UPDATE: Check out our new iPad 3 review

Reports that Apple is readying version 5.1 of its iOS for iPhones, iPads and iPods could signal the arrival of the next-generation iPad 3.

Website YourDailyMac has unearthed carrier profiles which carry the date 9 March 2012 in their names.

These profiles are small updates for carriers to roll out to users which will ensure the network connection will work correctly on their devices after iOS 5.1 is released.

Stop… iPad 3-time

The launch of Apple's iPad 3 is rumoured to happen next month and it could go hand-in-hand with the arrival of the latest iOS.

iOS 5.1 is the first major update for version 5 of Apple's mobile OS since it launched last year with the iPhone 4S. Minor updates have occurred since its launch to fix various issues such as 5.0.1 to address battery complaints.

It's not clear whether we'll see the iPad 3 or iOS 5.1 on March 9, but this news is another piece in the puzzle and we will continue to monitor the situation.

From YourDailyMac via PocketNow