As Apple’s iPad continues to sit atop the tablet market, a new report says the computer company is already ordering parts for the device’s next iteration.

The Wall Street Journal reports sources say Apple is hoping to release the newest iPad in early 2012. Judging by the ordered components, its screen will remain the same 9.7″ it is now, but it will offer a higher resolution — 2048 x 1536 compared with the iPad 2’s 1024 x 768.

One source tells the Journal that Apple has already placed orders for parts for about 1.5 million iPad 3s in the fourth quarter.

It remains to be seen if the iPad 3 will include oft-requested features like USB ports or expandable storage memory. Given Apple’s history of not providing these features on its portable devices, it would seem unlikely.

Apple Developing New iPad [WSJ]

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