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Last week, DigiTimes reported that Apple would be targeting shipments of 12-14 million iPad 2s during the third quarter of 2011, and a new report backs up that conclusion with claims that Apple's touch panel suppliers pushed out five million units in June and plan to produce another five million in July.
Five million touch sensors for the iPad 2 will be shipped in July, according to sources with Apple's supply chain.
Shipments in June were also five million, with TPK Holding and Wintek supplying 1.4-1.6 million units each and the remaining by Cando, Sintek Photronic and Chimei Innolux (CMI), the sources indicated.
Display production has been one bottleneck for Apple in meeting iPad customer demand, even dating back to the original iPad. Wintek and TPK were Apple's initial suppliers for the touch components, but the company was forced to add additional suppliers such as Cando in order to meet its production goals.
Apple has been said to be soaking up 60% of the global supply of touch panels for 2011, putting pressure on smaller manufacturers who are having a difficult time securing components for their own devices.
Top Rated Comments
Just more proof that there evidently won't be an iPad 3 this year :)
There is absolutely not a single piece of "proof" that an iPad3 was ever coming in 2011. Only rumors from "sources"
Why anyone would actually think that Apple would push out an iPad 3 when the iPad 2 is murdering everyone else INCLUDING the recently pushed-out tablets....is mind-boggling to me.
iPad 2 demand is so strong that they still require 'weeks' to get one online...well ok, 1-2 now.
Edit: Clearly needed a </sarcasm> tag
There is no argument for this idea that makes any sense. Could it happen? It's not beyond the realms of the possible. But is there any reason to expect it? No. No reason at all.
I dont think it will happen. But I do think there are good reasons for it too happen.
Keeps Apple in the news, keeps them remaining on top and shocks competition with a new product that they are desperately trying to keep up with.
Although I dont think much could change other than the screen for the moment.. or the size. If they released a 7" that to me would be cool for a small ebook reader (wouldnt buy one though as I own the original ipad) doubt they would release a smaller size, doesnt seem to be a demand for it and jobs doesnt like them either.
So possibly either the screen resolution being better with some better graphics I suppose maybe processor bump (small) its quite hard to think what could be a significant change in order to sell a 3rd gen so quick.
Size seems to be the only drastic change that could be made at the moment.
But the costs are massive in developing a new product. This plan would cut off the iPad 2 in its prime and, well, they're already beating the competition handily right now. The gains are tiny but the costs are huge.
Although I don't quite agree with the possibility of an iPad 3 release this year, you do make a compelling point here. Maybe a Christmas release?
other than video games who releases anything before christmas?
most of the parts in the ipad 2 come out early in the year for testing and engineering so the product can ship early the next year. not like apple makes or designs most of the internal parts