Both T-Mobile and Orange have dropped their iPad pricing, suggesting that the iPad 2 will be with us in a matter of weeks.

Dropping product pricing to clear stock is an age old indicator that a new version is on its way, and the two EverythingEverywhere networks' pricing has fallen significantly.

Orange is now selling the iPad for £99 on its 24-month contracts and T-Mobile is offering the same to existing customers.

Previously, Orange was offering the iPad WiFi + 3G at £199.99 upfront on a £25 per month contract to existing customers and at £229.99 for new customers on a £27 per month contract - so the new pricing offers a saving of at least £100 on each.

T-Mobile, meanwhile, is only offering the discount to existing customers on a 24-month £25 tariff.

The tech industry is on tenterhooks awaiting an announcement from Apple, given that the first iPad was announced in January last year – and Elton John reckons he's getting his iPad 2 in April.

On the other hand, the reduced price could just be Orange and T-Mobile offering customers a bargain because they're nice like that - right?

Thanks Hinesh!