Nov 05, 2014 01:02 PM EST By Russell Westerholm, UniversityHerald Reporter

Apple's iPad Air 2 may not be the tablet that revives the companies struggling line of products, but their next one might fit the bill.

Early rumors suggested Apple had a 12.9-inch iPad in the works, reportedly called the "iPad Pro." The tablet is also rumored to be a 2-in-1 tablet-laptop device with a focus on education and business.

According to CNET, a report from Japanese site Macotakara has some updated specifications for the iPad Pro. The larger tablet is expected to be 12.2 inches diagonally and possibly seven millimeters thick. The report states the iPad Pro's thickness will be between the iPhone 6 and 6 Plus, which are 6.9mm and 7.1mm respectively.

The iPad Air 2 is 6.1mm thick, the thinnest of any Apple tablet on the market. The iPad Pro would not be going for thinness, but rather for better processing power, a more sophisticated display and longer battery life. CNET noted the iPad Pro would be a direct competitor with the Microsoft Surface Pro 3.

Apple has now suffered three straight quarters of declining iPad sales, so the company is in need of something to shakeup their line of products. The iPad Air 2 may have been slimmer than its predecessor, but it did little to elevate what the device can do.

On the other hand, the new report suggested the iPad Pro would take the tablet's tradition design and add two speakers and microphones on the top and bottom of the device. Rather than going lower-end to compete with tablets that cost far less than the iPad, Apple appears to be aiming at producing a more sophisticated tablet.

Apple has made it known that they want to get their iPads into classrooms, but the iPad Pro may well find its way into many a business cubicle.

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