Taiwanese Site Sued by Supplier After Leaking Claimed iPad 3 Dock Connector

Last July, Taiwanese site Apple.pro posted photos of what was claimed to be the dock connector and ribbon cable for the iPad 3. While the connector doesn't reveal much of anything about the full iPad 3 device other than some speculation about the connector itself being white as opposed to black on the iPad 2, it was one of the first reported leaks of iPad 3 parts.

ipad 3 dock connector 1
Claimed iPad 3 dock connector leaked in July 2011

Apple's suppliers seem to have taken the leak seriously, however, as Apple.pro now seems to report [Google translation] that it has been sued by the supplier responsible for the part leaked in last year's report.

Apple's security demands are of course well-known, but parts for the company's devices have regularly leaked well before their public release. Most of the leaked parts have been basic ribbon cables and other internal components that have revealed little about the complete devices despite significant amounts of analysis and speculation.

Clearly Apple and its suppliers prefer that even these components not make their way into public view, although given the massive size of Apple's supply chain it may continue to have difficulty plugging leaks. Parts continue to leak on a regular basis, with some online vendors already offering some of the iPad 3 parts for sale.

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Top Rated Comments

praetorian909 Avatar
175 months ago
Ah ha! So this must be the new dock connector then!

Now if I could only somehow use this to figure out what the iPad 3 will look like. Hmm, it's not working...
Score: 8 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Consultant Avatar
175 months ago
Come on, it's not even transparent aluminum.
Score: 5 Votes (Like | Disagree)
amarcus Avatar
175 months ago
Should MacRumors be worried?

Not while SOPA hasn't passed ;)
Score: 4 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Trauma1 Avatar
175 months ago
But did Liv have a nice birthday?
Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Thunderhawks Avatar
175 months ago
Ah ha! So this must be the new dock connector then!

Now if I could only somehow use this to figure out what the iPad 3 will look like. Hmm, it's not working...

We also know the home button.

I think from that we can figure it out.

Going to be a rectangle picture frame shape with a front and a back and a good chance that it has a screen.

When I leak something it looks like glass although ..........
Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Gasu E. Avatar
175 months ago
Legal documents submitted to the Cupertino city council show that they intend to plant hundreds of fruit trees. Pictures on several recent iProduct boxes show fruit outlines. Reports are that fruit can be purchased on company premises (Infinite Loop cafeteria and others). They had tables covered with fruit at WWDC. Sounds like things a fruit company would do.

But if so, so secretive that no orchard or grower currently seems to report any relationship whatsoever. But that's just standard business when dealing with them.

Infinite Fruit Loop.
Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)