DigiTimes is reporting that Apple may be planing to introduce second-generation iPads as soon as Q4 this year. Not earth-shattering news until you take into account that the report is claiming Apple will also introduce 5.6 and 7-inch OLED-based iPad models alongside the existing 9.7-inch LED model.
The sources noted that Apple has recently placed new iPad orders to Taiwan-based component makers for the fourth quarter of 2010 and the first quarter of 2011 with 9.7-inch, 5.6-inch and 7-inch models all included.
The 9.7-inch model will see some minor changes, while Apple will add Chimei Innolux (CMI) as one of its panel suppliers.
The new 5.6- and 7-inch iPads will mainly target the e-book reader market, separating them from the 9.7-inch model, which mainly targets multimedia entertainment, the sources stated.
Reading further into the report, DigiTimes’ Mingchi Kuo believes this development is unlikely due to Samsungs’ (the current dominant OLED manufacturer) can’t keep up with existing demand, and is predominantly interested in the more profitable netbook segment of the market.
In short, suppliers can’t keep up with the current demand for the iPad, let alone an additional line of iPads. Plus, I expect Apple to make bigger iPads in the future, not smaller ones. Otherwise, creating smaller iPad models would blur the line between the company’s iPod touch and iPad product lines, and I can’t see the benefit in doing such a thing.
That said, we have heard rumors like this before.
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