Apple Taps Taiwan Company for Tablet Connectors, Industry Sources Claim

Apple has reportedly placed orders in Taiwan not only for the screens used in its forthcoming tablet device, but also for the connectors employed by the so-called “iSlate.” At this point, it is no longer a matter of “if” the rumored portable is coming, but when.

World of Apple has picked up on two reports suggesting that, “Apple is beginning to order components aimed for the long-rumoured multi-touch tablet,” one of which Softpedia covered recently. “Apple’s tablet is rumoured to be revealed during an event on January 26 and ship later in 2010,” the site adds.

However, it is not referring to the DigiTimes report saying that Apple has placed mass orders for 10-inch displays, strong glass panels, and connectors for a tablet akin to the iPod touch. Instead, World of Apple cites Taiwan’s Economic Daily as saying that, “Cheng Uei Precision Industry has been the beneficiary of an order for ‘connectors.’” “[...] The company is likely to ship the parts in 3Q 2010, not in line with previous suggestions of Apple timeframes,” the Apple-focused site informs.

Foxconn's optical glass-processing subsidiary G-Tech Optoelectronics will reportedly provide a glass-strengthening method for the device. Optical-film maker Wah Hong Industrial has also been contacted by Apple for component orders, various sources say. The Mac maker is expected to announce the tablet in January, with mass shipments to start in March or April.

Recent speculation has centered around the tablet’s name. It is believed that Apple will be calling the product “iSlate,” with company watchers digging up old documents attesting Apple’s interest in the dubbing, as well as Apple patent applications talking about technologies suitable for a tablet device. People familiar with Apple’s plans also say that the company behind Mac OS X has allegedly reserved a stage at the Yerba Buena Center for the Arts in San Francisco for late January for the big announcement.