There’s news out in the iPad rumors department. The Wall Street Journal is reporting today, based on information from “people with knowledge of the matter” that Apple’s next iPad model will make use of the same touch-panel technology the company used in the iPad Mini allowing the device to be light and thin.
The new iPad is reportedly in production as we speak. As noted by iSuppli (via The WSJ):
The defining feature of the iPad mini is its 7.9-inch display, larger than comparable 7.x-inch tablets, whose displays are nearly 1-inch smaller, at just 7.0-inches. The iPad mini employs GF2 multi-touch touchscreen technology, which allows the touchscreen module to be thinner than competing tablets. However, the new GF2 technology also makes manufacturing more challenging during initial production by reducing manufacturing yields.
That report also notes that this all drove up the price for the touchscreen module.
The iPad Mini itself managed to overcome skepticism and become a popular model for Apple.
Other rumors have been circulating that the company is also working on larger iPhones and iPads, and that a new iPad Mini model will be revealed in 2014.
In the meantime, the iPhone 5S is expected to be unveiled at a September 10th event.
Tablet sales are expected to pick up later this year, though Android tablet shipments have reportedly doubled in the past year.
Apple reported its quarterly earnings last month, noting that iPad sales were down to to 14.6 million units compared to last year’s 17 million units.
