5.6-Inch and 7-Inch OLED iPad Models Coming in Q4 2010?

[MacRumors]

DigiTimes today reports on rumors that Apple is looking to launch its second-generation iPad as soon as the fourth quarter of this year, adding OLED-based 5.6-inch and 7-inch models to its existing 9.7-inch LED display model.

The sources noted that Apple has recently placed new iPad orders to Taiwan-based component makers for the fourth quarter of 2010 and the first quarter of 2011 with 9.7-inch, 5.6-inch and 7-inch models all included.

The 9.7-inch model will see some minor changes, while Apple will add Chimei Innolux (CMI) as one of its panel suppliers.

The new 5.6- and 7-inch iPads will mainly target the e-book reader market, separating them from the 9.7-inch model, which mainly targets multimedia entertainment, the sources stated.

The report also suggests that Taiwanese manufacturer Compal will be producing the new iPads, a surprise given earlier expectations that Pegatron would be the manufacturer brought on board to supplement Apple's existing production for iOS devices through Foxconn.

DigiTimes' own research analyst , Mingchi Kuo, casts some doubt on the rumors, however, claiming that Samsung, the world's dominant OLED manufacturer, can't even keep up with demand from its own product lines, and even with new investments in production there appears to be no way the company could ramp up production to the levels needed by Apple within the timeframe indicated.

Kuo also claims that Compal would be unlikely to be interested in producing the new iPad models given the scant profit margins available on the device in relation to its current profitable work assembling netbooks.

While claims of OLED displays for a number of Apple products have been around for many years without coming to fruition, DigiTimes in April specifically floated the idea of an OLED display for the second-generation iPad, but noted that pricing and production volume issues were likely to preclude the possibility. DigiTimes has also reported in April that Apple was looking to launch a smaller iPad in the 5- to 7-inch range as soon as the first quarter of next year.

Article Link: 5.6-Inch and 7-Inch OLED iPad Models Coming in Q4 2010?

 

[Rm.237]

A 5.6-Inch iPad? How cute.

 

[iDisk]

I pray these minor changes, to the 9.7" model dont mean more ram and faster processor or better display.

i think apple is going to allow printing with the iPad at the iOS 4 update in fall for the 9.7" model. Steve believes that you can do alot of content creation on this device. I agree with his assessment, I have already typed a 14page paper in pages for iWORK

 

[stewart715]

Not retina, I guess. Expected though.

 

[barkomatic]

I'm not sure about the timeframe mentioned, but smaller higher resolution iPads certainly seem plausible at some point. Personally, I'd like to see a 15 inch version as well.

 

[WhySoSerious]

3 versions of an iPad...? COMPLETELY unnecessary.

 

[bacaramac]

I personally think this should be page 2. Seems like it would depart from Apples current focus. I.e. Retina display. I mean how many resolutions could remain compatible with existing apps.

 

[3460169]

Yay. Yet more iOS fragmentation.

 

[zedsdead]

If the resolution is the same, I can see it happening since apps will not need to be altered. Otherwise I don't see this happening.

 

[talkingfuture]

Doesn't seem right to me. If Apple are buying these panels I reckon they may be for something else, not sure what though.

 

[pelicanflip]

"targets the ebook reader market"

The iPad already does that. A 5.6 inch OLED model is a waste of time and resource.

At that point, it really does become an oversized iPod Touch. The whole point of the iPad was the multitouch capabilities with the large screen.

 

[sths-gr]

Yay. Yet more iOS fragmentation.

exactly

 

[Hellhammer]

5.6" that fits in a pocket is something that I might buy if it has something that my iPhone does not

 

[kingofwale]

to targe e-book reader, are those iPads capable of letting people read the screen for hours without suffering eye-bleeding?

or is apple still stand by its statement that people just don't read for a long period of time?

 

[iDisk]

"targets the ebook reader market"

The iPad already does that. A 5.6 inch OLED model is a waste of time and resource.

At that point, it really does become an oversized iPod Touch. The whole point of the iPad was the multitouch capabilities with the large screen.

This rumor could be referring to a redesigned iPod Touch to better set it apart from the iPhone and iPad talk.

 

[MacModMachine]

this is clearly not happening.....

if it was Gizmodo would have had some stolen prototypes by now...

 

[dagamer34]

Last I checked, there are only 2 devices in the wild that have OLED screens larger than 5 inches and one of them got cancelled. Plus, no OLED manufacturer can produce millions of screens a month. Heck, there are even shortages of the much simpler cellphone-sized screens!

No, this analyst is speaking from his rear. There will be no updated iPad this year. To try and do that is to throw sand in people's faces.

 

[bassjunky]

Well, whatever the size and differences between the models, they'll all have cameras and FaceTime, right?

 

[TalkAboutApple]

I think I'd like the 7"...story of the 3 bears.

 

[neurobound]

Wouldn't it be cool if there were a smaller ipad out there, one you could fit in your pocket... Maybe even make phone calls on!?

Oled display!? You mean like the ones that dont work very well in bright sunlight that were dumped in favor of lcd in the latest iphone?!

... Lame rumor.

 

[BornAgainMac]

This has to be a joke.

 

[sportster]

I really don't see there being 3 different display sizes, that would be over kill... I do see a new iPad in the near future, with minor hardware updates, maybe the newer screen, and camera... but, who knows its all just speculation right now. Time will tell

 

[Bodhi395]

Makes no sense, Apple won't fragment the iPad market that quickly, especially since the current model is selling so well. Also, no need for such small devices, since you basically are down in the ipod touch/iphone arena then, especially on a 5.6 inch screen.

Targeting ebook readers doesn't seem in Apple's plans, as they are going for a more high end and multiple use platform. I think they are willing to leave that low cost/small screen ebook market to the nook/sony/kindle.

 

[Jelite]

Something, something, big ipod touch etc.

 

[murkurb]

Yeah, I'm not feeling this either. 3 different sizes, wifi, 3G+wifi....what's next?

I think the standard iPad size is fine for everything.