Retail iPad price cuts hint at imminent iPad 2 release

Several major retailers have slashed prices for the iPad or run out of stock of current models, suggesting that the iPad 2 could be just weeks away.

Carphone Warehouse is completely out of stock of all 3G models and has only the 64GB Wi-Fi version left in stock online, while Orange has cut pricing of the tablet on a 24-month contract to £99.

However, an Orange spokesperson said that the price reduction will run for a "limited time only". Carphone Warehouse said that it had no comment to make on the situation.

T-Mobile has also reduced the cost of the iPad for existing customers to £99, but did not reply to a request for comment on this move.

Ovum principal analyst Tony Cripps believes it fairly likely that the iPad 2 will be released soon, and said that it is understandable that resellers are clearing stock of the original model.

"It's no doubt the case that companies that currently hold significant inventory of first-generation iPads will be looking to sell them before the new version is released," he said.

"If the iPhone is anything to go by, Apple will already be scaling down production of first-generation iPads, if it hasn't ceased production already. The company manages its own inventory very tightly."

Analysys Mason analyst Steve Hilton expressed surprise that the iPad 2 had not been announced already, and suggested that Apple may be deliberately heightening anticipation.

"Apple should have announced the iPad 2 already. The iPad was announced over a year ago, and Apple is pretty straightforward with product launches," he said.

"I'd say an announcement is around the corner. Obviously Apple can hold off its anticipation, but the question is: can the adoring public?"

The iPad 2 is expected to have a front-facing camera to allow video-calling and support for HDMI cables and SD cards.

However, a report from Reuters today revealed that the device may actually be delayed till as late as June due to a change in production processes causing bottlenecks at Apple hardware manufacturer Hon Hai's plant.