Should Apple fans expect to see the iPad Pro anytime soon?

A report released by the Taiwanese website Commercial Times said that the alleged 12.9-inch iPad Pro will be released sometime in the second quarter of 2015, after the next-generation iPad Air comes out earlier next year.

Though there is no certainty about the production of larger iPad tablets, Know Your Mobile mentioned that news about big iPads is actually not new. Back in 2012, somebody reported that Apple Inc. is working on a large iPad variety, and it will be dubbed as iPad Maxi. However, the report turned out to be a hoax.

In the second half of 2013, the rumors about large iPads resurfaced. This time, the reports are allegedly supported by credible insiders from the Cupertino, CA tech firm.

One of the reports published by Bloomberg says that Apple is indeed developing a bigger version of its iPad line, and mass production will begin in the first quarter of 2015.

Also, PC World revealed that the supposed iPad Pro is made specifically for professionals and business owners.

"A larger iPad could be a more effective tool for mobile business users, but only if Apple also addresses a few other issues," the article said.

Rumors are also saying that the larger iPad version is Apple's answer to Microsoft's Surface Pro 3.

Bloomberg also reported that Apple Inc.'s CEO Tim Cook made the decision to come up with bigger iPads after the device has started losing its luster in the market.

IDC analyst Jitesh Urbani pointed out that the large iPads will have a good market in the business, government, and academic niches.

In addition, PC World noted that if the so-called 12.9-inch iPad Pro will be released to the public with a $700 price tag, it will be a good competition against the Surface Pro 3 or Apple's own MacBook Air.

As of this writing, Apple is still mum about the verification of all these speculations.