For close to a year now it has been rumored that Apple is working on a significantly larger iPad, one that might possibly have a 12.9 inch display and will be called iPad Pro. Obviously Apple has not yet confirmed if such a product is in the works but we hear whispers about it consistently nonetheless. The latest report claims that parts shipments for the iPad Pro will begin next month with new suppliers providing the touchscreen technology.
Analysts from J.P. Morgan tells investors in a note that following the start of parts shipments for iPad Pro next month Apple is likely going to reach a production capacity of one million units per month by the end of this year. This would mean that the company will have ample supply on hand when it decides to unveil this tablet early next year.
The analysts say that iPad Pro will feature a “glass-film-film” touch panel structure instead of the glass-film one found in the existing iPad Air, the change will make for improved accuracy which is particularly needed with an accompanying stylus, and Apple’s larger iPad is said to come with one.
Apple is said to be sourcing touch panels for this tablet from Sharp and GIS primarily but some orders might be sent to TPK and LG Display as well. The company is also said to be considering consigning display panels to touch panel manufacturers for the optical lamination phase, this would be the first time that Apple would do something like this.
Some believe that this tablet will be announced in October this year and will be shipping soon after that, others say that it won’t be unveiled till early next year. Apple hasn’t said anything yet.
Filed in . Read more about iPad and iPad Pro. Source: appleinsider