No iPad 3 in 2011?

Despite various rumours of Apple launching the iPad 3 this year, it appears the device won't be hitting the shelves until next year.

Apple supply chain partners revealed production of the iPad 3 has been cancelled, according to a DigiTimes report.

The delay may be to do with suppliers currently being unable to supply the technology for a 9.7 inch panel, featuring a 2,048x1,536 pixels resolution, according to the sources. LG, Samsung and Sharp are amongst Apple's supply partners.

As Apple can't control supply volume, the iPad 3 is unlikely to see the light of day this year, the sources said.

They said a 9.7in panel with high resolution requires a much more powerful backlight source too, which suppliers can't currently provide on the scale Apple would like.

Meanwhile, Apple may not be happy about a court ruling lifting the ban on Galaxy Tab 10.1 sales in Europe. Apple had won a court battle placing a preliminary ban on the device, but a German court has lifted the injunction.

The ban still applies in Germany, however, the Dusseldorf court ruled.

"We look forward to the opportunity to reassert our intellectual property rights at the hearing scheduled on 25 August," Samsung said.

Forrester Research recently claimed iPad rivals stand a better chance at competing with the Apple device in Europe than they do in the US, although they will need to cut prices.