A JPMorgan analyst told clients that suppliers could start delivering iPad Pro components to Apple partner Foxconn starting in September, adding weight behind the large format tablet's rumored October launch. According to the analyst, the iPad Pro will come with new touchscreen technology, and Apple is recruiting new suppliers to provide components for the highly anticipated tablet.
A new glass-film-film, or GFF, touchscreen could be used on the iPad Pro, the analyst said, which would improve the screen's accuracy. This would be an improvement over the current glass-film screen technology used on the current iPad Air 2 and iPad Mini 3.
The speculation for a new, more accurate touchscreen technology is consistent with the iPad Pro's rumored support for a Bluetooth stylus. The stylus could make input more accurate, and potentially help Apple compete in the pen-dominated space that's occupied by Samsung's Galaxy Note Pro 12.2 and Microsoft's Surface Pro 3 slates.
And for the first time, touch, display and assembly of the screen could be controlled by Hon Hai, whose subsidiary Foxconn is an Apple partner that assembles iPhones, Macs and other Apple products.
Ready for October?
There have been conflicting rumors on when Apple will debut the iPad Pro. Early rumors suggested that the tablet may make it in time for Apple's unveiling on September 9. In addition to the iPad Pro, Apple is expected to reveal refreshes for Apple TV, iPhone and existing models in the iPad franchise at that event.
However, more recent rumors suggest that the iPad Pro won't be announced until October. If this is the case, industry observers believe that availability will come soon after the announcement.
According to the analyst note, Apple is expected to produce one million units of the iPad Pro each month for the remainder of the year. As with most Apple product launches, inventory may be constrained at launch, so there could be delays in shipment times for those who don't pre-order early.
What makes it Pro?
The iPad Pro is expected to be a productivity-centric tablet, likely catering to business users who want a laptop replacement. Apple had focused on productivity features when it unveiled iOS 9 earlier this summer at WWDC 2015, like split-screen multitasking and picture-in-window videos. Additionally, iOS 9 will come with an improved on-screen keyboard and better support for Bluetooth keyboards, features that will benefit a larger tablet.
The iPad Pro is expected to have a 12-inch display, with leaks suggesting that the screen can go up to 12.9 inches. The screen is rumored to have a resolution of 2,048 x 2,732 pixels, an increase from the 2,048 x 1,536 pixels on Apple's current Retina display slates.
Stereo speakers for multimedia consumption, a stylus for content creation and even a new USB-C port round out some of the rumored features of the tablet.
There is no information on pricing for the iPad Pro at this time, but it is expected to cost more than the $499 (£325, AU$702) starting price of the iPad Air 2. For comparison, the 12-inch Surface Pro 3 starts at $799 (£520, AU$1,124). That tablet runs the full version of Windows and includes an N-Trig-based Surface Pen digitizer but doesn't ship with the optional Type Cover keyboard case.
Via: AppleInsider
- Read our iPad Pro coverage
September 01, 2015 at 12:42AM
Chuong Nguyen
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