Report: iPad 3 headed into production

Now that Apple Inc.'s latest iPhone, the 4S, is out in stores, is the next iteration of the iPad tablet coming soon? A financial analyst quoting supply chain checks said Apple is increasing its fourth-quarter production from 11 to 13 million to 12 to 14 million. “Since our last month supply chain checks we are now seeing 600,000 to one million iPad 3 builds showing up on the plan for the fourth quarter of calendar 2011," All Things Digital quoted Susquehanna Financial analyst Jeff Fidacaro as saying. Fidacaro said their previous estimate did not include any iPad 3s. He also believes Apple shipped 11.5 million iPads in the third quarter and will likely ship 13 million in the fourth. The iPad, which dominates the tablet market, is one of Apple's most popular devices to date. AllThingsD said preparations for Apple’s next big product launch may already be under way, presumably with an eye toward an early 2012 launch. It noted Apple had launched the iPad 2 in March this year. — LBG, GMA News