iPad 3 March release rumors lead to iPad 2 price cuts

iPad 3 March release rumors have been swirling for a few weeks now, leading many to believe an upcoming announcement from Apple is coming soon – perhaps as early as the first week in March.

"Sources say the company has chosen the first week in March to debut the successor to the iPad 2, and will do so at one of its trademark special events," John Paczkowski, of All THings D, reported a few days ago in reference to Japanese website Macotakara revealing a "Special Event to launch the third-generation iPad in early March.

This speculation, neither confirmed nor denied by Apple, has led many retailers to begin slashing prices for the iPad 2 in hopes to move the tablet before the arrival of the next-gen iPad 3.

UK-based website, Metro, has reported US retailer Meijer prompted the price cuts with many others following suit. Carphone Warehouse and Orange, both in the UK, have announced the iPad 2 is completely out of stock.

Although no official word from Apple has been made regarding the iPad 3, these recent iPad 2 price cuts have added fuel to the March 2012 release rumor.

Recently leaked photos of what appears to be the iPad 3 outer casing have made their way around the internet leading many to believe the iPad 3 is already in full production and allegedly confirming previous rumored features like a hi-def Retina display from Sharp.