“In an Oct. 6 research note, Ticonderoga Securities analyst Brian White reports that Apple is developing a smaller version of its uber-popular iPad and suggests that sales numbers of the original iPad could reach 45 million in 2011,” Elizabeth Woyke reports for Forbes.
“White, who is New York-based but currently in China and Taiwan conducting research, did not identify his Asia-based contact, but noted that the person’s employer supplies components used in the iPad,” Woyke reports. “The contact, says White, shipped more than 6 million parts to Apple during the third quarter of the year and expects to ship 7 million more in the fourth quarter.”
“Since Apple uses one unit of this particular component in each iPad, that adds up to shipments of 13 million iPads in the second half of 2010,” Woyke reports. “For 2011, the contact believes Apple will sell as many as 45 million iPads, adds White.”
Woyke reports, “White’s report contained a few other surprises, including some details about the next iteration of the iPad. His source believes the gadget will debut in the first quarter of 2011… White’s contact says the second-generation iPad will be smaller, with a screen that measures about seven inches, compared to the first iPad’s 9.7-inch screen. The new iPad will also include the high-resolution “Retina” display that the latest version of the iPhone (4) boasts, a micro or mini USB port, a camera and greater capacity of up to 128 gigabytes.”
Full article here.
MacDailyNews Take: If a 7-inch iPad is coming, we would expect it to be an addition to what would then become the iPad family, not a replacement for the 9.7-inch model which, of course, would be in line for upgrades. Think FaceTime capability, meaning at least one camera.
[Thanks to MacDailyNews Reader “Fred Mertz” for the heads up.]
