Report claims 12.9” iPads to be delayed until next year

Ever since the first rumor last year, there have been a lot of controversial whispers about Apple's supposed iPad "Pro", which would come with a large 12.9" display. While some, more optimistic, techies are hoping to see the new slate at the Apple event, scheduled for October the 16th, others say it will not be announced before our calendars reach 2015, and some even claim that the idea has been shelved altogether, due to the general fall in tablet sales in the past months and lack of proper support from developers.

Today, the WSJ claims in a report that the maxi-sized tablet will not be ready for a 2014 launch, because Apple's suppliers are hard at work, producing iPhone 6 units en masse, in an attempt to meet the strong demand. According to the unnamed sources, Apple was planning to start mass production of the 12.9” iPads this December, which would be an interesting move, as such a late start of production would definitely miss the holiday season and end up in the financial pit that is the beginning of the new year.

Of course, Apple could be looking to launch the device, if it even exists, together with the Apple Watch, which is supposed to go on sale some time early next year. It would make sense to host another event for the Watch, when it finally launches, but only if there is another product to introduce alongside it, so the event doesn't lack in content.

Whether a large, production-oriented iPad is in the pipeline, is an arguable matter. After all – tablets, and especially Apple's offerings – are most often associated with media-consuming devices that can assist one in small work tasks, but nothing huge. However, a move from Apple to create a more business-oriented unit could make sense, after the partnership it struck with IBM to provide enterprises with iOS devices, loaded with office-oriented apps.

What do you think? Do you believe that a plan for a 12.9” iPad even exists?

source: WSJ via iMore