It seems that 24 hours can't pass in 2012 without a fresh batch of iPad 3 rumours surfacing.

Japanese blog Macotakara has obliged with unconfirmed reports that the next iteration of the iPad will mirror the iPhone 4S update, in that it'll look almost identical, although being slightly thicker to accommodate new internal components.

If it ain't broke

Of course, the real changes will be made under the hood.

Predictably these include a faster A6 processor and better front and rear cameras, and there are also whispers of a Sharp-produced 2048 x 1536-pixel resolution screen.

Apple contractors Foxconn Electronics and Pegatron Technology are apparently due to start the manufacturing ball rolling in order to meet an early March launch deadline.

The report also indicates that the iPad 3 (or iPad 2S depending on what marketing decides) assembly process will fall mainly upon Pegatron, as it commits to 85 percent of the work, with Foxconn doing the rest.

These rumours clash somewhat with those surfacing from DigiTimes earlier in the week, however, as there was no mention of there also being a low resolution version made available at a cheaper price.

[source: Macotakara and 9to5Mac]