iPad 3 to be unveiled at private Apple event on March 7, 2012

It looks like Apple is planning to announce the iPad 3 at a "special event" in California next week.

Apple has sent emails to journalists today, inviting them to a private in San Francisco on March 7th, at 10 a.m. Pacific Time, where they are expected to unveil the highly anticipated iPad 3.

The invitation, which can be seen above, includes a photo of something using an iPad, with a line that reads: "We have something you really have to see.  And touch."

Oh, Apple, you and your clever marketing lines.

Despite the insane amount of rumors we've had surrounding a March release (via) of the iPad 3, this is the first we've seen from Apple officially announcing something, albeit in the form of an invite.  Earlier this month, Japanese website Macotakara mentioned Apple was planning a "Special Event to launch the third-generation iPad in early March".

The third generation iPad looks to arrive about a year after the release of the iPad 2.  While know one knows the exact changes the iPad 3 will bring, earlier spec rumors point to a "A device similar in form factor to the iPad 2, but running a much faster chip, sporting an improved graphics processing unit, and featuring a 2048×1536 Retina Display — or something close to it."

As for pricing, no one knows for sure but it is rumored that the iPad 3 could see a price hike close around $70 to $80 more than the price of the original iPad 2 ($499).  Of course, with the arrival of the third generation iPad, both older models will likely get a price cut.  After Apple announced the iPad 2, it began selling the original iPad for $399.

[The Verge, The Loop]