iPad Pro Release Date: 12.9" Apple Tablet 'Shelved' Indefinitely, Could Be Launched Next Year

More than a year ago, reports surfaced that Apple is working on a huge 12.9-inch tablet that is expected to be a game changer in the industry. However, the rumor only made quite a fuzz by the end of 2013 and during the first half of this year. 

Then, in January Samsung announced its own 12.2-inch slate dubbed the Galaxy Note Pro 12.2 which is certainly a monster when it comes to size and specs. However, recent reports claim that the Note Pro 12.2 has not been doing well in terms of sales. 

Aside from the fact that the tablet is too expensive, even for something that comes out of Samsung, the tablet's size has also been encountering issues in application compatibilities. 

In relation to this, DigiTimes reported that Apple has allegedly 'shelved' the 12.9-inch iPad Pro. 

"However, most of the large-size tablet projects face difficulties because of lack of support from related platform developers and ecosystems. Apple has also been said to shelved its large-size tablet project," DigiTimes said in a report.

However, it is still unclear whether the iPad Pro has been discontinued for good, or shelved indefinitely until the 'time is right'. 

As for KGI Securities analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, Apple is still working on the bigger iPad tablet, but now it will probably be launched next year so the development has tremendously slowed down while Apple focuses on its upcoming devices this year including the iPhone 6, the new iPads, the iWatch and others. 

It could also be that the iPad Pro was really a diversionary tactic by Apple to force Samsung to launch a rather unwaranted device just to say that it has 'beaten' the Cupertino manufacturer yet again in the first-to-launch department.

For many years, Apple has been very good at observing people, particularly its competitors. And surely, it has a plan that would once again remind us all why it is considered the top brand today.