iPad Pro Release Date Moved to 2016? The Latest Details on Price, Specs & Features Here [Rumors]

Contrary to earlier claims, a new rumor puts the iPad Pro's launch in 2016, Macworld reported. Followers would remember that the mega-sized tablet is expected to appear in Apple's upcoming WWDC event, along with the refresh of the 15-inch Retina MacBook Pro.

Still, the Cupertino giant has not confirmed these things, so they remain best taken with healthy pinches of salt.

In March, Bloomberg cited "people with knowledge of the matter," who claimed that production of the device kicks off around September.

According to Computerworld, a move to ship the new iPad in September or later "makes sense." The outlet gives consideration to the possibility of Apple introducing new enterprise-focused SDKs in iOS 9 at the WWDC. Until then, developers could have at least three months to get themselves familiar with the ecosystem -- before the Cupertino giant drops the long-awaited tablet once and for all.

It's long been said that the iPad Pro will come at a gigantic measurement of 12.9 inches. In Macworld's article, the device is believed to sport a number of exciting features, including Force Touch. Under the hood, the technology is speculated to have a new silver nanowire material, pegged for use in thinner touch panels.

Silver nanowire-based touch films have several advantages over the currently-used indium tin oxide designs, AppleInsider wrote. They're said to be "exceptionally" clear and flexible.

Apple has already employed Force Touch in its newest MacBook. "The new Force Touch trackpad may look like other trackpads on the surface, but underneath it's unlike anything that's existed before," Apple describes.

"The sensory capabilities of the Force Touch trackpad allow you to tell your MacBook what you want it to do based on subtle differences in the amount of pressure you apply. This makes it possible to perform a variety of different actions in different apps, all on the same surface," the company wrote.

The iPad Pro is also expected to sport a built-in NFC chip for Apple Pay, a USB Type C port, a stylus and IGZO panels, Computerworld noted.

Foxconn sources have already indicated that Apple is experimenting on 2K and 4K displays, Yibada said. The outlet also mentioned some other purported specs, such as Intel's new Broadwell processor, an A8X or A9 processor and sapphire glass displays.

Interestingly, there are also claims of OS X making its way into the iPad Pro, Yibada cited. The outlet talks about a Digitimes report, which cited two prototypes of the device being tested -- one running the iPad-conventional iOS, and another sporting the Mac software.

Considering its size, the iPad Pro is touted to sell more than the iPad Air 2 does, The Inquirer noted. ValueWalk cited a predicted cost beginning at $699, with expected 16 GB, 64 GB and 128 GB storage options.

What do you think of the iPad Pro? Will the new tablet raise Apple's declining iPad sales? Share your thoughts in the comments section.