Sharp Reportedly Cutting iPad Display Production Amid Shift in Consumer Interest to iPad Mini

[MacRumors]

Reuters reports that Sharp, one of Apple's primary display panel partners for its mobile devices, has slashed production of iPad displays at one of its plants. Sources did not indicate the reasons for the dramatic cut, but it appears to be a combination of a shift in consumer interest to the smaller iPad mini and a natural seasonal slowdown coming out of the holiday quarter.

Sharp Corp has nearly halted production of 9.7-inch screens for Apple Inc's iPad, two sources said, as demand shifts to its smaller iPad mini.

Sharp's iPad screen production line at its Kameyama plant in central Japan has fallen to the minimal level to keep the line running this month after a gradual slowdown began at the end of 2012 as Apple manages its inventory, the industry sources with knowledge of Sharp's production plans told Reuters.

Apple also obtains iPad display panels from Samsung and LG Display, with a source at Samsung indicating that there has been no production cut there and a source at LG suggesting that any production cuts there were in line with typical seasonality.

Reports of cutbacks in iPad component production come close on the heels of reports that Apple has slashed orders for iPhone 5 parts, although there have been significant questions about the figures cited in those reports and whether the decline actually represents a weakening of demand.

Article Link: Sharp Reportedly Cutting iPad Display Production Amid Shift in Consumer Interest to iPad Mini

[japanime]

Will be interesting to see how the stock market reacts to this latest news.

[Rogifan]

Originally Posted by japanime

Will be interesting to see how the stock market reacts to this latest news.

No hard facts, unnamed sources, zero context, pure assumption. I'd hardly call this news.

[Mike MA]

And so? There has been cannibalization within the Apple product line ever since.

[japanime]

Originally Posted by Rogifan

No hard facts, unnamed sources, zero context, pure assumption. I'd hardly call this news.

I don't disagree with you. But the fact remains that the stock market pays attention to reports originating with major wire services like Reuters.

[Rogifan]

Originally Posted by japanime

I don't disagree with you. But the fact remains that the stock market pays attention to reports originating with major wire services like Reuters.

I don't care about the stock market (and I'm guessing MacRumors doesn't either). My issue is with sites like MacRumors, AppleInsider etc. reporting on this stuff and making conclusions based off basically nothing. IF this rumor is true, for all we know it could be because a new iPad is coming this quarter (we have heard rumors about that too) and Apple is moving to IGZO displays. But true or not, there is nothing in this story that would allow one to come to any conclusions. Yet true to form, that's what most people here are doing.

[CausticPuppy]

Originally Posted by japanime

Will be interesting to see how the stock market reacts to this latest news.

Based on previous events, I'd say the reaction will be highly irrational.

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Originally Posted by polbit

I still find it funny that the product Jobs said nobody wanted it stealing the tablet show at Apple by most accounts.

This was the same Steve Jobs who insisted that there would never, ever be a video iPod.

[notjustjay]

Originally Posted by CausticPuppy

This was the same Steve Jobs who insisted that there would never, ever be a video iPod.

Yeah. Steve said a lot of things.

He said nobody wanted to watch video on a tiny 2" screen. At least until the iPod with video came out.

He said nobody wanted flash mp3 players with small amounts of storage. At least until the iPod shuffle came out.

He said that web-based apps would suit the iPhone and iPod touch just fine, and that a developer SDK wasn't necessary.

He also said "You're holding it wrong."

[E.Lizardo]

Originally Posted by notjustjay

Yeah. Steve said a lot of things.

He said nobody wanted to watch video on a tiny 2" screen. At least until the iPod with video came out.

He said nobody wanted flash mp3 players with small amounts of storage. At least until the iPod shuffle came out.

He said that web-based apps would suit the iPhone and iPod touch just fine, and that a developer SDK wasn't necessary.

He also said "You're holding it wrong."

Don't forget iBooks,preceded by"people don't read books anymore."

[wovel]

Originally Posted by japanime

Will be interesting to see how the stock market reacts to this latest news.

Whatever it takes to keep the price down until 1/19.

[Digital Skunk]

I would have to say that I was rather taken by the iPad Mini. I've always considered my iPad to be too heavy and too big at times. It begs to be taken everywhere, but it's just big enough to need a dedicated bag when I do take it out of my office.

My Note 2 has since replaced the iPad for most of the mobile work I do, but I've been eyeballing a more up-to-date Mini to fill in the need for an actual tablet.

[TallManNY]

Originally Posted by Digital Skunk

I would have to say that I was rather taken by the iPad Mini. I've always considered my iPad to be too heavy and too big at times. It begs to be taken everywhere, but it's just big enough to need a dedicated bag when I do take it out of my office.

