Foxconn, the Taiwanese electronics manufacturer who has partnered with Apple on numerous products, is now rumored to have secured the production of Apple’s anticipated tablet device. Per DigiTimes, Foxconn is rumored to be manufacturing an Apple tablet device according to “market sources”. The device is expected to be for sale in the first quarter of 2010, with an alleged initial shipment of 300,000 to 400,000 devices. No fixed price was given.
“The sources indicated they believe the tablet PC features will focus more on e-book functionality rather than music, and that based on Apple’s marketing strategy, long battery life, quick Internet connectivity and an easy-to-use user interface will be key features of the device,” the report said.
It also claimed that the device will sport a 10.6″ display. Additional speculation included the detail that Foxconn would obtain panels for the tablet from its subsidiary, Innolux Display.
As Apple reportedly prepares to launch its own tablet, other hardware makers are allegedly doing the same as well. The report said that sources expect HP and other computer manufacturers to debut their own tablet-style touchscreen devices soon after, in the second quarter of 2010.
The long-awaited tablet is rumored to include 3G functionality and will run on a custom chip built by P.A. Semi.
The information regarding marketing the tablet as an e-reader would seem to bolster recent reports that Apple has reached out to publishers and gained their interest in reproducing content on the device.