While we are in the heart of CES 2012, an event that Apple has decided to skip year after year, it also happens to be around the same time we see a sudden influx in new iPhone, iPad and iPod touch rumors.

Some call it a coincidence while others believe Apple’s marketing team has a slight hand in it. Nevertheless today has been a busy day for Apple news with two big sources “divulging” so-called interesting details about the upcoming iPhone 5 and iPad 3.
China United Network Communications Group (CHTZ), the nation’s second-largest wireless carrier, will give users an Apple Inc. (AAPL) iPhone 4S if they sign multiyear service contracts costing as little as 286 yuan ($45) a month.

The promotion starting Jan. 13 offers a 32-gigabyte model with a three-year plan, while a commitment to two years for a monthly fee of 386 yuan allows users to get the 16-gigabyte model, the company known as China Unicom said in a statement on its website yesterday.