It makes sense to release ARTPOP in the summer seeing as it coincides with Machete Kills/her own movie, which can both help promote the album, and vice versa.
I'm still holding onto my prediction of Late March for the lead single and May/June for the album. Given JT's comeback, Bey's comeback + Superbowl performance and Grammy's surge of sales and promo for artists; February would be a horrible time for her lead single. March would be when JT's comeback, Bey's massive promo and Grammy's surge winds down in time for Gaga to come out swinging. It'd be the perfect time.