Even as some sources are claiming that iPad 3 production is underway with Sharp providing the displays for the device, Korea's Electronic Times reports (via Patently Apple) that Sharp has failed to meet Apple's requirements and is out as a display supplier. According to the report, Samsung and LG will be providing the displays for the iPad 3.
An industry source said on January 9, “LCD manufacturers started mass production and supply of LCD panels for the iPad3 late last year. Samsung Electronics’ LCD business unit was the first to start mass production, and LG Display has participated in mass production with full capacity, beginning this year.” [...]
Sharp has competed with Samsung Electronics and LG Display over the development of display panels for the iPad3, but reportedly failed to pass Apple’s approval process for mass production.
Apple is said to be requiring at least 65 million iPad 3 display panels for 2012, with an initial batch of 5 million being produced for launch.
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A decision by Apple not to go with Sharp for the iPad 3 display could have consequences for the device's design, as the two companies have been reported by several sources to be working together on Sharp's indium gallium zinc oxide (IGZO) technology to achieve thinner, lower power displays.
If Apple does utilize more traditional low-temperature polycrystalline silicon (LTPS) displays from Toshiba and LG, that decision could require a dual light bar system to support the higher resolution of the iPad 3, thus necessitating the slightly thicker profile that has been rumored for the device.
Top Rated Comments
This obsession of making the iPad thinner for the sake of making it thinner comes at a price without adding much value to the customers.
Will probably end up getting the iPad 3 since the iPad 4 will be awhile like late 2012 probably before is released
I highly doubt you'll see an iPad 4 in 2012.
i don't think the ipad needs to be thinner than the iPad1 to begin with. I saw no advantage in the iPad2 being thinner. I'd rather have them leave the iPad as thick as the iPad1 and use the extra space for a larger battery, the possibility to put in cheaper components, make manufacturing easier, reduce the bezel, be more flexible in adding fast GPU or CPU and overall lower the price. Of course not all of the above, but a few things should be possible.
This obsession of making the iPad thinner for the sake of making it thinner comes at a price without adding much value to the customers.
People are always so short-sighted when it comes to criticizing Apple for their technical feats. I don't mean to pick on you specifically, but every revision of every product there's someone saying 'well I think it's a waste of time being [thinner/faster/lighter/detailed] for what is clearly no reason'.
Seemingly every other tech company would agree with you, of course. Status quo all the way (at least until Apple shows us the way, right?). But ever wonder why Apple is able to make the moves that change industries? Many reasons, of course, but one has to wonder if we'd ever have seen an iPad had Apple not spent years trimming millimeter after unnecessary millimeter off their PowerBooks and iPods. If they're not buying new machines for and introducing new manufacturing processes to the manufacturers, who is?
It's called advancing the state of the art, and it's a cumulative process. I hope Apple never loses that drive.
i don't think the ipad needs to be thinner than the iPad1 to begin with. I saw no advantage in the iPad2 being thinner. I'd rather have them leave the iPad as thick as the iPad1 and use the extra space for a larger battery, the possibility to put in cheaper components, make manufacturing easier, reduce the bezel, be more flexible in adding fast GPU or CPU and overall lower the price. Of course not all of the above, but a few things should be possible.
This obsession of making the iPad thinner for the sake of making it thinner comes at a price without adding much value to the customers.
I agree. The only downside the thicker models would have is weight. The lighter the better IMO. You need to be able to hold it up for long periods of time without killing your upper arm muscles.
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With the resale value of apple products so strong I wil probably get one but my question is are there any iPad 4 rumors yet?
No....just...no.
If iPad 3 prices (alone) averaged $665 (the price halfway between $499 and $829 [low end and high end])... that's almost 44 Billion Dollars! Just for an iPad 3... that's not taking into account iPad 2's that most certainly will continue to sell -- perhaps education only. Whatever. It stands to reason that Apple could make $60B or more just on iPads only in 2012.
Wow.
As far as will it consume more power for the reason of the screen or the new chip, I am confident that Apple will do what they can to get the specs on par with iPad 2 or better. They know that if they don't, the critics will focus soley on the lesser power issue, if that was the case. Apple knows that there's a target on their back and will do what it takes to keep attacks minimal.
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With the resale value of apple products so strong I wil probably get one but my question is are there any iPad 4 rumors yet?
You could just Google "iPad 4" and see for yourself. Or you could look the history of iPad announcements -- Apple historically has announced in January and shipped in March. It stands to reason that we'll hear about iPad 3 in the next couple of weeks.----------
@thekeyring: I'd prepare yourself then, because it's looking highly likely that they are going to call it the iPad 2S. You just can't make something visually identical and call it the 3. Who knows though? They could, but it would be a bit strange.
On a side note --> Darlo770, Please use the quote button so we don't have to hunt down his original post. Fortunately for me, you guys were the first couple of posters so it was close to the top. The Quote button works. @username doesn't.