iPad 3 rumoured to launch first week of March: Here are the biggest rumours so far

The next version of the iPad will be announced during the first week of March, a new report has claimed, in what could be the company’s first major product launch of the year and the second since founder Steve Jobs passed away.

A number of rumours have flooded the tech industry over the past few weeks, with some supposed components leaked showing what could be included in the company’s next gadget.

The new report from All Things Digital claims that, according to unnamed sources, Apple will launch the new iPad 3 model in an announcement during the first week of March. As usual, the event is scheduled to be held at the Yerba Buena Center for the Arts, which has housed several major Apple announcements before.

Those same sources have also told the publication the iPad will contain a faster processor, along with a high resolution display akin to the screen on the iPhone 4 and 4S models.

Apple has launched both iPad models during the first quarter of the year in 2010 and 2011, with analysts suspecting the company to remain true to form this year as well.

Various rumours would suggest this as well, many of which have been pointing towards a first quarter launch.

Several rumours have been published in the months leading up to the announcement. Most recently, Cult of Mac has published new pictures of what is reported to be several components of the new iPad 3 casing.

The pictures show images of the case’s rear shell, which is rumoured to be roughly the same size as the current model.

Meanwhile, another blog, Macotakara, has reported images of a new 9.7-inch display with a display panel at a resolution of 2,048 x 1,536. Rumours have stated for some time Apple plans on introducing a retina-style display, powered by a quad-core A6 processor.

This also comes alongside another rumour Apple is planning to make its Mac products high-resolution as well.

Meanwhile, RepairLabs has posted pictures of new components that suggest the iPad will include a larger battery, which also gel with rumours from back in December. Those pictures from RepairLabs also suggest a different camera, along with a different front-facing display.

Also, a separate rumour suggests iOS version 5.1 could launch on Friday, March 9. According to YourDailyMac, a reference to the release was found in code. Such a launch would suggest an iPad announcement could be made merely days before.

If an iPad 3 announcement were to take place in early March, a press invitation could be expected within the next fortnight.