It was previously rumoured that Apple iPad 3 event will take place in February. The source of this rumour now claims that Apple's next iPad will come in March. Source also adds that the company has an "unusual" event planned for the month of February.
Macotakara.jp, the source of today's rumour, previously said that Apple will announce iPad 3 in February. The company would then begin shipping as scheduled in March. A February announcement was rumoured because due to Chinese New Year celebrations, factories are shut down in the country for one whole week. Making an announcement first will provide Apple with the leverage it needs to maintain hype and start shipping as planned.
The source now contradicts itself and claims that Apple iPad 3 event will take place in March as previously planned. It also adds that Apple has an unusual event planned for February. However it further adds that there are not going to be any product announcements at this event. We highly doubt that Apple will go through the trouble of organizing an event for iOS 5.1 release, which is also reportedly coming out in February.
Last month Apple organized an education event in New York City. iBooks 2 with textbook support for iPad was announced, along with other education related announcements. If this rumour is anything to go by, then this unusual February event might be industry related instead of being product related. Nevertheless the Apple iPad 3 event will surely be in March 2012.
Apple usually follows its product release cycles. iPad 2 was announced and released in March 2011. There's a big possibility that Apple iPad 3 event will happen in March regardless of any hurdles that the company might face along the way. The fact remains though, you just don't know it with Apple. We'll only know for sure when the company itself tells us.