According to a report by Reuters, Sharp Corp has reduced its production of 9.7 inch screens for the iPad, in what can only be seen as a slow down in demand. According to Reuters, Macquarie Research said:
iPad shipments will tumble nearly 40 percent in the current quarter to about 8 million from about 13 million in the fourth quarter, although Apple’s total tablet shipments will show a much smaller decrease due to strong iPad mini sales.
It is unclear at this stage whether interest in Apple’s products is waning, as the reduce in demand could simply be a result of consumers opting for the iPad Mini instead, which was launched last November.
Sharp Corp is not the only supplier of the 9.7 inch displays, and there has been no indication from its supplier Samsung Display of any decrease in orders, however its biggest supplier LG Display has apparently (according to a person familiar with the goings on at LG Display who told Reuters) seen its screen production fall this current quarter.
Both Apple and Sharp Corp declined to comment on the rumors, with a Sharp spokeswoman stating:
We don’t disclose production levels.
Times are tough for Apple, as they are facing strong competition from rival products, along with a shift by many to the slightly smaller 7 inch screens, although Apple have released the iPad Mini in response to that. One thing is for sure, Apple will need to push its innovation to remain in its dominant position it has enjoyed for so long.
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