With huge supply chains and components made by multiple manufacturers, modern gadgets are difficult devices for companies to keep under wraps before launch. Apple's forthcoming tablet refresh is not immune to this, and the latest rumblings from manufacturer sources suggest the next iPad is just around the corner.

　　Maybe the third time will be the charm. Like, even more of a charm. The charmest? Digitimes reports that iPad 2 manufacturing is slated to be reduced by about two-thirds starting in the first quarter of 2012 as iPad 3 manufacturing ramps up for a March or April launch. The outlet cites supply chain sources as saying shipment numbers for iPad 2 will decline from 14-15 million units in the current quarter to 4-5 million in the first quarter of 2012.

　　The next iPad iteration is rumored to have a 2048x1536-resolution screen, effectively quadrupling the pixels in the iPad 2. As reported by GameSpot sister site CNET, other rumored features include an A6 processor, Siri integration, a slightly thicker device, and even a stereoscopic 3D screen.