iPad Pro Release Date & Specs: 12.9-inch Screen Tablet Set for 2015?

Apple is reportedly planning to release a new iPad early next year with reports indicating that the new device might feature a massive 12.9-inch display.

Bloomberg, citing an unnamed source close to the company's thinking, reported on Tuesday that Apple has a plan in place to release the 12.9-inch device, which some sources have called the "iPad Pro."

The rumored iPad Pro will feature a screen that is bigger than the 9.7-inch iPad Air and 7.9-inch iPad mini. But aside from larger displays, the source declined to provide more details about the new device.

Sources also indicated that Apple has been working together with their main suppliers to produce a large touch-screen device over the past several months in the hopes of improving their tablet sales.

Apple CEO Tim Cook made it no secret that the Cupertino, California-based company has been looking for innovative ways to improve their iPad lines after having significant drop on total tablet sales. The company recently struck a partnership deal with IBM as part of their bid to improve their market share in the next several years, Zdnet noted. 

KGI Securities analysts Ming-Chi Kuo also told Apple Insider earlier this year that Apple is indeed planning to release a 12.9-inch iPad, but it is unlikely to come out in 2014 because the company needs to develop an operating system to maximize the advantage of having larger display.

Aside from the rumored iPad pro, much-improved versions of the iPad Air and iPad mini will also reportedly hit stores before the end of the year.

"Apple's suppliers recently started manufacturing an updated 9.7-inch screen iPad, and were also set to enter production of a new version of the iPad mini, people familiar with the plans have said, with the devices set to be available later this year in time for the holiday season," Bloomberg reported.

Sales of Apple tablets reportedly dropped over the past six months allegedly because of lack of improvements and new features, forcing consumers to settle with smartphones with larger screens.

Previous reports indicated that the company will also release iPhones with larger displays. Sources said in June that the iPhone will hit stores in two variants - one with a 5.5-inch display and another one with a 4.7-inch display.

Wall Street Journal reported earlier this month that Apple scheduled an event on Sept. 9 where the new iPhones, and possibly the improved iPad Air and iPad mini, which are expected to feature Apple's Touch ID fingerprint sensor, are expected to be introduced to consumers.