Apple Buys Up Touch Panels Delaying RIM's Tablet Release

[MacRumors]

DigiTimes reports that RIM's PlayBook tablet PC is set to launch on April 19th, but that this date was a month behind the original target date. Besides ongoing software testing, RIM was also unable to procure enough touch panels since "Apple already booked up most of the available capacity".

Apple is believed to have invested $3.9 billion in order to guarantee long term supply of LCDs for the next few years. Apple had already suffered from shortages during the first iPad's launch and likely recognized it as a strategic long-term investment, much like their long term flash-memory purchase in 2005.

The move already seems to be affecting supply of competitors including the RIM playbook. While the Playbook uses a smaller 7" screen than the iPad's 10", there are only so many companies that supply touch panel displays and it seems Apple has saturated their production capabilities.

Article Link: Apple Buys Up Touch Panels Delaying RIM's Tablet Release

 

[ten-oak-druid]

This gives RIM time to rethink their tablet.

 

[Sodner]

Ha ha! Way to go Apple!!!! Kill the competition any way you can!!

Apple is doing everyone a favor saving them from the mistake of getting a RIM tablet.

 

[Hammer God]

Apple Competitors: "I wish we had $50 billion in cash to do this sort of thing."

 

[MovieCutter]

Apple is probably one of the most strategically intelligent tech companies in the world right now. Not just forward-thinking in terms of disabling their competitors...but just wicked smart.

 

[WildGuess]

They can have my screen. It only bleeds on the edges. Still enough real estate for a seven inch model.

 

[talkingfuture]

That cash mountain that Apple have must be really useful for this kind of thing.

 

[mdlooker]

Apple seems to have a choking mechanism at every corner. First innovation then price, market saturation and now production! Seems like a chess game going bad or even turning all the houses into hotels on every street. lol

 

[Satori]

Shame - a bit of competition couldn't hurt iPad development.

 

[Agent OrangeZ]

Money talks...

 

[PygmySurfer]

So, what is Apple doing with a bunch of 7" touch screens, since Jobs said "7 inch tablets are dead on arrival"?

I also don't recall RIM ever giving a date before April 19th.

 

[Xtremehkr]

RIM was the smartphone market for a brief period of time, they really should be doing better than what they are right now.

RIM didn't have any vision, though, and were eclipsed by Apple and Google.

I owned a BB Storm and it was a piece of junk, the Torch fell flat and now the Playbook has been delayed.

I wonder who is going to buy RIM out, they are in desperate need of a hit product. RIM needs a halo product as badly as Apple did before the iPod came out.

 

[Satori]

So, what is Apple doing with a bunch of 7" touch screens, since Jobs said "7 inch tablets are dead on arrival"?

I also don't recall RIM ever giving a date before April 19th.

This is about production capacity rather than specific sizes of screen.

 

[RalfTheDog]

I don't understand, Apple can't let RIM have 12 panels? When they sell off those 12 units, Apple can let them have 12 more.

 

[toddybody]

Ehh, purposeful or not (as a sabotage)...not good news for iPad competition Which isnt good news for us iPad users...Apple needs constant pressure to release revolutionary products.

 

[devilstrider]

Many companies should have thought about this when Japan got hit.

 

[Satori]

I don't understand, Apple can't let RIM have 12 panels? When they sell off those 12 units, Apple can let them have 12 more.

Lol... if they let RIM have 12, then they'll have to let everyone have 12!

 

[Warbrain]

I have an invite to a launch party for the Playbook. I just chuckled.

 

[Omniblast]

I have an invite to a launch party for the Playbook. I just chuckled.

You should bring your iPad.

 

[moderately]

Ehh, purposeful or not (as a sabotage)...not good news for iPad competition Which isnt good news for us iPad users...Apple needs constant pressure to release revolutionary products.

I do wonder if this is true. They may need the pressure to upgrade specs but the revolutionary products seem to come because that is their passion.

 

[Dr McKay]

And I'm betting Steve gloats about how little the competition have sold at the next keynote.

 

[Al Coholic]

I see the short sighted Apple pom-pom shakers are once again giddy with excitement. The juvenile remarks are embarrassing.

For some strange reason you think monopolies are good for consumers.

 

[shingi70]

Wow I'm suprised that people. Are saying it sucks before its out. Could anyone tell me why excatly its a bad product. Seems that it will be great for enteprise with the bb bridge.

 

[P-Worm]

I see the short sighted Apple pom-pom shakers are once again giddy with excitement. The juvenile remarks are embarrassing.

For some strange reason you think monopolies are good for consumers.

How is Apple a monopoly in this case? There is nothing stopping other companies from entering the LCD business and making more displays. Just because Apple has a lot of money to buy things does not make them a monopoly.

P-Worm

 

[-Ken-]

I wonder if this affects HP's Touchpad. HP has deep pockets as well though.