According to a Japanese newspaper, Apple has dropped plans to invest in a production facility at Sharp and decided to use Toshiba as the sole manufacturer of liquid crystal displays for the iPhone.
A rumor that Apple is planning to invest $1 billion in a new Sharp factory for building screens for its iPhone and iPad products has resurfaced, just days after a separate report claimed that the next-generation iPad has been delayed in part because of production constraints from the supplier.
Contrary to recent reports that Apple would invest $1 billion in an LCD manufacturing plant from Sharp, industry insiders believe it's more likely that Apple is simply making an advance payment to secure display components.
Sharp is said to be ramping up production of LCD panels for the next-generation iPad after an investment from Apple for its manufacturing facilities, according to a new report.
As rumors continue to swirl that Apple is preparing to launch a connected television set, a new report claims it is highly unlikely that the company will release such a device in the second quarter of 2012 because Sharp has limited production of the IGZO panels reportedly bound for the device.
Foxconn and Sharp are considering a $1 billion investment in a Japanese LCD plant in order to build more display panels for Apple's iPhone and other devices.
Terry Gou, the chairman of Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., has demanded a management role at Sharp before his company will agree to invest in the struggling LCD maker.
Apple's annual capital expenditures report came in $2.3 billion higher than anticipated, which has led one analyst to believe Apple could have put a significant amount of money into key but struggling supplier Sharp.
As it is believed to be gearing up to launch its own television, Apple initially considered investing in Sharp's LCD business, but the company instead opted to let its manufacturing partner Foxconn fill that role, according to a new report.
[B]iMAX1[/B], thanks for pulling all those together. I was hoping someone would cite a link, and look what happened. Where there's smoke there's fire. Can't wait to see how this turns out.
You know, if Apple used IGZO displays and produced a MBPr that absolutely took the world by storm, but cut their margin by 3% to 5% to maintain the same retail price... The entire bottom would fall out of Apple's stock and analysts would be predicting Apple's total doom!!!
"An oxide semiconductor, IGZO is about 10 times faster in electron mobility than an amorphous silicon semiconductor. This allows the technology to consume far less power in operation. IGZO also requires smaller wiring, which also contributes to its lower power consumption. "
This screams iDevice. Plus the smaller screens should be less of a quality control or manufacturing challenge.
Japanese electronics maker Sharp announced on Wednesday that Samsung will invest some $112 million for a 3 percent stake in the company, with the deal providing for the long-term supply of LCD panels.
"Sharp plans to put the proceeds toward the development of high-definition LCD technologies and investment in facilities dedicated to the manufacture of mobile LCD panels."
Sharp, a key supplier of components that go into iPads and iPhones, lost $5.4 billion last year, prompting the Japanese display maker to increase its reliance on Apple's top rival, Samsung, in order to survive.
Comments
Quote:
Originally Posted by Flaneur
@kenaustus, Talk of Apple investing in Sharp for IGZO to the tunebof a couple of billion goes back more than a year, if my memory serves.
... and then there was this...
Apple reportedly picks Toshiba as sole supplier of iPhone LCDs
According to a Japanese newspaper, Apple has dropped plans to invest in a production facility at Sharp and decided to use Toshiba as the sole manufacturer of liquid crystal displays for the iPhone.
http://appleinsider.com/articles/11/04/20/apple_picks_toshiba_as_sole_supplier_of_iphone_lcds_rumor
... which seemingly contradicts the earlier rumor...
Quote:
Originally Posted by Flaneur
@kenaustus, Talk of Apple investing in Sharp for IGZO to the tunebof a couple of billion goes back more than a year, if my memory serves.
... or does it? The saga continues...
Apple again rumored to invest $1B in Sharp plant for iPhone, iPad LCDs
A rumor that Apple is planning to invest $1 billion in a new Sharp factory for building screens for its iPhone and iPad products has resurfaced, just days after a separate report claimed that the next-generation iPad has been delayed in part because of production constraints from the supplier.
http://appleinsider.com/articles/11/08/17/apple_again_rumored_to_invest_1b_in_sharp_plant_for_iphone_ipad_lcds
Quote:
Originally Posted by Flaneur
@kenaustus, Talk of Apple investing in Sharp for IGZO to the tunebof a couple of billion goes back more than a year, if my memory serves.
... and continues...
$1B Apple-Sharp deal more likely LCD prepayment than plant investment
Contrary to recent reports that Apple would invest $1 billion in an LCD manufacturing plant from Sharp, industry insiders believe it's more likely that Apple is simply making an advance payment to secure display components.
http://appleinsider.com/articles/11/08/18/1b_apple_sharp_deal_more_likely_lcd_prepayment_than_plant_investment
... and continues...
