Apple Inc. (AAPL) Readying Its Next Tablet For Summer Production?

Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL) has been talked about many times for sending out indications that it will introduce at least four new devices this year. One of them was slated to be a new iPad 5. While the rumor had been swirling for weeks, there have been virtually no specifics. However, there is a new rumor that apparently has some vague specifics to it. If that makes any sense at all.

The latest rumor is that production on an Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL) iPad 5  is due to begin sometime in the summer, – in the July-August window – which means a launch could come sometime in October, staying consistent with recent major product launches in the last couple of years. However, the rumor was reported by a Taiwanese tech news site that apparently has been hit-or-miss when it comes to Apple. The story comes from sources  supposedly within the supply chain – though the sources aren’t specifically spelled out.

The talk is that Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL) is designing an iPad that will be lighter and thinner than iPad 4. However, Apple has already  surprised many of us with its iPad releases, so how reliable this information is remains to be seen. After all, Apple had  presented a surprise by releasing three iPad models within a year – the iPad 3 in March of last year, followed by the iPad 4 in October, and then the iPad Ultra (the 128-GB model) just this past February. At least a couple of these came out when we weren’t ready or expected them at all through the supply chain. Previous talk had an iPad “event” slated to happen perhaps sometime this month.

And with Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL) “suffering” with tighter margins now than ever before – despite setting  company records for revenue and earnings last quarter – thanks to the success of the iPad Mini and talk of a cheaper iPhone coming to further tighten margins, it would seem like high time for a new iPad to come out – one with some new innovations  that can push demand up and increase those margins back to the healthy levels that Apple as used to enjoying.

What are your thoughts about Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL) and where it goes from here? Does the company need a new iPad, and if you were developing it, what features or hardware would you like to see it have? Let us know your thoughts in the comments section below.

For a longer look at some of the upcoming products Apple may having in its pipeline, check out our exclusive analysis.

DISCLOSURE: I own no positions in any stock mentioned.