Display manufacturers ramping up production for 3Q - 4Q release, says newspaper

May 17, 2012 10:51 GMT  ·  By

LCD panel makers LG Display and AU Optronics are said to have received certification from Apple to start mass production of displays for the upcoming iPad mini, a rumored product that has been getting quite some attention in the media lately.

We’re still not convinced Apple is rolling out this niche product, but more and more reports are beginning to state the same thing: the Cupertino giant is pushing forward with plans to muffle the tablet industry with a new version of its popular tablet computer effectively leaving competition in a trail of dust.

Translating a report from The Liberty Times newspaper, one of the top four news agencies in Taiwan, Macotakara spreads the word that “LG Display and AU Optronics have already passed certification test for LCD panel for iPad mini, and have started to prepare to ship a part of productiion [sic].”

The launch is scheduled for 2012 3Q or 4Q, according to the report, “and target shipping amount seems to be expected to reach 6 million.” All this is strikingly consistent with recent rumors regarding a potential “mini” iPad.

As for the backlighting modules inside the new device, some four million units will be produced by the likes of TPK Holding and Chimei Innolux. Touch film sensors, the third key component making up a typical touch-capable LCD display, will reportedly come via Nissha Printing.

There’s no doubt Apple has analyzed its options and even tested prototype mini iPads in its labs. After all, they didn’t end up pursuing the 10-inch form factor without trying out the rest.

The iPad mini frenzy really kicked off last week when Apple-centric blog iMore quoted trusted sources as saying that “Apple will be going forward with the 7-inch iPad, currently targeting an October 2012 release alongside the new iPhone.”

Apple’s plan was deemed diabolical: “leave absolutely no space for competitors.”