APPLE IS WORKING with its suppliers and assembler for the trial production of the iPad3, according to the Wall Street Journal.

Citing sources “familiar with the situation”, the paper says that display panels and chips have already been ordered in preparation for an early-2012 launch and that production is due to begin from October.

Apple and its iPad assembler Hon Hai Precision Industry declined to comment on the report.

Meanwhile, TechCrunch reports that in a document seen by its reporter Erick Schonfeld, Apple is planning to phase out access to the unique device identifier (UDID) on new iOS 5 devices, including the iPad. Advertisers and apps use the code to track what of users and their actions.

TechCrunch notes the move could be in response to criticism over Apple device users’ privacy. Technology security experts warned that iPhones and iPad were secretly tracking their user’s (geographical) movements and storing them on an internal file which could be copied to the owner’s computer while synchronising the device.

Read Lorraine Luk’s report about the iPad 3 in the Wall Street Journal >

Read Erick Schonfeld’s report on iOS 5 changes on TechCrunch >

Read: Apple (briefly) becomes the world’s most valuable company >

Read: Remember that fake Apple store? China’s found 22 more – in one city >

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