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iPad Air Plus, iPad Pro Release Date, Rumors & Price: 12-inch Tab Delayed Till September, Launching With New iPhone 6S, iPhone 7? [Rumors]

Apple has been rumored to be working on a redesigned, larger iPad and once again, it's reported to be delayed

In a new report, Bloomberg says that the production of the 12-inch iPad, dubbed as the "iPad Pro" or "iPad Air Plus," has been pushed back -- yet again. According to the source, who remains anonymous, Apple was expecting the tablet to begin production during this quarter but due to an issue with display panel supplies, release has been delayed.

"Production of the 12.9-inch-screen iPad is now scheduled to start around September because of delays involving the supply of display panels, said one of the people, who asked not to be identified because the details aren't public. Apple had initially planned to begin making the larger version this quarter, people familiar those plans had said."

With the declining sales in the iPad tablet line, the effort to create the oversized/ larger iPad is said to be Apple CEO Tim Cook's effort to put life back into the declining product line.

In addition to fierce competition and minimal design upgrades, Apple is said to be enjoying a bitter-sweet victory with the iPhone 6 and 6 Plus success. Apparently while the new smartphones have smashed sales records, the larger devices have cut int the sales of the iPad with many users opting for the larger iPhone 6 Plus to function as both a tablet and a smartphone.

Bad-Luck Line?

This isn't the first time that the production, and subsequently, the release date have been pushed back for the rumored larger iPad. Per Mac Rumors, last year, the iPad Pro was targeted for an early 2015 launch but because of the massive demand for the iPhone 6 Plus in November, Apple had to focus on the smartphone production. The big iPad was pushed back until Q2 of 2015.

Now, with reports of a September 2015 production timeline, the site notes that the iPad Pro could hit the shelves much later, possibly the end of the year.

A late year release opens up the opportunity for Apple to announce the anticipated iPad Pro with its next-generation iPhone usually announced mid-September. There are rumors that an iPhone will be launched along with the Apple Watch this week but based on history, new iPhones are unveiled by Apple in September.

iPad Pro/ iPad Air Plus Features

The Cupertino-based firm is believed to be developing a tablet that could measure either 12.2- or 12.9-inches. This would make it the largest of a three-variant iPad line -- the 9.7-inch iPad Air and the 7.9-inch iPad mini.

The iPad Pro is said to be targeting a more enterprise-geared market. These users will most likely appreciate the larger hardware features along with the better specs for business and professional purposes.

No price has been pegged for the large iPad but it is expected to be a few hundred dollars more than the iPad Air line.


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