WSJ: Apple investing in Sharp plant for iPad 3 displays
Sharp is said to be ramping up production of LCD panels for the next-generation iPad after an investment from Apple for its manufacturing facilities, according to a new report.
http://appleinsider.com/articles/11/11/25/wsj_apple_investing_in_sharp_plant_for_ipad_3_displays
... and continues...
Industry insiders downplay likelihood of Apple television release in Q2 2012
As rumors continue to swirl that Apple is preparing to launch a connected television set, a new report claims it is highly unlikely that the company will release such a device in the second quarter of 2012 because Sharp has limited production of the IGZO panels reportedly bound for the device.
http://appleinsider.com/articles/12/02/02/industry_insiders_downplay_likelihood_of_apple_television_release_in_q2_2012
...
Foxconn's investment in Sharp yields new iPhone display plant
Foxconn plans to use its newfound partnership with Sharp to build a new plant in China that will produce screens for Apple's iPhone.
http://appleinsider.com/articles/12/05/24/foxconns_investment_in_sharp_yields_new_iphone_display_plant
...
Foxconn rumored to begin receiving Apple television LCDs in Q3 2012
A new rumor claims Sharp is set to begin delivering LCD TV panels to assembler Foxconn in order to begin building Apple television sets.
http://appleinsider.com/articles/12/06/21/foxconn_rumored_to_begin_receiving_apple_television_lcds_in_q3_2012
...
Foxconn & Sharp may spend $1B on LCD plant to boost production for Apple
Foxconn and Sharp are considering a $1 billion investment in a Japanese LCD plant in order to build more display panels for Apple's iPhone and other devices.
http://appleinsider.com/articles/12/08/30/foxconn_sharp_may_spend_1b_on_lcd_plant_to_boost_production_for_apple
...
Hon Hai chairman demands management role at Sharp to finalize deal
Terry Gou, the chairman of Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., has demanded a management role at Sharp before his company will agree to invest in the struggling LCD maker.
http://appleinsider.com/articles/12/09/03/hon_hai_chairman_demands_management_role_at_sharp_to_finalize_deal
...
Apple may have invested $2 billion to aid struggling display maker Sharp
Apple's annual capital expenditures report came in $2.3 billion higher than anticipated, which has led one analyst to believe Apple could have put a significant amount of money into key but struggling supplier Sharp.
http://appleinsider.com/articles/12/11/07/apple-may-have-invested-2-billion-to-aid-struggling-display-maker-sharp
...
Apple considered buying stake in Sharp to aid development of television - report
As it is believed to be gearing up to launch its own television, Apple initially considered investing in Sharp's LCD business, but the company instead opted to let its manufacturing partner Foxconn fill that role, according to a new report.
http://appleinsider.com/articles/12/04/13/apple_considered_buying_stake_in_sharp_to_aid_development_of_television___report.html
... and who knows what else? There are a lot of lines to read between to get to the truth.
Apple: "Yes, I would like to place an order for all the IGZO displays you can possibly make for the next 3 years. Sure we'll pay up front"
You know, if Apple used IGZO displays and produced a MBPr that absolutely took the world by storm, but cut their margin by 3% to 5% to maintain the same retail price... The entire bottom would fall out of Apple's stock and analysts would be predicting Apple's total doom!!!
Take this rumor with all the grains of salt we didn't use in the several years worth of "Apple considering OLED displays."
Samsung will probably do the same as they bought 3% of Sharps share last month...
Quote:
Originally Posted by lkrupp
Meh, Android has had this for years¡
Your thinking AMOLED. Apples LCD screens are still superior to AMOLED in colours and brightness. IGZO will be even better.
The video is interesting, it shows how much new markets can be made with that tech. Its not just about computer screens.
This screams iDevice. Plus the smaller screens should be less of a quality control or manufacturing challenge.
Quote:
Originally Posted by GadgetCanadaV2
Your thinking AMOLED. Apples LCD screens are still superior to AMOLED in colours and brightness. IGZO will be even better.
While I thought it was a silly comment anyway, you did miss the ¡ used to indicate sarcasm.
Quote:
Quote:
Originally Posted by leaot
Samsung will probably do the same as they bought 3% of Sharps share last month...
Samsung to become Sharp's largest foreign shareholder with 3% stake worth $112M
2013 03 Wed, 03:06:00 AM, Posted By AppleInsider Staff
Japanese electronics maker Sharp announced on Wednesday that Samsung will invest some $112 million for a 3 percent stake in the company, with the deal providing for the long-term supply of LCD panels.
"Sharp plans to put the proceeds toward the development of high-definition LCD technologies and investment in facilities dedicated to the manufacture of mobile LCD panels."
Apple supplier Sharp strikes strategic deal with Samsung
2013 05 Tue, 09:43:31 AM, Posted By Kevin Bostic
Sharp, a key supplier of components that go into iPads and iPhones, lost $5.4 billion last year, prompting the Japanese display maker to increase its reliance on Apple's top rival, Samsung, in order to survive.