Apple not expected to raise prices for iPad 3

With Apple expected to announce the iPad 3 on Wednesday, we’re on rumor patrol here at the Technology Blog.

The latest buzz is that Apple will not raise prices for the highly anticipated tablet and will keep its current pricing structure for all iPad 3 models, according to 9to5Mac.

“Even better, some countries with currencies doing better than the U.S. dollar should expect to see marginal drops in prices,” the blog said.

That’s good news for the hordes of shoppers expected to line up for the tablet once it’s released and is in line with Apple’s usual approach of keeping prices the same even as it updates popular products.

And if you’re in the market for an iPad 2, you’ll probably be able to score one at a discounted price soon. When the iPad 2 was released, the price of the original iPad was dropped by about $100 until it sold out. Already, Best Buy has discounted the iPad 2 by $50.

Current prices for the iPad 2 on Apple’s website are $499 for a 16GB Wi-Fi-only device, $599 for a 32GB and $699 for a 64GB. With 3G service from a wireless carrier, the respective prices are $629, $729 and $829.

Last month, Apple emailed invitations to media members for an event Wednesday in San Francisco. The invitation didn’t say specifically that the next iPad will make its debut, but does feature an image of a hand touching the iPad’s Calendar app icon for Wednesday, along with the message, “We have something you really have to see. And touch.”

Just as with Apple’s previous two iPad launch events, the presentation will take place at the Yerba Buena Center for the Arts.

The iPad 2 was unveiled March 2, 2011, and went on sale the next week. The first iPad was introduced Jan. 27, 2010, and arrived in stores April 3 of that year.

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