Rumor: iPad 3 will be revealed early February

The latest scuttlebutt in the Apple community is that Apple is planning a major event for the early part of next month.

A Japanese blog called Macotakara reportedly cites sources as saying the event will also unveil the latest edition of iOS, version 5.1, with a launch date of March.

This is the latest in a flurry of rumors about the next generation of Apple’s successful tablet platform. Just yesterday, it was reported that the device was already in the beginning stages of production.

As for the actual features of the iPad 3, those remain a mystery but there have been some solid leads on what to expect.

For starters, it’s likely to have connectivity with high-speed 4G LTE networks on AT&T, Verizon, and Sprint.

Additionally, Apple will have a brand new display technology that will blow the iPad 2 out of the water.

In order to accommodate such a powerful display, though, Apple will need a more powerful backlighting system. As such, according to a report on iLounge.com, there will be an additional light bar under the hood of the new tablet.

That will force the device to be 0.7mm thicker than the super slim iPad 2. Surely for any Apple fan, though, that won’t be a deterrent for owning what will be the highest-resolution tablet on the market.

We will get the real scoop any day now – apparently in just a few weeks.