We’ve been hearing multiple rumors saying that Apple is on the verge to launch several new devices in the upcoming months. 7-inch iPad, specifically 7.85-inch iPad is one of those new devices that Apple has been preparing lately as the answer to counter attack the threat from many Android tablets, especially the Kindle Fire from Amazon and rumored Windows Phone 8 tablets that will be assembled by many laptop manufacturers. And looks like, this exaggerating news is about to come to fruition.

According to Taiwanese publication Liberty Times, 2 manufacturers, LG and AU Optronics are certified and ready to supply an LCD panel that later will be used in the making of iPad Mini. As a matter of fact, both equipment manufacturers allegedly have even delivering the panels for production phase of the iPad Mini, which will be planned to launch later this year. However, compared to the original iPad, the initial target for production of this iPad mini can be considered smaller than the original iPad, allegedly around 6 million units.

Anyway, besides those 2 manufacturers above, some other OEMs (original equipment manufacture) from Nissha Printing, Chemi Innolux and TPK Holding have come to agreements for producing some “spare parts” of the iPad Mini. TPK Holding will be producing the 4 million orders of backlight modules, while Chemi Innolux will take the rest 2 million orders. And Nissha Printing will handle the touch film sensor for the iPad Mini.

Even though the specific numbers above seem convincing enough for us to judge that iPad Mini is on its way in the making process, this can also be unlikely to happen in the near future. The reason is because many people believed that Steve Jobs never wanted Apple to change its direction to compete in the low-end or mid-end markets, he always wanted Apple to sell premium products, not cheap products. However, if we look to the past, Apple used to decide to launch iPod Touch as the “cheaper version” of iPhone. So maybe the iPad Mini will be released by Apple as another “cheaper” version for the original iPad. Who knows?

source: Macotakara via PhoneArena

Report Says that New Apple Production Line to Cost Foxconn $210 Million

Apparently, by deciding to launch several new iDevices, it means Apple will need more equipment, more suppliers, more workers and the most importantly, one more factory. According to China Daily, Foxconn, the manufacturer that assembles Apple devices, is about to spend around $210 million to construct a new production house that is intended for the production of Apple’s new projects,

the next generation of iPhone and iPad

. This new factory will be built upon 40.000 square meters of land or more than 430.556 square feet. Local officials have confirmed regarding this report.

In this new factory,

Foxconn will hire more than 35.800 workers to assemble the next Apple iPhone and iPad

, which will cost around 6 - 7 billion Yuan or equal to $940 million - $1.1 billion. This new “Foxconn 2” plant will begin to be constructed in October. Rumor also has it that this new building will be used to produce the new 7-inch iPad Mini.

Meanwhile, in the next April, Foxconn is also planned to build one other new factory in Hainan province, according to China Daily.

via PhoneArena

The New iPad is On Sale at Walmart for Only $400

As one of the premium products from Apple, the price of the new iPad is definitely still up high in the sky right now, and that’s just the WiFi model, while 3G/4G LTE-equipped of new iPad will obviously cost more than the WiFi variant. However, if you’re still eager and have set the target to own the new iPad at least before the end of this year, then the

iPad offering at Walmart might be your answer

.

Currently,

the new iPad is on sale at Walmart and it’s offered for only $400

. However, this is the refurbished model, just like the ones you always see at Amazon, refurbished products. But that doesn’t mean that the quality of this refurbished new iPad will be that bad. It’s still pretty good in fact, especially when knowing that Apple products have a solid build quality of material, so they are still good products, even if they are the refurbished ones.

To make price comparisons, if you buy the new iPad in new condition via Apple, it costs you $500 for the 16GB model. And this is the WiFi model only, not the 4G LTE variant.

Anyway, Walmart also has other on sale new iPad offerings, like this refurbished 32GB model that costs $530, and the 64GB variant, also refurbished, that costs $630.

So if you’re interested of getting your very own new iPad, then this offering at Walmart might be your best shot.

via PhoneArena