My Note 2 has since replaced the iPad for most of the mobile work I do, but I've been eyeballing a more up-to-date Mini to fill in the need for an actual tablet.

Right there with you. Nexus 7 is getting the love for its portability. But it seems too small for real work to get done on it. I haven't even bothered to get my work email connected to it. IPad Mini with Retina is really the device I want. I feel like I can have that on the table during a high powered business meeting and everyone will know and understand what it is. My Nexus 7 I think is going to look too gamey and toy like. And it is too small for document work. But I love how it slips into my suit pocket.

[mrsir2009]

Originally Posted by japanime

Will be interesting to see how the stock market reacts to this latest news.

Like they react to all Apple news: ”Apple is doomed!”

[newdeal]

maybe they are transitioning production in these factories to IGZO

[dlewis23]

Originally Posted by newdeal

maybe they are transitioning production in these factories to IGZO

That would be a good reason.

[BornAgainApple]

And investors will overreact once again.

[HenryDJP]

Originally Posted by BornAgainApple

And investors will overreact once again.

Well that's part of the game and to be fair about it, this very forum is the most overreactive set of "humans" known to man.

"A distance friend of a friend of a friend of a source SAID they HEARD that Apple MIGHT be giving up on electronics devices SOMEDAY".

After reading that this forum (AKA armchair CEO's) starts acting like whiny babies and stomping their feet saying, "How dare you Apple for ruining my life".

[carlgo]

Originally Posted by BornAgainApple

And investors will overreact once again.

The anal-ists and shorts still manipulate this stock, seemingly more than that of other companies. Maybe Apple should buy back a lot of it now.

90% of people are happy enough with the actual power of devices, leaving it up to screen technology and style and price to sell. And it seems short product cycles are the rule now as Apple is starting to compete with the product cycles of competitors and possibly even on price in the future.

[iGrip]

Originally Posted by BornAgainApple

And investors will overreact once again.

Like they did when the stock broke $700?

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Originally Posted by Ray Brady

That's not what he said.

He said that a 7 inch tablet cannot properly express tablet apps. Does it matter? The guy would say anything to get money.

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Originally Posted by simon.hibbs

Steve chose his words very carefully.

Yes he did. And the words were intended to create false impressions that would yield ever-larger profits for Apple, and not to convey any truth or reality.

Fer crissakes, the guy was a wealthy huckster. He was neither prescient nor a saint. His main goal was to take money out of your pocket and put it into the pockets on Wall Street.

"...the 10-inch screen size is the minimum size required to create great tablet apps."

--Steve Jobs

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Originally Posted by lozpop

Jobs talked about 7 inches tablets,

"...the 10-inch screen size is the minimum size required to create great tablet apps."

Yes, he was talking about 7 inch tablets, but he was talking about 8 inch tablets and 9 inch tablets too.

He claimed that a tablet like the iMini could not express great tablet apps. I guess Steve was just a fool, eh? Or maybe he was full of ****? Or a bald faced liar?

Or a typical money-grubbing corporate CEO type of guy? Dunno.

But he was not a saint. On that we can agree.

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Originally Posted by TC03

Except that makes no sense.

I think it was to be expected that iPad mini sales will cannibilize full size iPad sales, so shifting towards iPad mini displays instead of 9.7" displays makes sense.

I just don't see the problem here.

Each time a mini cannibalizes a sale of the full-priced product, Apple loses potential profits. Thus, their total profits fall, all other factors being equal.

Lost profits are a big problem for organizations whose entire purpose is to generate the greatest possible profits.

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Originally Posted by KPOM

The price is right, the lighter weight is almost perfect, and there is still plenty of room on the screen such that it is easy to use.

Maybe, but it is undisputedly true that the iPad Mini cannot express great tablet apps. Or so claimed Steve Jobs.

[AidenShaw]

Originally Posted by iGrip

I guess Steve was just a fool, eh? Or maybe he was full of ****? Or a bald faced liar?

Like the bald-faced lie that the PowerMac G5 was the "first 64-bit desktop" - when it wasn't the first, and it couldn't run any 64-bit software.

[KdParker]

Guess we will see what happens when the iPad mini have retina displays.

Looks like they might be more popular (largely based on price I would assume.)

[1080p]

Apple is DOOMED™

[simon.hibbs]

Originally Posted by 1080p

Apple is DOOMED™

Apple.
Proudly going out of business since 1976.

Simon Hibbs

[needfx]

the normal sized ipad team should start getting worried.

[Navdakilla]

Sound the alarms!!!!!