iPad Pro 2014 Release Date Rumors: Early 2015 Launch Predicted for Apple's 12.9-inch iPad Pro

Various sources are claiming that Apple will launch its 12.9-inch iPad Pro early next year to boost the sale of its largely dormant iPad line.

Sources from Bloomberg say initial component work on the large tablet is underway with full blast production scheduled for the first quarter of next year.

"Potential customers for larger-screen iPads are businesses, where the device could take on more tasks of a traditional laptop computer," a source said.

Sources say the iPad Pro will probably be introduced together with the iPad Mini 3.

They say that iPad Air Pro wil supposedly sport a 12.9-inch Retina display and might be designed to compete with convertible and hybrid tablets like the Microsoft Surface Pro 3, Asus Transformer Book T100, Lenovo Yoga Pro 2 and the likes, with a keyboard dock and laptop-like functions.

An Apple convertible tablet is also highly possible with its iOS 8 offering a wide range of integration between devices.

At the same time, reports are also circulating that Apple is preparing for the launch of its first 12-inch MacBook Air, which will feature a touch display. The MacBook Air will thus become the first laptop-tablet hybrid from Apple. They said its size may range somewhere between the 11-inch and 13-inch MacBook Air.

Some rumors indicate that the 12.9-inch iPad Pro and the 12-inch MacBook Air may turn out to be just one device.

Apple's iPad used to dominate the tablet market but lost ground to cheaper Android-powered competitors. Just like the Android's advances in the smartphone market, Apple found itself unable to compete with cheaper tablet brands. As a result, Apple's market share dipped from 53 percent in to 2013 to 36 percent this year.

To somehow regain its footing in the tablet market, Apple is preparing to unveil its latest iPad. The gadget has drawn much anticipation not only from Apple fans but also from Apple competitors, chief among them the Korean tech giant Samsung.

Thinking that Apple would release its latest 12.9-inch iPad Pro early this year, Samsung thought of challenging its American rival by coming out first with its own high-end Android table Galaxy Note Pro 12.2.

However, to Samsung's consternation, Apple delayed the release of its large tablet. Samsung found itself as the only brand selling a 12.2-inch slate in the high-end market. Surprisingly, despite the lack of stiff competition, the Samsung tablet did not draw that much enthusiasm from the public.