I'm wondering how these cases are already molded and manufactured by the thousands before the new iPad is even released. I know it's just mm difference than the iPad 2 but the new tapered back should be noticeably different. How did they get it right? Did they get their hands on the iPad 3 or a mold of it early? Usually factories in China take 2-3 months to mass produce things so it just makes me wonder.
I don't think they get the dimensions any earlier than the announcement time. In another case thread, someone mentioned that when they asked the case maker how they knew it fit the new iPad, the response was that they just put in a cardboard filler of about 1mm and the case fit. Until the 16th, no one will know for sure.
Good to know! Considering I already ordered the Marware CEO Hybrid for the new iPad. I wanted it to be 100% snug fit.
Apple only shares new designs with a very few select partners before release, and this is under very controlled conditions - usually at Apple's offices without the opportunity to take a device out of the building...
The manufacturers for the cases that were offered for the iPhone 4 antenna issue probably receive information about newer models.