In An Attempt To Improve iPad 2 Availability, Apple Adds Another Backlight Maker
by Joe White
May 25, 2011
Apple is rumored to have added another backlight maker to its iPad 2 component suppliers, in an attempt to improve iPad 2 availability. Apparently, the new supplier is Coretronic - a Taiwanese company that specializes in making backlight units for LED TVs.
The news comes from Digitimes, who published the rumor in an article that hit the Web earlier today:
Rumors have surfaced that Taiwan-based backlight module maker Coretronic will become a supplier for Apple's iPad. The shipment penetration rate of Coretronic's BLUs for LED TVs reached 35% in first-quarter 2011 and it expects the penetration to reach 40% in the second. Fellow Taiwan-based BLU maker Radiant is also a supplier for Apple.Following the launch of the iPad 2, Apple struggled to meet demand. In fact, in North America, many Apple fans were unable to purchase an iPad 2 during the first few weeks of the device's availability. Now, Apple has survived the initial wave of iPad 2 hype, but the company must ensure that it can continue to meet demand. Obviously, the pressure will increase towards the end of the year - in 2010, Apple's original iPad was one of the most-wanted Christmas gifts. We'll keep you posted on the status of iPad 2 suppliers, and in the meantime feel free to share your thoughts on the second generation iPad in the comments. [via Apple Insider]