We first told at the beginning of the month that Apple would be holding an event in March to announce the new iPad, more recently we gave you the date of March 2 for this event. We also had talk of the new device being delayed due to manufacturing problems, which were then denied. Now today new reports are saying that the new unit will not be delayed by much.
AppleInsider are reporting that an analyst Ming-Chi Kuo of Concord Securities is saying the next iPad is “likely near launch date”. This is based on checks with supply sources by Kuo, and he estimates Apple’s partner Foxconn is planning on making between 4.5 to 5 million units during the first quarter of this year, with up to 4 million units in April.
This compares with 3 to 4 million units that were made prior to launching of the original iPad. The analyst also predicts the supply chain is mainly on track for a release around the end of April or beginning of May.
Apple has sold almost 15 million iPads since it was first released last April, but it now has a lot more competition from other companies all wanting a slice of the pie. So Apple will be looking to raise its game to keep ahead of the competition.
With an announcement alleged to be taking place next week in San Francisco, we will finally get some official news from Apple about the next generation iPad, and only then we will have dates which can be taken seriously.
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