The IT market has recently seen rumors that Apple is preparing to adopt AMOLED panel or Full HD resolution support into its new iPad, while the company reportedly will launch its next generation iPad 3 in the third quarter of 2011; however, upstream component makers pointed out that the iPad 3 rumor may just be wishful thinking and misreporting.
Sources from touch panel makers pointed out that Apple recently released its latest tablet PC plan and is asking the panel makers to provide products that are capable to support higher image quality than the current iPad 2 and Apple may even choose AMOLED panel or panel that support Full HD standard to accomplish the plan. However, since the project is still at the initial planning stage, the actual products are unlikely to appear in 2011.
Some sources pointed out that since AMOLED technologies are still mostly controlled by Korea-based Samsung Electronics, while Apple has competition with Samsung over tablet PC sales, if Apple is adopting AMOLED panel into its device, Apple would be facing a great risk having the key technologies being held by its competitors.
As for the iPad 3 rumor, the sources from upstream component makers pointed out that the new rumored device should be an upgrade version of iPad 2 or an iPad 2 version that supports different communication format. Since Apple just released its iPad 2 in early March and is ready to start mass shipping, launching the iPad 3 would simply bite off share from its iPad 2.
The sources pointed out that they have not yet received any notice for next generation iPad products and do not believe iPad 2 is a transitional product. With iPad 2's strong shipment order forecast from Apple, the sources believe iPad 3 will not appear in the short term.