Apple is working with its suppliers in Asia to start production of the next generation iPad in October and will launch the new tablet computers early next year, the Wall Street Journal reported on August 22. The report said that the iPad 3 is expected to feature a high resolution display and that Apple had already ordered components for 1.5 million units in the fourth quarter.
"Suppliers will ramp up production and try to improve the yield rate for the new iPad in the fourth quarter before its official launch in early 2012," said a person at an unnamed supplier, according to the paper.
Like many high tech companies Apple does not manufacture its own devices, farming out the job to manufacturing specialists primarily in Taiwan and China.
Apple is the overwhelming leader of the tablet computer market, selling 9.3 million units in its fiscal third quarter and controlling over 80 per cent of the market.