Robot Made iPad 3 Coming This Fall with iPhone 5?

Rumors about Apple breaking away from their traditional launch cycle have been floating about since before the iPad 2 surfaced, but the latest rumors suggest iPad 3 will launch this fall with iPhone 5 and Apple will discontinue iPad 2 soon after!

The rumors started up again over a possible Fall 2011 iPad 3 launch earlier this year, when Apple seemingly bit the hand that feeds them by suing Samsung. Apple claimed that Samsung had infringed on certain Apple patents in their Galaxy smartphone and tablets regarding icon design (of all things!).

The legal battle ended up with Apple moving to a Taiwanese manufacture of processors meaning that once Apple discontinues the iPad 2, iPod 4 and iPhone 4 and launch the Apple A6 CPU they will be free of Samsung (at least for their CPU's).

This on it's own might not be enough proof that iPad 3 is coming this Fall, but Foxconn's recent announcement that it plans to invest in robots for it's factories, to replace human workers, might be a hint that a major production run, possibly the iPad 3 is on the cards!

The latest piece of the puzzle comes from the Taiwan Economic News, which claims the iPad 2 is heading for a price slash to shift stock and make way for the iPad 3 launch this Fall. The newspaper claims a $100 discount will be offered on iPad 2's just in the run up toward the September launch of iPad 3.

If the iPad 3 were to hit at the same time as the iPhone 5, iPod 5, iOS 5 and iCloud Apple will more than likely dominate the headlines and devices sales well in to next year, making it even harder for makers of Android devices to find a niche!

What do you think? Will Apple discontinue the iPad 2 to break ties with Samsung and launch a double whammy with the iPhone 5? Or is it all just stuff and nonsense?