If reports originating from parts suppliers are to be believed, Apple has already received one million 2048 x 1536 displays for the next generation iPad. LG Display, Samsung and Sharp are said to be working on an order of two million more display units for delivery this month.

The iPad 3 Retina display doubles display resolution in each direction on the 9.7-inch touch screen to 264 pixels per inch (ppi). Although the iPhone 4 Retina display comes in at 326 ppi, the smartphone is normally held closer to the eyes, requiring more resolution to eliminate the appearance of pixels. With four times the number of individual pixels the iPad 3 display will require more processing and battery power, possibly leading to a slightly thicker iPad 3.

The possibility of an iPad 3 launch later this fall is not a new concept. Reports as early as February claimed Apple would try to get a jump on the competition by launching an iPad 3 before Christmas. More evidence has appeared that seems to corroborate this claim.

If the screenshots of Target inventory computers found by TiPb are real, then the massive retail chain has already discontinued the iPad 2. Retail associates speaking to the blog claim that none of the current iPad models are slated to be ordered by the company going forward.

"Thinner and Lighter" seems to be the new buzz words when it comes to next generation Apple devices. Which is kind of funny when you think about it. Manufacturers worked so hard to shrink down mobile devices only to have Apple enlarge the iPhone with the introduction of their first tablet. Now a report from the Taiwan Economic News claims that the iPad 3 will feature a thinner and lighter battery.

The new battery will have a longer service life and is supposed to go into production next year. Simplo Technology Co. and Dynapack International Technology Corp will be producing the battery packs at a slight increase in price. According to 9to5Mac the new packs will cost 20% and 30% more than what the iPad 2 offers.

If you believe the latest Apple rumors, then you believe that the next generation iPhone will be here this October, and the iPad 3 will be close behind. According to the newest iPad 3 rumor published by the Taiwan Economic News, the iPad 3 will be released around Thanksgiving or early next year.

The report cited industry executives who believe that Apple will discount and discontinue the iPad 2 to make room for a new iPad to be released in the upcoming months. Asustek Computer Inc. is gearing up to take on the cheaper iPad 2 and iPad 3 by launching their own tablet PC to coincide with the iPad's current price points. The Asustek tablet is rumored to be lighter, thinner, feature more battery life and have quicker response time when starting up. But we've heard this all before.

Steve Jobs took the stage at today's Apple event to announce the next generation iPad. The iPad 2 features a 2X faster, power-sipping A5 dual-core processor and up to 9X faster graphics. Front and rear facing cameras for FaceTime video chat are included in a form factor that's 33 percent thinner than the original iPad.

Weight is reduced as well, with the iPad 2 shaving off 0.2 pounds from its predecessor. The device will ship in two colors, black and white with a metal back. White is pictured above in this photo from Engadget. Models will come in Verizon and AT&T cellular data versions for compatibility with either carrier's wireless technology.

More iPad 2 parts have been leaked to 9to5 Mac revealing a white iPad 2 bezel. This part is designed to surround the display, which on current iPad models only comes in black.

iPhone 4 fans have been waiting for a white model since last summer, and Apple has yet to deliver. Everything from manufacturing problems to incompatibilities with the camera have been cited to blame for the missing white iPhone 4. Now it appears that Apple will throw everyone for a loop and offer the next generation iPad in white.

Looks like 2011 will be the year of the iPad. This is according to an invitation sent out by Apple for a special media event on March 2nd at the Yerba Buena Center for the Arts in San Francsico. Seen below, the invitation clearly features an iPad in the background.

The timing is no accident, either. Apple's next generation iPad 2 launch coincides with this week's launch of the competing Motorola Xoom tablet. All of the attention will shortly be back on Apple and it's iPad in just days.

More leaked iPad 2 cases have arrived that confirm the next generation tablet will have a slimmer form factor. Various openings on the cases also show a rear-facing camera and other mysterious ports.

9to5 Mac got their hands on a silicone shell case, and they describe it as "crazy thin". Pictured here, the case features a hole slightly larger than an iPhone 4 camera on the back. Most observers expect the iPad 2 to launch with front and rear facing cameras and FaceTime.

Apple designs revealed by Patently Apple point to a future iPad bezel sensitive to touch. This smart bezel would replace the physical home button and add a variety of controls to the area surrounding the display.

Inside the smart bezel would be pressure, touch and other sensors along with status lights that would respond to multi-touch gestures. Replacing the home button currently found on iPad bezels would be just one of many possible uses for the new hardware.

Industry reports indicate that Apple will change its iPad 2 screen supplier to Samsung and may adopt new display technology in the process. Samsung Mobile Display revealed its Super Plane to Line Switching (PLS) LCD panel in November, and Apple is already rumored to have shown interest in the display.

Super PLS improves viewing angles over the already impressive In-Plane Switching (IPS) displays found on current iPad models. In addition, Samsung's PLS screens are at least 10 percent brighter than existing IPS components.