Following several reports and rumors over the last year, Bloomberg is reporting today that Apple is preparing to release a larger 12.9-inch iPad in early 2015. We’ve seen several reports as far back as last year claiming that Apple has been preparing a larger iPad somewhere in the neighbourhood of 12-inches. The Wall Street Journal reported in July of last year that Apple was testing iPads with “a display “measuring slightly less than 13 inches diagonally.” Another report from the Korea Times last year claimed that Apple was planning a larger 12.9-inch tablet that was being prepared for release early this year.
Apple Inc.’s suppliers are preparing to manufacture the company’s largest-ever iPad, with production scheduled to commence by the first quarter of next year, according to people with knowledge of the matter. The new iPad will have a screen measuring 12.9 inches diagonally, said the people, who asked not to be identified because the details aren’t public. Apple currently produces iPads with 9.7-inch and 7.9-inch displays. The Cupertino, California-based company has been working with suppliers for at least a year to develop a new range of larger touch-screen devices, said the people. Trudy Muller, a spokeswoman for Apple, declined to comment. Apple Chief Executive Officer Tim Cook is working to shake up the iPad line. Sales of the tablets, which are Apple’s second-biggest product by revenue after the iPhone, have declined for two straight quarters amid a lack of new models and as consumers have instead gravitated to smartphones with bigger screens. Apple’s suppliers recently started manufacturing an updated 9.7-inch-screen iPad, and were also set to enter production of a new version of the iPad mini, people familiar with the plans have said, with the devices set to be available later this year in time for the holiday season.
