The Internet is rapidly churning out Apple related rumors today. Along with the peeks at the iPhone 5, the iPad 3 is said to have switched contracts from Foxconn. Also, the popular tablet device’s release date may have been narrowed down to this November.
According to a report by the Taiwan Economic News, the Taiwan-based Pegatron manufacturer has allegedly outbid Hon Hai for the iPad 3’s production. Hon Hai owns Foxconn and manufactures many of Apple’s products including the iPad 2. The new iPad contract marks the second Apple order that Pegatron has snatched up—first breaking up Hon Hai’s supply dominance with an order for 15 million iPhone 5 units earlier this month. For consumers, the new manufacturer will mean that Apple won’t have such a hard time meeting demand.
The report notes that Apple has reportedly been looking for a way to decrease dependence on Hon Hai, perhaps due to the horrible May explosion in China’s Chengdu factory which led to the injuries and even deaths of many workers. However, even if Apple switches iPad contracts to Pegatron, the parts supply chain won’t be shaken up. Suppliers for iPad parts will stay the same including TPK Holdings (touch panels) Largan Precision (camera lens modules) and Simplo Technology and Dynapack International Technology (battery pack modules).
In a related tidbit found by BGR in the China Times—Apple will supposedly be launching the new iPhones in the second week of September and the iPad 3 release will follow in two months. The iPad 3 release has been delayed due to part shortage, though they are trying to get it out around Thanksgiving. The new iPad rumor may not have sturdy legs given that the iPad 2 was just unveiled March of this year.
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