Apple has decided to start ramping down production of the iPad 2, sources tell AppleInsider. The shift is attributed to sales skewing overwhelmingly towards the iPad Air and iPad mini. It's not clear when iPad 2 production might stop, but that will presumably happen sometime before October or November, when Apple is typically expected to refresh the iPad lineup.
The iPad 2 first launched on March 11th, 2011. It has since had an unusually long shelf life, in 2012 becoming a cheaper option for people who don't want to pay the $499-plus for a newer full-sized iPad. During last fall's iPad event, however, Apple kept the iPad 2 on sale for $399, despite selling the technically superior Retina iPad mini for the same amount. The cheapest iPad became the first-generation Mini, which is just $299. The disproportionate pricing of the 2 may help explain its decline.
