iPad 2 to arrive around Valentine's Day - Taiwanese reports
New slab to be even more fondlesome
Apple looks set to release the next version of its iPad in February next year – that is if a claim bubbling up in Taiwan is to be believed.
DigiTimes reported today that iPhone and iPad manufacturing giant Foxconn has been told to build 400,000 to 600,000 units of Apple’s next iteration of its much-loved fondle slab in the next 100 days.
Component makers in Taiwan said Foxconn, which reportedly declined to comment, had received the notification from Apple to be ready to ship the units by February 2011.
It's understood that Apple had hoped to get the iPad 2 out the door next month, but testing of the gizmo’s firmware is still ongoing, according to DigiTimes.
The next version of the iPad is rumoured to come loaded with Apple’s FaceTime tech, a front-facing camera and chips that allow the fondle slab to run on both CDMA and GSM networks.
In November, Foxconn faced more worker protests, with about 7,000 staff members taking to the streets to protest against poor pay and plans to relocate some work to inland provinces.
Presumably that hasn't proved a stumbling block yet to production of the iPad 2 model. ®
COMMENTS
I for one
shall be buying one. All in the name of R&D you understand.
Mmmm toys.
Foxconn protests?
I know it's fashionable to diss the way Foxconn treats employees, but how many major Chinese industry park employees have the freedom to protest?
The Foxconn employees might have it bad compared to us in the UK and US, but compared to the rest of China they have it pretty easy. Western perception has made sure of that; in a way we should be applauding Apple for choosing Foxconn (where people CAN complain). The alternative is an unnamed facility in central China with no media reports of employee abuse... which might be good for western companies' PR, but not so good for the actual employees.
Limited edition
There will also be a limited edition of the iPad 2 which has a handle protuding from where the dock connector is located. This new device is rumoured to be called the iPad le
I know it wasn't that funny but I couldn't stop myself..
"testing of the gizmo’s firmware is still ongoing"
After the disastrous Lemon 4, it must the new process - testing them in the factory and not in the users hand.
Guess this news will flatten sales of Version 1 and boost those of Samsung Galaxy pads for those wanting one for Christmas.
So
Breaking news.
Man With Ipad Already Out In Coffee Shop In A VERY VERY Small Part Of The World welcomes these changes.
Apple, you are go for launch.
