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29 March 2024

Cameras, 4G, Android: all about the iPad2

Appleā€™s Chinese manufacturer Foxconn Electronics had been notified that initial shipments of between 400,00 to 600,000 iPad2 units would begin by the end of February with sales expected to begin in April (AP)

Published
By Miranda Smith

Technophiles everywhere can allow themselves to get excited now. In response to a blitz of me-too products, Apple is expected to debut a new iPad next year.

The iPad, of course, debuted this year to rude jokes and all-round applause and has provided a much needed boost for a global technology sector still struggling with patchy demand.

Why a new iPad so quickly?

Other tech brands such as Dell , Acer and BlackBerry maker Research in Motion have all also jumped on the tablet PC bandwagon, having unveiled their own versions of the mobile device.

Besides, fans and technophiles alike feel there's a lot of room for improvements.

Improvements such as what?

Well, cameras for a start. One of the biggest complaints about the iPad is that it doesn't have front- or rear-facing cameras for videoconferencing.
Weight is another big complaint, because at 1.5 pounds, the iPad tends to get a bit unwieldy after long periods of use.

And the new iPad would be a perfect candidate for a 4G chip, although this will drive prices up.

OK. Do we know anything concrete?

Component suppliers for Apple are gearing up for a new round of production in the first quarter, Retuers quoted sources as saying. One source said the product will be a revamp of the popular tablet computer including front- and back-mounted cameras.

Touchscreen chip designer Wintek Corp , battery maker Simplo Technology and AVY Precision, an unlisted maker of covers for electronic products, are among suppliers for the next batch of iPads, four people familiar with the situation said.

Two could only confirm they were ramping up for a new round of production in the first quarter for components previously supplied for the original iPad, while two said the ramp-up was for a new iPad.

One of those said the revamped model would feature cameras on the front and rear, while the other said the new model would be slimmer, lighter and have a better resolution display.

Camera module makers Genius Electronic Optical and Largan Precision were also starting new supply deals with Apple, two sources said, but neither could confirm for which product the modules were intended.

Component makers generally do not know what a finished product will look like or what software it will run on because they are only responsible for manufacturing one part before passing it on for assembly.

When can we expect it to drop?

"It makes sense for these suppliers to begin delivering their goods in February," said Steven Tseng, an analyst at RBS in Taipei. "I think Steve Jobs will announce the new product in January, and we should see the new product hitting shops in about April."

Expect a debut at the Consumer Electronics Show in January.

The introduction of a revamped iPad in the first half of 2011 would also be in line with the company's previous practice, with small changes made to its products about once every year.

The original iPad was launched on January 27 this year.

Apple’s Chinese manufacturer Foxconn Electronics had been notified that initial shipments of between 400,00 to 600,000 iPad2 units would begin by the end of February with sales expected to begin in April, AP reported.

How many computers are they shipping?

Apple is expected to ship 12.9 million iPads this year, with shipments rising to 36.5 million in 2011, research firm iSuppli said in July, reflecting an 84 per cent share of the tablet PC market.

As for next year, the iPad is expected to make up for about 70 per cent of the 60 million tablet PCs that will be shipped in 2011, brokerage SinoPac Securities said in a note.

What do they have to worry about?

Android, according to experts. "I expect to see more tablet PCs being pushed out in the second half of next year," said Bamboo Lin, an analyst at SinoPac Securities in Taipei.

"Sales of the iPad will still be good next year, but I expect those running on Google's Android system to have the advantage in the long run, just like what's happening with smartphones now."