Roger Fingas
Parts shipments for a 12.9-inch "iPad Pro" will likely begin in September, resulting in production of about 1 million units per month this year — but with new touchscreen technology and suppliers, according to a J.P. Morgan investor memo.
In order to improve input accuracy, the jumbo-sized iPad will likely use a "glass-film-film" (GFF) touch panel structure rather than the glass-film in the iPad Air and mini, J.P. Morgan's analysts said, citing supply chain visits. That could be consistent with claims that the tablet will support a Bluetooth stylus, for which accuracy would be paramount.
Financially GFF would benefit Nitto Denko, which is already the lone film supplier for current iPad models. For the "iPad Pro" display and touch panels though Apple is allegedly handing most of the initial orders over to Sharp and GIS, respectively, instead of LG Display and TPK. The latter two companies may still be involved, but in a smaller capacity.
Apple is also, for the first time, reportedly consigning display panels to touch panel makers for the touch/display optical lamination phase — putting touch, display, and assembly under "megasites" controlled by Hon Hai, better known as Foxconn. That would back a similar rumor from DigiTimes.
The other main suppliers are thought to be Nissha Printing and Radiant, the latter of which will handle LED backlights.
Apple is commonly expected to reveal an "iPad Pro" sometime in October, and ship it shortly thereafter. Aside from new touch technology, the tablet could have a 2,048-pixel-by-2,732-pixel display, and a unique version of iOS 9 with an expanded keyboard.
William Gallagher
Christine McKee
AppleInsider Staff
Chip Loder
Malcolm Owen
57 Comments
Ah yes, Apple like most of the high-tech industry in Silicon Valley, is funding the development of extremely sophisticated manufacturing in Asia%u2014here these new screens. As for us, judging by their at-home investments, Apple's corporate executives view most of us as like the child-like Eloi of H. G. Wells The Time Machine. Not bright enough to do anything sophisticated, only endless entertainment interests us. That's why so many Apple commercials show adults dancing around like children in preschool.
How long before we get an article about delays?
The fact that so many of the rumours have the stylus being bluetooth has me worried. A proper pressure sensitive stylus does not need to be paired or charged.
What? You must be referring to the hideous Microsoft Surface ads where young hip types dance on tables and make the Surface click.
[quote name="Inkling" url="/t/187939/ipad-pro-parts-shipments-starting-in-sept-with-new-display-tech-suppliers-report#post_2768185"]Ah yes, Apple like most of the high-tech industry in Silicon Valley, is funding the development of extremely sophisticated manufacturing in Asia%u2014here these new screens. As for us, judging by their at-home investments, Apple's corporate executives view most of us as like the child-like Eloi of H. G. Wells The Time Machine. Not bright enough to do anything sophisticated, only endless entertainment interests us. That's why so many Apple commercials show adults dancing around like children in preschool.[/quote] Apple could certainly use a little balance in their manufacturing systems and component sources. My problem with Apple as an investor is that so much of their product line is in China that one little international "incident" could easily destroy the company. Seriously what would happen to Apple if they couldn't ship anything from China for a week or month much less years. I just don't see them being able to recover quickly enough to avoid significant damage to the company. I kinda like that focus is being put on China in the current political debate. The problem is will everything be forgotten after the election?