It’s a new week, so let the tablet rumors flow.
Apple has apparently placed mass orders for 10″ displays as well as strong glass panels and connectors to go with them.
According to DigiTimes, manufacturer Foxconn’s panel-making subsidiary Innolux will serve as the primary supplier of 10″ panels for the forthcoming multi-touch device while display panel vendor Wintek will fill many of the remaining orders.
Citing sources close to the story, DigiTimes has reported that Apple has been “seeking solutions to strengthen the glass of the 10-inch panel for the” tablets, a move which contributed to delaying the device’s launch until the first-quarter 2010.
Foxconn’s optical glass processing subsidiary G-Tech Optoelectronics will reportedly provide this unidentified glass strengthening process, while Taiwan-based optical film maker Wah Hong Industrial has also been tapped to supply components that will aid in the effort.
Based on an analysis of the shipping schedules of Apple’s upstream component suppliers, it’s been predicted that Apple could announce its new tablet device in January with volume shipments to follow by March.
In Addition, the Economic Daily has reported that manufacturer Cheng Uei Precision has received large orders for new flat-panel Tablet PC connector parts. Strangely enough, the article suggests the company is unlikely to start delivering those parts to Apple until the third quarter of 2010.
A media event thought to be related to the Apple tablet has been scheduled for January 26th at San Francisco’s Yerba Buena Arts Center.
One reply on “Rumor: Apple Places Orders for Possible Tablet Displays, Connector Devices”
I assume that this is going to be targeted towards the business marketing for Apple and not the general consumer. I can’t imagine using a tablet for everyday use, just not practical.