On-again, off-again, industry publication Digitimes is claiming that Apple's next iPad will enter mass production soon and will launch in March 2012. The catch is that according to their sources, this new iPad product is not seen by Apple as an iPad 3, but instead an upgraded iPad 2. Instead they say "the real iPad 3" won't be launched until the 3rd quarter of 2012 at the earliest.
The publication provides no distinction as to what qualifies as a "real iPad 3", but does claim that this interim iPad 2 upgrade will be thinner than the iPad 2 and offer longer battery life.
The most obvious distinction, though not mentioned in the article, could come from the use of a ultra-high resolution Retina display. Talk of a such a display has been ongoing for months, but the most recent reports indicate that Apple's suppliers are finding it challenge to produce such high density displays.
Digitimes has been particularly prolific in the past year with their rumors, but have become particularly spotty in their accuracy. While plans could have obviously changed, their previous iPad 3 report claimed a Fall 2011 launch. So, take this new report with some skepticism. That said, an ultra high resolution iPad-sized Retina display could easily be the production bottleneck for Apple's plans.
Strong pre-orders have reportedly prompted Apple to order millions more iPhone Duo units from suppliers, according to DigiTimes.
Supply chain sources said Foxconn and component manufacturers had received instructions reflecting a roughly 44% increase from 9.7 million to 14 million devices. The revised target reportedly follows strong pre-orders for Apple's first foldable iPhone and covers a...
Apple's iPhone Duo has attracted more pre-orders than the company anticipated in several major markets, according to DigiTimes, with display chip suppliers hoping its reception will boost investment in foldable devices.
Sources in the display driver industry believe the iPhone Duo could give other smartphone makers greater confidence in foldables, expanding the market for OLED touch and...
Apple's efforts to cut supply chain emissions face persistent challenges among printed circuit board manufacturers, where demand for more advanced components is increasing energy consumption, according to DigiTimes.
The report says requirements from Apple and Google are prompting suppliers to publish sustainability reports, buy more renewable electricity, and work with their own suppliers to ...
Seriously? Why do things like this get credibility? Look at the history, the next iPad will be a major upgrade, the iPad 2 was the minor upgrade and Apple will NEVER release two iPads in one year. The profit is much larger on a full year product run. Some of these rumours are so stupid.
