This is good news, because I don’t think Apple is likely to issue us such a momentous tease without something substantial in the works. The original iPad went on sale on 3 April 2010, suggesting that the timing of the 2 March event would work with the annual cycle of launching the newer version of the product.

Apple sold almost 15 million units through its first fiscal quarter , which ended Dec. 25. The device accounted for 17 percent of revenue in the period, compared with 39 percent for the iPhone, which first reached the market in 2007.

“The tablet becomes the next growth starter for the next two years for Apple,” said Scott Sutherland [analyst at Wedbrush Securities Inc.], who rates Apple shares “outperform” and doesn’t own any. “The company is releasing a second edition while many competitors are introducing their first tablets,” he said.

There is also widespread speculation that there will be a healthier battery life, and the tablet will be slimmer and lighter. That means that not only the fiendish geeks like me are satisfied (because it’ll fit snugly into my satchel), but the product is also being brought in line to suit the “burgeoning demand” from corporates.

No doubt this means that we’ll have to wait around nine months for a South African release, as the iPad was launched here at the end of January 2011.

Have you got any interesting iPad stories? Sound off in the comments section below.

[Source: Businessweek]

Main image via Popsci.