Apple Buys Up Touch Panels Delaying RIM's Tablet Release
DigiTimes reports that RIM's PlayBook tablet PC is set to launch on April 19th, but that this date was a month behind the original target date. Besides ongoing software testing, RIM was also unable to procure enough touch panels since "Apple already booked up most of the available capacity".
Apple is believed to have invested $3.9 billion in order to guarantee long term supply of LCDs for the next few years. Apple had already suffered from shortages during the first iPad's launch and likely recognized it as a strategic long-term investment, much like their long term flash-memory purchase in 2005.
The move already seems to be affecting supply of competitors including the RIM playbook. While the Playbook uses a smaller 7" screen than the iPad's 10", there are only so many companies that supply touch panel displays and it seems Apple has saturated their production capabilities.
Top Rated Comments
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15 months ago
Ha ha! Way to go Apple!!!! Kill the competition any way you can!!
Apple is doing everyone a favor saving them from the mistake of getting a RIM tablet.
Apple is doing everyone a favor saving them from the mistake of getting a RIM tablet.
15 months ago
Apple Competitors: "I wish we had $50 billion in cash to do this sort of thing."
15 months ago
Apple is probably one of the most strategically intelligent tech companies in the world right now. Not just forward-thinking in terms of disabling their competitors...but just wicked smart.
15 months ago
They can have my screen. It only bleeds on the edges. Still enough real estate for a seven inch model.
15 months ago
That cash mountain that Apple have must be really useful for this kind of thing.
15 months ago
Apple seems to have a choking mechanism at every corner. First innovation then price, market saturation and now production! Seems like a chess game going bad or even turning all the houses into hotels on every street. lol
15 months ago
So, what is Apple doing with a bunch of 7" touch screens, since Jobs said "7 inch tablets are dead on arrival"?
I also don't recall RIM ever giving a date before April 19th.
I also don't recall RIM ever giving a date before April 19th.
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