You’d think Apple would be dumping Samsung components from their iPad 2 design as Cupertino tries to reduce their dependence upon the partner who keeps on ripping off all of their best ideas. Instead, though, they’re just tucking deeper into bed with Samsung, despite the international IP lawsuits flinging about.
What’s going on? Well, it might all be about that sexy tablet-sized Retina Display Samsung has floating around.
According to iFixIt, the silicon scientists over at Chipworks have discovered that Apple has quietly switched out the LG SW0627B display driver used in the iPad 2 for a Samsung one:
Chipworks’ latest batch of iPad 2s, however, seem to be using a new Wise-View chip. Little to no information can be found about the chip at this time, except that it appears to be a technology developed by Samsung. Sadly there’s no information on Samsung Semiconductor’s site regarding this display driver product line.
iFixIt speculates that the new part might “foreshadow the release of an updated iPad with a higher-res screen.” We’re not sure about that, but it’s interesting speculation. Something tells me, though, that if the next iPad does indeed have a Retina Display, with all that’s going on, Apple’s not going to want to be dependent upon Samsung supplying it.
John Brownlee is a writer for Fast Company, and a contributing writer here at CoM. He has also written for Wired, Playboy, Boing Boing, Popular Mechanics, VentureBeat, and Gizmodo. He lives in Boston with his wife and two parakeets. You can follow him here on Twitter.
