Chinese suppliers to Apple of iPad components have poured cold water on rumors of Apple releasing their third generation iPad in 2011.
Suppliers have yet to receive any requests from Apple for iPad 3 parts. It was speculated that Apple may launch two iPads in 2011 with the later being a HD / Retina model. It is now more likely that we will see an iPad 3 release in 2012.
However, it seems like discussions have begun about potential technologies that may be adapted in the iPad 3. One of these technologies may include AMOLED (display technology with higher refresh rate that uses less battery).
Sources from touch panel makers pointed out that Apple recently released its latest tablet PC plan and is asking the panel makers to provide products that are capable to support higher image quality than the current iPad 2 and Apple may even choose AMOLED panel or panel that support Full HD standard to accomplish the plan. However, since the project is still at the initial planning stage, the actual products are unlikely to appear in 2011.
Super AMOLED is currently used in the Samsung Galaxy S Phone (see image below). Each pixel is its own light source, this means that black pixels are not lit, and therefore require no battery to display. Super AMOLED screens have a better contrast and according to Samsung, allow the Samsung Galaxy 5 to consume 20% less battery life.
However, there is a complication with adapting AMOLED in the next generation of iPads; Samsung.
Some sources pointed out that since AMOLED technologies are still mostly controlled by Korea-based Samsung Electronics, while Apple has competition with Samsung over tablet PC sales, if Apple is adopting AMOLED panel into its device, Apple would be facing a great risk having the key technologies being held by its competitors.
The iPad 2 has been on sale for a little over a month and has seen massive demand. If Apple were to release a third generation iPad in 2011 it would immediately kill demand for the iPad. The rumors of Apple releasing the iPad 3 in late 2011 was always a thin rumor, and now it looks like it can finally be put to bed.
It is most likely that we will see an iPad 3 in March/April 2012 if the launch cycle of the first and second generation iPads are followed.
