DigiTimes today reported that next generation iPad would be available in next 3-4 months, based on supply chain info they received from industrial sources. According to DigiTimes:

OEM production of iPad 2 will remain high at 14-15 million units in the fourth quarter of 2011 but decline to 4-5 million units in the first quarter of 2012, paving the way for the launch of the new iPads, the sources noted.

After reading this vague report, we contacted our Apple news sources and according to them, next generation iPad 3 will ship before end of first quarter 2012 for sure. Our sources say, “the only thing that can delay this launch is the next generation A6 processor”, which Apple will use in iPad 3. Every other major component required for iPad 3 is in mass production, including the ultra high resolution LCD screen.

Rumors are that the new A6 processor will be a quad-core chip with updated quad-core graphics engine, offering four times the performance of the current A5 chip. Apple wanted to manufacture this chip using 28nm process technology, but because both TSMC and Samsung have yet not started full-scale production of high-end 28nm ARM processors, iPad launch might be delayed.

However, Samsung says that they will start full-scale production of 28nm chips by end of this year, which should allow Apple to announce iPad 3 before end of Q1 2012.