Apple anticipates selling 6 million iPad 2 a month, doubles up on touch panel suppliers, still no 7-inch model [Rumor!]

Everyone's favorite rumor sheet, Digitimes is back with yet more iPad 2 rumors, this time saying Apple expects to sell 6 million units a month of the next generation tablet in 2011, and to meet those numbers is lining up Chimei Innolux and Cando to current touch-panel suppliers Wintek, Sintek Photronics and TPK Touch Solutions. What's more:

Despite market reports stating that Apple is also likely to launch a 7-inch iPad as well as new iPhones, sources in Apple's supply chain in Taiwan claimed that they have not heard anything about orders for 7-inch touch panels.

So even with strong Galaxy Tab sales, Steve Jobs is sticking to his guns on that form factor being DOA... at least according the rumor-mill. This time.

[DigiTimes]

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.