Report: Apple Scraps Plans for 12.9-Inch iPad Pro

Apple (APPL) has put to pasture any plans to release a larger-display "iPad Pro" model this year, according to a report in Digitimes that cited a lack of support from platform developers and related ecosystems.

The idea that Apple was working on a super-sized iPad first surfaced in December, when a number of outlets reported on rumors of its impending existence. In particular, The Wall Street Journal reported in discussions with supply chain partners, Apple had “asked for screen designs for a new tablet device measuring slightly less than 13 inches diagonally.”

Digitimes, however, learned of Apple’s plans to shelve the proposed 12.9-inch iPad, saying that large-size tablets in general are a hard sell for many platform developers and ecosystems. Until now, tablets have traditionally featured 7-inch to 10-inch displays, with Apple’s latest iPad Air sporting a 9.7-inch screen.

According to Digitimes, several other major tablet makers are also struggling to get their own oversized tablets to market. The site predicts that the Samsung Galaxy Tab Pro 12.2 will ship only 1 million units this year, while Google is still forging ahead with its Nexus 8.9-inch tablet.

Before announcing its cancellation, Apple reportedly had planned to release two different versions of the 12.9-inch iPad pro, one with a 2K display and another with a 4K display, according to BGR. The device reportedly was going to be targeted at educational markets, where tablets have become increasingly popular among both students and teachers.

While it may be understandable if Apple skunked the project to stem any potential losses, the iPad's cancellation could deal a blow to the jumbo tablet market in general, even without actually being a thing. Whether the larger size in tablets will ever catch on remains a mystery, but the future certainly doesn’t look too bright for the concept if Apple isn’t willing to get its feet wet.