Various media reports are now claiming that Apple is already hard at work on the next generation of its iPad tablet, a new version that will sport a fancy OLED screen instead of a standard LCD.
Even though the iPad was just released in the United States, and has been given a one-month delay before it launches to international customers, the rumor mill regarding future iPad models is in full gear. The new OLED iPad should be released sometime in 2011, even though OLED costs remain high.
But Digitimes Research senior analyst Mingchi Kuo is "conservative about the idea of iPads with OLED panels. He pointed out that OLED panels' high price will still be the major obstacle for them to be adopted in the iPad in 2011".
Kuo learned the 9.7-inch LCD screen can be found for less than $70, while a 9-7-inch OLED panel will push $500. I agree that OLED prices may be out of reach for 2010 and 2011 -- but it is possible that Apple is working with manufacturers to find a way to reduce OLED mass production costs for the iPad.
The LCD screen used in the iPad reportedly costs $95, which makes it the most expensive part of the tablet.
Don't be surprised if Apple doesn't confirm or deny anything until an official press event occurs in the Bay Area.
There are some bloggers who say Apple isn't developing the next iPad to include OLED, so it's going to be interesting to see if we hear from additional sources. DigiTimes is usually accurate with its sources, but they've been wrong plenty of times before.
DigiTimes previously offered a failed prediction of an OLED version of the first gen iPad -- estimated to cost a whopping $2,000 at launch. Apple product launches always do a great job of working over bloggers, so there were many incorrect rumors prior to the iPad’s official launch.
