New iPad expected today

Apple is expected to unveil its next-generation iPad tablet Wednesday at an event in San Francisco.

The company sent invitations out to journalists on Feb. 28 showing part of an iPad screen. The caption beneath the photo announced an event at 10 a.m. PT at the Yerba Buena Center for the Arts Theatre, where Apple has held large launch events in the past.

Since then, the internet has been abuzz with rumours about the device's possible new features, such as an HD upgrade to the front-facing camera and the voice-activatedSiri software introduced with the iPhone 4S in October that responds to questions. Some blogs have suggested major changes such as the addition of a smaller, alternate size or the removal of the home button.

The current iPad 2 was launched in March 2011 by Steve Jobs, Apple's co-founder and CEO at the time. Jobs died in October after a long battle with cancer.