Apple Backtracking From Plans to Diversify iPad Manufacturing Partnerships?

Earlier this week, DigiTimes reported that Apple was looking at diversifying its production for the iPad by bringing on a second manufacturer in Pegatron or Quanta to join Apple's longtime iOS device partner Foxconn. According to the report, Apple has been interested in moving to a multiple-partner arrangement in order to minimize risk of disruptions such as those caused by an explosion at a Foxconn plant earlier this year that temporarily shut down all of that company's polishing lines.

But as shared in a new report from DigiTimes today, Foxconn has apparently persuaded Apple not to bring on a second manufacturer, taking steps to secure itself as the sole production partner for the next round of iPad manufacturing.

Apple has reportedly been trying to add a second manufacturer for iPad 3 in addition to Foxconn, with Pegatron indicated to be the potential contender, the sources noted.

However, Foxconn has exerted its efforts to protect its orders and apparently has persuaded Apple to not shift some of its iPad orders to other contractors for the moment, the sources added.

For its part, Pegatron is reportedly gearing up to compete for production of the fourth-generation iPad down the road, as well as for Mac production. Pegatron already manufactures the CDMA iPhone 4 for Apple and has been said to be lined up for the next-generation iPhone as well.

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Top Rated Comments

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DavidLeblond

109 months ago

Is it really possible to 'backtrack' on something that hasn't been officially announced and is only a rumour?
If so, then I'm current backtracking on my plans to win last night's lottery :D

Seriously. Today: "Apple plans on installing death ray in iPhone 5." Tomorrow: "Apple nixed plans on adding death ray in iPhone 5."

EDIT: Whenever I read things like this, I think the story really should read "DigiTimes realized it got bad info and is backtracking on posting it."

Rating: 4 Votes

illitrate23

109 months ago

Is it really possible to 'backtrack' on something that hasn't been officially announced and is only a rumour?
If so, then I'm current backtracking on my plans to win last night's lottery :D

Rating: 2 Votes

BC2009

109 months ago

Whenever I read things like this, I think the story really should read "DigiTimes realized it got bad info and is backtracking on posting it."

Exactly. There are some Apple rumors that are true at some point in time (when they are reported) and then things change and the source appears to have bad information. There are also some rumors that were never true to begin with and came from a bad source. However, it seems some of the outlets reporting the rumors like to chalk up the ones that turn out to be wrong to "Apple had a change of plans" rather than "My source was bad" more often than not. Gruber did a great piece (http://daringfireball.net/2011/02/eleventh_hour) on this earlier this year entitled "The Eleventh Hour" (http://daringfireball.net/2011/02/eleventh_hour).

Rating: 1 Votes

eghedini

109 months ago

Makes sense Apple look for another manufacturer for iPad, but also makes sense they change their minds since Foxconn is setting up a plant in Brazil to start manufacturing the iPad in november. The operations should have started in end june / beginning of july, but this move may mean that will be less assemble and more manufacturing.:apple:

Rating: 1 Votes

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