Rumor has it that Apple is developing a new version of iPad which is believed to be larger than the previous editions. The sales of desktop PCs are going down as more as people are looking forward to buy portable devices. Devices like smartphones and tablets are portable and also come with multiple features and high speed web connectivity. That is the reason why major brands are concentrating on producing tablet PCs.

The rumor has come from a Korean website ETNews.com. The large-sized iPad is going to be called iPad Maxi. It is going to be housed with 12.9 inch screen. The device will remain in production stage throughout this year. However, the iPad Maxi is expected to be unveiled in the first half of next year. The iPad Maxi is going to compete with Ultrabooks and digital notebooks. Since Apple has a strong foothold in U.S. market, it is pretty evident that this iDevice will surely achieve success in US.

Isn’t it strange for the rumor to come from Korea? The reason behind it is that Apple is going to partner with a Korean company for manufacturing displays and other components for the large-sized iPad Maxi. The older versions of iPad are all of 9.7inch size which makes it portable to carry it in your college or office bag. However, the rumored 12.9inch iPad Maxi will not be a portable device. Previously, it was also reported that the Apple is working on a slimmer version of iPad.

The iPad Mini which is smaller than the regular iPad is doing pretty well. In fact it is doing so well that it is eating up iPad’s market share. As we look at the current scenario, it would be better for Apple to concentrate on smaller edition of iPad rather than making large-sized iPad which can get mixed reactions.

If Apple officially announces about the iPad Maxi, developers have to work on altering the apps to suit the large-sized display. Currently, other companies like HP, Dell and Asus have all released large-sized tablets with sizes ranging from 18inch to 22inch. These tablets are actually family-oriented tablets which support 10-point multitouch.

It seems like Apple’s 12.9inch iPad Maxi will land in no man’s land. However, considering the fact that Apple is ruling the tablet market in US, it seems many will be enticed to purchase the new iPad. In Asian countries, tablets powered with Android are quite famous and they are available at much lower prices.

In the first three months of this year, 49.2 million tablets were shipped out of which 19.5 million were Apple iPad. In the month of March, 59.6% Android tablets were shipped and 39.6% iPads were shipped. Windows powered tablets only accounted for 3.7% of the total tablets shipped.