New AirPods and iPads are coming — and we just got the latest bit of evidence to support that.
According to a new report, four Apple suppliers are gearing up for mass production of both new products. Flexible PCB firm Flexium Interconnect and Zhen Ding Technology will be handling Apple’s next-gen iPad devices. Meanwhile, Compeq Manufacturing and Unitech PCB will supply rigid-flex boards for the sequel to Apple’s wireless AirPods.
The report finally notes that Apple is likely to introduce the new iPad and AirPods at its March 25 event. As my Cult of Mac colleague Buster Hein wrote in his recent summary, we’re expecting to see a new 10.2-inch iPad, iPad mini 5, and new AirPods in the near future.
Today’s report doesn’t shed any light on exactly when these might ship. If mass production is only “gearing up” now, it suggests that shipping is at least a few weeks away, depending on quantities. Many Apple users aren’t expecting any new hardware at the March 25 event, which is instead geared toward Apple’s Services.
As a result, it seems like there’s a distinct possibility that at least one or two of these products aren’t announced there — and later show up, unannounced, in the Apple Store. Another possibility is that Apple could announce them, but not make them available for shipping right away. While the AirPods were first unveiled on September 7, 2016, they didn’t wind up actually shipping until December 20.
Source: Digitimes
