Due to delays in some necessary components, Apple is expected to release eight new products during September and October. The products were delayed from an earlier introduction due to production problems, says a research report released Friday. The report is from KGI Securities analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, who has an exceptional track record when it comes to Apple predictions.
MacRumorsKGI Securities analyst Ming-Chi Kuo has released a new research report outlining his thoughts on Apple’s product introductions for the remainder of 2012, noting that delays in some necessary components have forced Apple into a very tight timeline that is less than ideal and which may impact growth over the short-term. The delays have affected several products, including the new “iPad mini” and an updated iMac.
The report says that Apple will unveil numerous products in September and October. The report makes notice that from a marketing and sales standpoint, too many new products in a short period of time can be a bad thing, as promotional campaigns could give an air of a lack of focus. Apple does seem to be aware of the situation, and will be doing everything it can to isolate each new product’s launch as much as it can.
Kuo believes that the 13-inch Retina MacBook Pro and an updated 21.5-inch iMac could appear at any time, followed by the next-generation iPhone and iPod touch in mid-September. A tweaked full-size iPad and updated iPod nano would follow in early October, with the iPad mini and new 27-inch iMac later in October.
Kuo indicates that Apple will NOT be introducing Retina displays for the iMac lineup this year, but that the company is working to fully laminate the current display panel to the cover glass for improved display quality. The process has proven to be challenging, with lower yields for the 27-inch display than the 21.5-inch version. Kuo sees earlier availability for the smaller model.
Apple’s work on the iPad mini has reportedly been slowed by the adoption of a thinner and lighter “GF Ditto” touch structure. Apple is said to be the first company in the world to commercialize and mass produce the technology, but equipment transitions and yield issues have reportedly forced Apple into its October launch for the device.
For the iPhone, Kuo says the ramp-up has been slow due to to some technical hurdles and logistics of packing the new display into a thinner body, but he expects that Apple’s suppliers will be able to offer sufficient supplies of the new in-cell display. He also predicts the new iPod touch will use the same in-cell display technology, and will be released alongside the new iPhone.
Finally, as for the iPod nano, Kuo says the device should indeed include Wi-Fi connectivity, and a revamped body with a larger screen. He says issues with integrating the Wi-Fi chip into the nano’s new body will lead to a mid-October launch for the revamped device.
