Apple Inc.’s shipments of a new version of its iPad tablet computer may be delayed to June from April because of “production bottlenecks” at manufacturer Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Yuanta Securities Co. said. The delay seems to stem from design changes made by Apple before the Lunar new year according to a report by Vincent Chen and Alison Chen, analysts at Yuanta. More after the jump.
“Our checks suggest new issues are being encountered with the new production and it is taking time to resolve them, as a number of Android 3.0 tablets are being launched in April and May, the delay in iPad 2 shipments may give the Android camp a brief window of opportunity.”
Hon Hai, the Taipei-based contract manufacturer for Apple, dropped 2.2 percent to NT$111.50 at the close of Taipei trading, the lowest level since Dec. 2. It’s expected that a two month delay could lower iPad shipments to 23 million this year, compared to the 30.6 million forecast (a number derived as much from witchcraft as meaningful analysis).
Thus far, the iPad, introduced in April, made up 17 percent of sales last quarter. Apple has sold more than 15 million iPads so far. Meanwhile, the iPhone is still Apple’s top-selling product, accounting for 39 percent of revenue last fiscal year, according to data compiled by Bloomberg.
According to the Wall Street Journal. Apple has started producing an updated version of the iPad. The new model is said to be thinner, lighter and faster – with a more powerful processor and more memory. Of course, it’s also rumored to have the much requested front-facing camera.
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