APPLE IS expected to unveil the third generation of its best-selling iPad tablet computer at an event in San Francisco next week.

The Californian company sent out invites to the media yesterday for an event next Wednesday which featured pictures of an iPad. The text on the invite read “we have something you really have to see. And touch.”

Apple’s move came on the day its market capitalisation passed $500 billion (€371.5 billion) confirming it as the world’s most valuable company.

Although it is unclear when the iPad 3 might go on sale, the iPad 2 was available in US shops nine days after it was unveiled.