Apple on Wednesday sent out invites for a March 2 event that is likely to include the launch of the next-generation iPad.

Apple on Wednesday sent out invites for a March 2 event that is likely to include the launch of the next-generation iPad.

"Please join Apple on March 2 for a Special Event," the invite reads. "Come see what 2011 will be the year of."

The image on the invite (below) shows the Apple calendar icon set on March 2, with the right corner flipping down to show the right-hand corner of what looks to be an iPad.

The event will take place in San Francisco at 10am local time.

Rumors about the next iPad have been swirling for months, with the media unofficially dubbing the device the iPad 2. Among the are dual cameras, a better screen, and sleeker form factors. There was also talk of a USB port and three version of the tablet: Wi-Fi, CDMA, and GSM.

In January, that Apple's A5 chip for the iPhone 5 and iPad 2 will bundle an ARM Cortex-A9 processor alongside a dual-core GPU - quadruple the performance of the devices' predecessors.

More recently, of an iPad with a carbon fiber shell, near-field communication (NFC), and a 7-inch form factor. During an , however, Apple chief Steve Jobs said a 7-inch tablet "isn't sufficient to create great tablet apps, in our opinion."

PCMag compiled a in December, but as , there's little substance, beyond educated guesswork, to the bulk of these rumor articles.

PCMag will be at next week's event, so stay tuned for all the details.