According to a new Bloomberg report, the mass production of Apple's next-generation iPad tablets has been started by the company's suppliers.

The report, based on the information shared by unidentified sources "with knowledge of the matter," said that the Apple suppliers have begun the production of the new iPad tablets, which will supposedly be called 'iPad Air 2' and 'Retina iPad mini 2.' The new iPads are projected to be launched before the end of 2014.

Two Bloomberg sources have revealed - on the condition of anonymity - that the mass production of the new full-sized iPad with a 9.7-inch screen is already in progress, and will likely be launched by the end of the ongoing quarter or early next quarter.

The sources have also disclosed that the next-generation version of the 7.9-inch iPad mini is also entering production; with that model likely scheduled for launch by the end of this year.

It has already been widely rumored that both the iPad Air 2 and the Retina iPad mini 2 models will be equipped Apple's new 'A8' processor, and will boast Touch ID and a number of other improvements. The full-sized model will also probably feature a new anti-reflection coating which has been designed to make the tablet's display easier to see and read.