Apple adding second manufacturer to meet demand for iPad 3 this fall?

Apple adding second manufacturer to meet demand for iPad 3 this fall?

Randomly accurate rumor site Digitimes claims that Apple is adding a second contractor to meet iPad 3 (or iPad 2 HD/Pro/Plus) demand this fall. That's right, they're also throwing their hat into the "Apple launching a second iPad in 2011" ring.

The latest market rumors also indicated that the new iPad may be named iPad 2 plus and will be thinner than its predecessors yet with upgraded display.The new iPads will be launched at the end of the third quarter or early in the fourth quarter, noted the sources. Total shipments of iPad tablet PCs are expected to top 13 million units in the third quarter, estimated the sources.

They're pegging Petagron, which makes the Verizon iPhone and might get iPhone 5 business, as being the additional manufacturer. Despite being far and away the market leader, Apple has struggled to meet demand for both iPhone and iPad, and it makes sense they'd like to address this one chink in their otherwise adamantine mobile armor.

Digitimes

Rene Ritchie
Contributor

Rene Ritchie is one of the most respected Apple analysts in the business, reaching a combined audience of over 40 million readers a month. His YouTube channel, Vector, has over 90 thousand subscribers and 14 million views and his podcasts, including Debug, have been downloaded over 20 million times. He also regularly co-hosts MacBreak Weekly for the TWiT network and co-hosted CES Live! and Talk Mobile. Based in Montreal, Rene is a former director of product marketing, web developer, and graphic designer. He's authored several books and appeared on numerous television and radio segments to discuss Apple and the technology industry. When not working, he likes to cook, grapple, and spend time with his friends and family.