As Apple is set to start mass producing its next-generation iPad 2 at the end of February, and sources from upstream component makers pointed out that Apple is increasing iPad 2's resolution to 2048 by 1536 and the new strategy is expected to widen the company's technology gap with its competitors.
Apple has also recently started adjusting its iBooks 1.1 application with some designs for bookmark icons to allow it to support the larger resolution, noted the sources adding that the larger resolution should provide the company's App developers more convenience, while all future applications will be able to run under any of Apple's machines including the 27-inch iMac.
In 2011, Apple's iPad series should be able to ship more than 40 million units, the sources estimated. Apple is estimated to have ordered 1.6-1.8 million iPads in January with the order volumes for February expected to drop. iPad 2's initial shipments are expected to be 400,000-600,000 units.
| Apple iPad sales, April-December 2010 (m units) | ||||
|
| Apr-Jun, 2010 | Jul-Sep, 2010 | Oct-Dec, 2010 | 2010 |
| iPad sales | 3.3 | 4.19 | 7.33 | 14.82 |
Source: Industry sources, compiled by Digitimes, January 2011
