According to the Japanese Website Macotakara, the picture above is a Case for the Next Generation iPad. They also claim that the next generation iPad will be thicker and therefore will not be compatible with all current iPad 2 cases. They believe that the front screen will be the same as the other iPads, with the same types of corners and bezel as well. I am very sceptic about this rumor, what do you guys think.

Sharp already supplies iPhone panels and is also said to be supplying panels for the next iPhone which is also due next year. Now the The Wall Street Journal also reported that Apple will be using Sharp as a source of display parts for the upcoming iPad 3.

Apple Inc. is adding Sharp Corp. as a maker of screens used in the next-generation iPad, people familiar with the situation said Thursday, as the U.S. consumer electronics company moves to diversify component suppliers for its products.

According to their source, Apple is also investing in Sharps panel manufacturing factories in Japan. » More Confirmation Of Sharp Supplying iPad 3 Displays

Taiwan Economic News reported on Tuesday that the battery pack for iPad 3, scheduled to be massively produced in the first quarter of next year is redesigned to be thinner and lighter and will have a longer service life than iPad 2 edition. It is also claimed to have a longer service life than the previous packs. There is also a down side of this upgrade because the price of the packs will jump with 20 a 30 procent. » New iPad 3 Battery Thinner, Lighter & Longer Service Life