The rumor which we are about to share with you geekians is one of the most wildest and bizarre rumor we have ever come across. Just think on this for a second – the Cupertinos plan to unleash iPad 3 in fall of 2011, or to put it more conveniently for you at the annual iPod event.

iPad 2 mockup

This wildest bit of speculation comes via Mr. Reliable John Gruber, who sees Apple taking this hard to believe step in an attempt to boost its holiday season earnings:

Apple will move the iPad to a September release schedule, alongside the iPods. But they wouldn’t want to wait over a year and a half from the announcement of the original iPad to announce the second one — not with these stakes, and not with so many serious competitors trying their best to catch up.

So, here’s my guess at Apple’s iPad plans for 2011:

  • An iPad 2, fairly soon. Say, a March announcement, shipping in the first week of April. Faster, more RAM, maybe more storage, thinner and lighter, a front-facing camera.1 Running iOS 4.3.
  • iOS 5, announced at a developer event in March, shipping in June.
  • iPad 3, shipping in September, announced at the annual iPod event. Running iOS 5.1, same as the next-generation iPod Touch.

If Apple goes ahead with its multiple iPad launch plan for the year 2011, what changes will the iPad 2 successor have? According to Gruber, iPad 3 is highly likely to get a Retina Display.

Personally speaking, I find it really strange to see iPad 3 rumors surface even before the official launch of the iPad 2, let alone the release for the 2nd gen Tablet. What about you?

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