Apple has once again reduced the amount of parts and the number of iPad 2 devices that they’re ordering from the manufacturer in Asia. This could indicate multiple things but the most likely indication is that Apple is in fact preparing for the release of the iPad 3 and thus phasing out the old iPad 2.
We still don’t have a solid release date for the iPad 3 but as January draws nearer we are beginning to see more and more signs that point towards a January or February release. Dozens of rumored release dates have circled the internet so all we can say for sure is that the iPad 3 will likely come out early in 2012, especially since Apple is already cutting back on their iPad 2 order numbers to cut inventory and begin moving them off of the shelves nationwide.