Apple, far more than its competitors, is very predictable when it comes to product launches: new iPhone in June; new iPods in September; and--if the pattern holds--new iPad in January. Considering that Steve Jobs at the end of January 2010, the iPad 2 (or whatever moniker Apple chooses) launch is overdue.

Has Apple delayed the new iPad's debut? If so, here are three possible reasons why:

1) Steve's health

As everyone knows, Apple CEO Jobs announced last month that he's taking a . Unlike his first medical leave in January 2009--when Jobs said he'd return by the end of June 2009--the famously private executive didn't give a return date this time. And since Jobs, the consummate pitchman, always introduces Apple's major product releases, it's conceivable that his medical issues have led Cupertino to postpone the iPad 2 launch--perhaps until he's ready to handle the public presentation, or until a suitable in-house replacement is prepared to take his place.

2) Xoom counterattack