Apple Lining Up iPad 3 Suppliers in Face of Increasing Number of Competitors
Digitimes reports on several Taiwan-based companies that have been picked to supply parts for the upcoming iPad 3.
Taiwan-based IC design houses Novatek Microelectronics, Richtek Technology, Capella Microsystems (Taiwan) and Integrated Memory Logic (iML) have reportedly entered the supply chain for iPad 3, according to industry sources.
The exact companies aren't likely of much interest to our readers, but Digitimes also claims that Apple seems more willing to use integrated circuits from Taiwan-based manufacturers "as it is adjusting the cost structure for iPad tablets in order to compete with an array of tablet PCs to be launched by rivals in the second half of 2011."It's not entirely clear what this will mean to the customer in the end. Lower cost parts may mean less expensive iPads, but it may simply offer more capabilities at the same price. Apple's roadmap for the iPad 3 remains unclear as there have been numerous conflicting reports about the iPad 3's capabilities and release date.
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Rumours say iPad 3 this year. Jobs says 2011 year of iPad 2. I believe Jobs on this one.
It's ridiculous how people take a presentation slide to interpret whatever they want to believe!Steve never said that there won't be any other tablet product to be released except for the the current iPad 2. The linked slide said "2011: Year of the iPad 2".
If iPad 2 has been sold for more than half of the year, one could say it has been the year of the iPad 2.
If the numbers of the iPad 2 exceed those of a potential iPad 3 (or iPad 2 HD) it would still be the year of the iPad 2.
If Apple would release an iPad 2 HD it would also still be the year of the iPad 2.
There are dozens of possibilities - even a non-native speaker like myself can understand that!
Oh and btw: business is war - an experienced boss like Steve would not give away too much information too soon!
ipad 3 is going to rule the world if they get their content providers sorted. Stil no proper magazine or feed subscirptions here in euroland. Can't get fortune or Time magazine on iPad subscription.
Content is one thing, I just hope "willing to use..." doesn't mean "wiling to compromise" I would hate to lose quality to save a few bucks.
Would also love a retina display iPad3 navigation that can use a bluetooth rearview camera :)
1. Steve puts up a slide pushing the iPad 2, and ever after people misinterpret it to mean Apple cannot possibly introduce another iPad during this calendar year. Steve must shake his head every time he sees that slide being misused this way.
2. Apple looks to the future (getting rid of 20th-century tech like drives), and has to put up with petty "I'm sick of Apple, I'm taking my toys and going home!" rhetoric. Fine, go home. The line for Apple's products will be that much shorter for the rest of us.
In the early days of any technology (radio, clocks, computers), hobbiests (aka geeks) are the only ones who use it. They take their devices apart, figure out what makes them tick, really understand what's underneath. Then the masses come along and never take apart their radio, clock or computer, they just use them as tools. The geeks get red in the face about how these clueless users don't understand that they need access to the bare metal in order to fully utilize these devices.
Apple has an approach that you make a device That Just Works, and if you need to expand the functionality you either add software (App Store that is the biggest in the world) or you plug something into the device (as Square does with its credit card readers that turn iPhones into cash registers). The masses realize this is just fine, their devices do everything they can possibly want, and they are quite happy with their radio, clocks and computing devices.
And the geeks stomp their feet and swear that this time they are walking away from Apple forever! Uh, OK, go ahead. We're tired of your whining that the whole world doesn't think the way you do.
It's ridiculous how people take a presentation slide to interpret whatever they want to believe!
Steve never said that there won't be any other tablet product to be released except for the the current iPad 2. The linked slide said "2011: Year of the iPad 2".
If iPad 2 has been sold for more than half of the year, one could say it has been the year of the iPad 2.
If the numbers of the iPad 2 exceed those of a potential iPad 3 (or iPad 2 HD) it would still be the year of the iPad 2.
If Apple would release an iPad 2 HD it would also still be the year of the iPad 2.
There are dozens of possibilities - even a non-native speaker like myself can understand that!
Oh and btw: business is war - an experienced boss like Steve would not give away too much information too soon!
This is exactly why we only see a new iPhone every year+.
With Apple taking DVD drives out of mini macs and investigated keyless keyboards, it wouldn't surprise me if the latest iPad gave less functionality than its predecessor .... but it'll be ok because the almighty Steve Jobs says so ... and everyone know's that when Steve wants someones opinion ... he'll give it them!
I'm personally getting fed up with Apple ... a.k.a Steve Jobs ... its about time they sought a new head who'll put them back on track and supply what the people want, not what Heir Jobs wants (Jonny Ives in my book!!!)
NB iPad 3 - as a user who knows what he wants best (thank you Mr Jobs), I don't care about a slimmer than the iPad 2 tablet (that would be too slim) ... I just want to see an SD Slot which I can also use for more storage, a better screen for sure and ideally ... a lock button as its constantly frustrating when scrolling through web pages only to press a link by mistake and then spend wasted seconds having to go back!
This post makes my head hurt! Did you not hear about Apples most recent quarter being their best quarter EVER?! Apparently Apple delivered exactly what the people, and the majority wants. If you don't like or want what Apple has to offer, then GTFO, and go buy some crappy Asus pc, or third rate bargain tablet with a hacked together tablet os made by a search engine company.
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