Apple is holding a product event later this month in New York – and since the Christmas buy-a-palooza is just past, it’s looking unlikely that they’re going to be announcing any new hardware just yet. Instead, Apple seems set to refurbish iBooks, their eBook retail platform, with a couple of new publishing options.

Obviously, Apple sort of likes surprising people with stuff, so any reports coming in now are subject to change – but the consensus seems pretty clear that we’re not liable to see any sort of iPad 3 launch this early in the year, with a greater emphasis on Apple’s mobile advertising and publishing software, namely iAds and iBooks.

Says AllThingsD:

…some kind of advertising or even publishing announcement, … since Apple SVP of Internet Software and Services Eddy Cue is reportedly involved.

Cue is in charge of a large swath of Apple’s media units, including the iTunes Store, App Store, iBookstore, as well as iAd and its iCloud services.

It’s well known in the ad industry that Apple has been searching for a new head of its mobile advertising unit, since Andy Miller left last summer.

All of which is largely speculative – but those of you who acquired new Apple hardware over the festive season can rest relatively easy in the knowledge that it’ll at least be another six months before your stuff is obsolete.

[Source: SlashGear]