As Apple continues to release new editions of devices for its phone and tablet lines, hopes are steadily growing dimmer that the Cupertino-based company will continue the iPad Air line after all.

According to the latest post by IT Pro, the lack of news about the device is not a good indication that the iPad Air 3 will be released this year since it has been two years since the last in the line, the iPad Air 2 was released. It was initially hoped that the iPad Air 3 was going to be released along with the iPad Pro last year but instead, Apple opted to go with an iPad Pro 9.7, with features earlier attributed to the iPad Air 3.

Meanwhile, there are still those who are holding out hope that until the October-November 2016 window comes to a close, there may still be a chance that Apple could release the next version of the iPad Air.

However, a report by Macworld UK hinted that if the iPad Pro 2's second anniversary comes and goes without new information from Apple, then Apple may have already lost interest in continuing the line for its Air brand, and permanently replaced the niche with the iPad Pro line as earlier speculated by pundits.

This was not the first time that the idea has been floated in the rumor mill as the BitBag earlier hinted that Apple was looking at replacing the iPad Air line with the iPad Mini 5 in the face of a steadily more competive market in the tablet market.

The site further cited leaked information from manufacturers who refused to share information about the tablets, but instead opted to speak about the iPad Pro and iPhone 7 specs.

Also, it has been said that it would be more practical for the company to focus on producing hybrid tablets that could be more marketable.