Rumours: Apple iPad mini event October 17. Launch Nov 2.

WorldWide Tech & Science. Francisco De Jesùs.

ipad mini mock-up

Rumours: Apple iPad mini event October 17. Launch Nov  2.

Mass production of a smaller and cheaper version of Apple's iPad tablet computer has started, US media reported on Wednesday.

LG Display and AU Optronics, two leading LCD panel manufacturers based in Asia, already began manufacturing the LCD screens for Apple's new device in September, The Wall Street Journal said in a report, citing executives at Apple's Asian suppliers.

Apple has kept the screen size of its iPad unchanged at 9.7 inches since the product debuted in January 2010.

In comparison, a smaller Apple tablet will feature a 7.85-inch liquid-crystal display with a lower resolution than the latest iPad, according to The Wall Street Journal.

The launch of a smaller iPad is seen as Apple's move to stay competitive against rivals such as Google and Amazon, which have introduced 7-inch tablets at prices no more than 200 U.S. dollars. 

The Fortune magazine on Monday reported that Apple is rumored to be sending out press invitation on October 10 to a special event, which might be held on October 17 to unveil the smaller iPad, launching it in Nov 2.

Apple has not yet commented on the reports.

Source: Fortune

Apple cuts LCD panels supply from Samsung. Goes with LG for next iPads and Sharp.

WorldWide Tech & Science. Francisco De Jesùs.

Original post from Korea Times:

Apple cuts LCD panels supply from Samsung. Goes with LG for next iPads, and Sharp.

Apple has reduced purchases of liquid crystal display (LCD) panels for tablet computers from Samsung Display amid the deepening patent disputes, said a leading market research firm, Friday. Market experts said that the move is aimed at minimizing its reliance on Samsung parts An analysis by DisplaySearch showed Apple bought 683,000 display sheets for use in its 9.7-inch iPad tablet from Samsung Display in August this year ― a cut by nearly 50 percent from a month earlier. 9.7-inch displays are only being used in Apple iPads. In May, Samsung Display shipped 2.88 million sheets to Apple, which was a monthly record. But the shipments were down to 1.22 million in July from 2.5 million that Samsung sold to Apple in June, according to the research firm. Last year, the Cupertino-headquartered Apple spent about $7.8 billion on components from Samsung Electronics, mostly on application processors, memory chips and LCD screens. But Apple had begun turning to other suppliers in Japan, Taiwan and other Korean LCD and chipmakers such as LG Display and SK hynix as for the alternatives. ``This is the first time that Samsung Display shipped less than 1 million displays on a monthly basis since November last year. But we aren’t too worried,’’ said a senior Samsung official. In a meeting with local reporters Wednesday, Samsung’s chip business chief Jun Dong-soo said that the company ``won’t be aggressive’’ in terms of investment for facilities next year due to lingering external uncertainties. ``We are facing uncertainties. That means Samsung isn’t prepared to continuously increase facility investment,’’ said Jun. While Samsung is losing Apple’s business, its biggest cross-town rival LG Display is winning more orders from Apple. In August, Apple bought 3.83 million display sheets from LG for use in iPads from 3.4 million sheets in July. In March this year, LG just sold 886,000 screens for iPads, however, the monthly shipments were increasing to 2 million, 2.55 million and 3.39 million in April, May and June, according to DisplaySearch. Gary Sohn, the head of LG Display’s public relations office, declined to talk more about its Apple business. ``Apple has shifted its display supplement channels to LG and Sharp of Japan. LG Display solved quality-related matters for Apple products. Its `Apple line’ located in Paju is running at full capacity,’’ said an industry executive. Shinhan Financial, a local brokerage, raised its target on LG Display shares to 38,000 won from 32,000 won. ``LG Display will report over 1 trillion won in operating profit this year because it’s been shipping more screens to Apple’s flagship products,’’ said So Hyun-chul from Shinhan. The analyst said the Apple iPhone 5 is using LG screens, while Apple contracted with LG to buy big chunks of displays for use in its next iPad ― tentatively named the iPad 3 ― and mini iPad. Apple products such as the iPad, and iPhone continue to stress the display supply chain, given their cutting-edge performance specifications and strict quality control. Apple business is attractive to the display supply chain because it offers high volumes of a single model, which enables production stability. Apple displays offer higher average selling prices (ASPs) due to specifications such as slim width, light weight, high resolution, low power consumption, high color saturation and wide viewing angle. ``The display supply chain has started to gear up for Apple. In the second half of 2012, Apple will launch three new products _ iPhone 5, iPad Mini and New iPad model. These mobile devices will require displays with high resolution, slim form factor, light weight and low power consumption. And certainly, these features are keeping the display supply chain very busy,’’ DisplaySearch said. ``This is the story for all leading display makers but Samsung,’’ said another industry executive.

7 inch tablets makers to drop prices when the iPad Mini is released.

WorldWide Tech & Science. Francisco De Jesùs.

7 inch tablets makers to drop prices when the iPad Mini is released.

According to  Digitimes Apple will have a big influence on the 7-inch tablet market just like it currently has with its 9.7-inch iPad series and competitors will need to drop their tablet prices as well as provide more value-added features for the devices.

Tablets priced US$199-400 are expected to drop in price to US$150-200 in order to help non-Apple tablet makers stay competitive when Apple releases its reported 7.85-inch iPad.

New iPad Mini leaked pictures.

WorldWide Tech & Science. Francisco De Jesùs.

New iPad Mini leaked  pictures.

Rumors of an October launch of the iPad mini 7,85 inch tablet  surfaces last month together with the iPhone 5 announcement that happened in Sept 12.

The iPad Mini pictures below thanks to Chinese site Bolopad give us  to believe it is similar to the  iPad in a small size. No information about what processor , features, if it will have a retina display as well etc will come with the device. Front and rear camera, small connector and speakers at the bottom of it, is what we can see on the pictures:

bolopad

Apple`s iPad Mini does exist. Full panels production to start in August.

WorldWide Tech & Science. Francisco De Jesùs.

Apple`s iPad Mini does exist. Full  panels production to start in August.

"We expect panel production to start in August, with production ramping up to high volumes (more than a million units per month) in the fourth quarter," said Paul Semenza, an analyst at NPD DisplaySearch, in response to an e-mail query, by CNET.

Semenza said this is DisplaySearch's "understanding of the activity for the 7.85 inch panel expected to be used in the iPad Mini."

If this production schedule plays out, it could indicate a late 2012 launch, he said.

An announcement of the iPad Mini with the  new iPhone (5) for September 12 at Apple`s event, is unlikely. However anything might happen.

CNET

Related post: http://worldwidegadget.blogspot.com/2012/07/september-12-new-apple-event-iphone-5.html