Apple may not release 12.9-inch iPad or 3rd gen iPad mini in 2014

The Apple rumor mill is always running full steam. The two big topics of discussion for 2014 have been the iPhone 6 and the possible 12.9-inch iPad Pro. Unfortunately, a new bit of rumor is claiming that the iPad Pro and the 3rd generation iPad mini might not see the market this year. And, word has it that the upgrades to the iPad Air will be exactly what you expect.

Analyst Ming-Chi Kuo of KGI Securities is now predicting that Apple tablet shipments are going to drop this year. Kuo expects that Apple will only refresh the iPad Air, rather than push more tablets like an update to the iPad mini or the new iPad Pro. Kuo thinks the chances are "slim" for an iPad mini this year. He also thinks that because it will focus on finishing the software for the iWatch, Apple won't be able to finish the software for the iPad Pro.

Of course, Kuo also tempered these more risky predictions with one that is just logic. He says that the next iPad Air will feature an A8 processor and a TouchID sensor. That's as safe a bet as you can get.