When Apple launched the iPhone 4S, it also offered the AppleCare+ for iPhone for $99 that gives users two years of technical support and one year of hardware repair coverage that you get when you buy an iPhone. Apple may offer the same AppleCare+ for the new iPad 3.

When you buy a unit of iPhone 4S, you will get a 90-day of the aforementioned technical support and repair coverage. AppleCare+ replaced AppleCare that was available for $69, which includes a coverage for two incidents of accidental damage due to handling, with a deductible of $49 as service fee for replacement of devices. The replacement device could be new or refurbished.

According to MacRumors, Apple is planning to offer the same for the new iPad 3, which will replace the current AppleCare for iPad for $79. According to the rumors, the new AppleCare+ for iPad will now offer an additional two years to the one year warranty and a coverage for up to two incidents of accidental damage with service fee. 9to5 Mac seconds the report with information from their sources that AppleCare+ worth $99 will be launched today.

While the iPad is not as susceptible to damage like the iPhone due to its glass back panel, it is still prudent to avail the AppleCare+ to be ready for the worst case scenario. However, Apple has not yet listed or confirmed that price and availability of the package except a statement that it will be coming soon.

The Cupertino-based company recently launched the new iPad 3 in a media event held at San Francisco last march 7. One of the prime selling points is its ability to use 4G mobile network, which has become the highlight of the device.

The new iPad also gets a 9.7-inch screen, which doubles the resolution (2048x1536) to a high-definition "Retina" display similar to the iPhone 4. Moreover, the new iPad sports a more powerful processor compared to its predecessor and of iPhone 4S' with its new 1.5GHz dual-core A5X chip with quad-core graphics processing. This will enable the device to use more demanding apps, software and games.

Apple also improved the rear camera of the device, although stopped short and settled with 5-megapixel resolution. However, the company added a backlit sensor and hybrid infrared filter for better colour reproduction. The voice dictation for hands-free use of the device will be able to recognise Australian accent.