iPad 2

KingIsaacLinksr · February 22, 2011, 08:08:53 AM

Most inconvenient news I've read today.

The iPad 2 may be delayed due to "production bottlenecks" at manufacturing company Hon Hai Precision, parent company of Foxconn. This delay is partially the result of unspecified changes in the iPad 2 design made by Apple before the Lunar New Year on February 3, according to a report from Yuanta Securities analysts Vincent Chen and Alison Chen.

"Our checks suggest new issues are being encountered with the new production and it is taking time to resolve them," writes Chen. "As a number of Android 3.0 tablets are being launched in April and May, the delay in iPad 2 shipments may give the Android camp a brief window of opportunity."

A two month delay would push the iPad launch close to Apple's Worldwide Developers Conference and the expected launch date of the iPhone 5. It is possible that Apple could tie the announcement and launch of the two iOS devices together, but the retail debut of two extremely popular devices at the same would be a logistical nightmare. A delay would also cut into analyst's forecast of 30.6 million iPad shipments for 2011, a figure that could drop to 23 million following a delay.

We should note this latest report contradicts previous rumors that suggest the iPad 2 has entered production and is on track for a March release. Both the Wall Street Journal and Japanese website MacOtakara claim to have sources that confirm the iPad 2 is rolling off Asian production lines. According to Bloomberg, an Apple representative in Hong Kong declined to comment on this delay, and Hon Hai spokesperson Edmund Ding was not reachable.

Yuanta Securities analysts claim iPad 2 will be delayed until June originally appeared on TUAW on Tue, 22 Feb 2011 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

King

Rico · February 22, 2011, 08:12:42 AM

It would be really nice for Apple to make some type of official announcement on this. Truthfully, with my move back home I might not even need one of these anymore. So no real biggie to me for right now.

KingIsaacLinksr · February 22, 2011, 08:15:46 AM

Quote from: Rico on February 22, 2011, 08:12:42 AM
It would be really nice for Apple to make some type of official announcement on this. Truthfully, with my move back home I might not even need one of these anymore. So no real biggie to me for right now.

I'm going back and forth on this now. My main hope was to get one for college, but now its been delayed till past college this fiscal year, defeating the point of it. Argh.

But yes, it would be nice if Apple would make an announcement on it already.

King

X · February 22, 2011, 08:17:17 AM

Got me an Archos 7 home tablet and it does everything I need.

KingIsaacLinksr · February 22, 2011, 08:19:32 AM

Quote from: X on February 22, 2011, 08:17:17 AM
Got me an Archos 7 home tablet and it does everything I need.

7" is too small a screen for me.

I'm actually thinking now though with the lack of a higher-pixel screen, that I might just get the $500 iPad and then sell it off when the 2nd Gen comes out, if its good enough. Hard to say right now.

King

Bryancd · February 22, 2011, 08:59:29 AM

Quote from: Rico on February 22, 2011, 08:12:42 AM
It would be really nice for Apple to make some type of official announcement on this. Truthfully, with my move back home I might not even need one of these anymore. So no real biggie to me for right now.

They won't, nor should they. The only time they will announce a release date is pretty much the day before the release date. It's part marketing, part controlling expectations, part managing thier business. I would say that June is very likely for the iPad2, but it's all and will continue to be speculation. You would never pre-announce a new product, it would kill sales of your current product.

Rico · February 22, 2011, 09:35:05 AM

Yeah, that's partly true, but Apple has announced things weeks ahead in the past. Also, they then tend to sell the previous product at a discount to clear inventory. Another factor might be the other tablets coming out. Apple might want to snag up those sales so it's a balancing act.

Tim - maybe you should look into that buy back policy that Best Buy has been touting? I know you don't like that store much, but they've been pushing this buy back plan for tech items. Buy iPad one now and sell it back in a few months for version 2!

KingIsaacLinksr · February 22, 2011, 09:58:32 AM

That's a good idea actually Rico, I'll take a look at it. Thanks :).

King

KingIsaacLinksr · February 23, 2011, 01:05:21 AM

So I did take a look at the Best Buy buy-back program. While it is nice that a major store is offering to buy back your technology, its a bit restrictive.

First off: You have to buy into the program. I can't really get behind this part, its an additional upfront cost and I truly dislike programs that do this. (Extended useless warranties anyone?)

Second: When you take it back, you can only get a maximum of 50% of what you paid for it, and that's within 6 months of purchase. It is true though that they have restocking fees and technology tends to devalue (except Apple's tech which takes a long time to depreciate). But 50% only? Seems a bit harsh.

# Up to twelve months, the credit is 40%.
# Up to eighteen months, the credit is 30%.
# Up to twenty-four months, the credit is 20%.
# For televisions only, up to forty-eight months, the credit is 10%.

"Furthermore, when you return the equipment and trade it in for the credit, Best Buy will judge its condition. It must be rated "good" or "fair" to receive the full credit; if the product is in "poor" condition, the credit will be reduced by 50%."

Uhh, no thank you...I don't abuse my hardware, but I just have a feeling they'll pull a GameStop method on me.

Third: All you get is in-store credit. Not crazy about this either because who knows how long it'll take Apple to stock Best Buy, much less their own stores when iPad 2.0 hits the shelves. We all know how many ppl love their apples :P.

Thanks for the idea Rico, but if I do decide to plunge into the first gen iPad, I'll just sell it on eBay/friend when I'm done with it. From my end, its a lot less hassle to sell it that way than selling it back to Best Buy.

King

Bryancd · February 23, 2011, 05:08:40 AM

There's still a chance we could see an upgrade in April and then an even newer product in the fall.

http://www.appleinsider.com/articles/11/02/23/apples_ipad_2_supply_chain_on_track_despite_supply_constraints_analyst_says.html

Dangelus · February 23, 2011, 07:32:18 AM

Tim you'd be better off reselling privately on eBay or something if you were thinking of upgrading. Apple products sell for 70-80% of retail price pre-owned if they are still mint.

I've been looking at mint iPads on eBay and they are nor much cheaper used that brand new from Apple at the moment. Of course when version 2 comes out I expect thus to drop a little...

Rico · February 23, 2011, 07:50:32 AM

I was in Best Buy about a week ago and they had a whole cage full of iPads for sale. Lots of stock there right now.

billybob476 · February 23, 2011, 07:53:42 AM

Yeah no problems getting iPad 1's at this point. Apple stuff rarely goes on sale in retail.

X · February 23, 2011, 09:05:32 AM

Here's more news

http://www.appleinsider.com/articles/11/02/23/apple_sends_out_invites_for_ipad_2_media_event_on_march_2.html

moyer777 · February 23, 2011, 09:07:01 AM

Just yesterday, we reported that the iPad 2 could have been delayed, then this claim was later denied. Then All Things Digital claimed the iPad 2 would be announced on March 2nd. This claim has now turned out to be true. Apple has started sending invitations to members of the press for an event that will be held on March 2nd, 10:00 am, at the Yerba Buena Center in San Fransisco, California.

According to the invitation received by The Loop, the event will be held at the Yerba Buena Center for the Arts at 10:00 am. This is the same venue Apple has used to introduce a number of products in recent years.

The official specs are unknown as of yet, but soon we'll get to know them. Two cameras, an SD slot, and a higher screen resolution are expected, but still unconfirmed. There isn't much to say as of now. As always, we'll keep you informed as we get updates
http://www.neowin.net/news/ipad-event-confirmed-by-apple-for-march-2nd?utm_source=twitterfeed&utm_medium=twitter