“Apple Inc.’s stranglehold on parts supplies forced a month-long delay in the release of Research In Motion Ltd.’s PlayBook tablet computer, a report from Taiwanese trade publication DigiTimes said Thursday,” Michael Lewis reports for The Toronto Star.
“It said PlayBook shipments were postponed partly because Apple had already booked most of the available capacity of touch display panels,” Lewis reports. “The component is needed to manufacture the 7-inch BlackBerry PlayBook, which is set for full commercial rollout starting on April 19.”
Lewis reports, “DigiTimes said assembler Quanta Computer and connector maker Foxlink, also an Apple supplier, are picking up the pace of component deliveries to RIM because they see the PlayBook as one of this year’s major tablet orders.”
MacDailyNews Take: Delusional.
Lewis reports, “Apple said in its most recent earnings call that it had invested $3.9 billion (U.S.) of its nearly $60 billion in cash reserves in long-term supply contracts. The company declined to reveal the components involved, citing competitive concerns, but analysts say the investment was related to touch displays.”
Read more in the full article here.
[Thanks to MacDailyNews Reader “Sarah” for the heads up.]