Japan's Sharp curbs iPad screen output

TOKYO/SEOUL(NIE)The sharp decline in the production of screen iPad line in a factory Kameyama in central Japan to the minimum level to maintain the line extends this month after slowing gradually began at the end of 2012, Apple manages inventories, industry sources with knowledge of the production plans Sharp to the media.Said people who have the knowledge of the total production shutdown sharp near stop charging plates iPad. They said the exact level of the output screen remaining in the Sharp was not immediately clear but it was very limited him.
Said company spokeswoman Miyuki Nakayama: "We do not disclose production levels."
Apple officials declined, contacted late in the evening after regular business hours in the state of California, and has no immediate comment.The sources did not say exactly why almost halted production. Among the possibilities are a seasonal decline in demand, and switch to another supplier, and the shift in the balance of sales for the iPad is small, or update in the design of the product.Research has estimated that Macquarie iPad shipments will tumble nearly 40 percent in the current quarter to about 8 million from about $ 13 million in the fourth quarter, despite the fact that Apple Tablet total shipments will show a drop much lower due to strong sales of Mini Bad.
Apple shares
Any indication that iPad sales are struggling in addition to the concern that the appeal of Apple products fall after media reports earlier said it cut orders 5 iPhone screens and other components from suppliers in Asia.Those reports helped knock Apple shares temporarily below $ 500 this week, the first time its shares were below the threshold level in almost one year.Apple, reports said, Japan requested the state-run view, Sharp and LG to cut supplies plates iPhone from an initial plan for about 65 million screens in the period from January to March. Apple losing ground to Samsung, as well as emerging rivals including China's Huawei Technologies Co., ZTE Corporation No significant change in another factoryIn addition to Sharp, Apple iPad also buy screens from LG Display Ltd., the largest supplier, and Samsung, a unit flat screens from Samsung Electronics.The refusal of both supply and supply LG Samsung comment.A source in the Samsung, however, said there was no significant change in business with Apple Panel, which has been steadily reducing purchases plate from a South Korean company.He said the person who is familiar with the situation in the screen display LG iPad production in the current quarter decreased from the previous quarter ending in December, mainly due to weak seasonal demand, which is typical after a busy year-end holiday sales period.Have suffered Apple iPad sales amid weak period shopping for Christmas that hurt other consumer tool makers as well.
A crowd of competing products
Apple also faces competition in tablets spasm of a growing crowd of competing products from makers including Samsung Galaxy with surface and at Microsoft. A turning consumers into smaller devices a 7-inch screen, which responded to Apple late last year with the launch of Mini in iPad for $ 329, and increased the pressure.BNP Paribas expects Mini iPad will eat in iPad sales a full-size, with simple rise to 60 percent of the total iPad shipments in the quarter from January to March.Looking to cut into Apple's market share in the smallest part of the Amazon.com Kindle and Google Nexus with 7 thereof.CEO Tim Cook, who is credited with building a series Apple Display Asian, has overseen the launch of a tool kit, including 5-iPhone, and the latest models iPad and Mini iPad during the first year of operation, is under pressure to deliver this kind of innovation product stunned consumers during Steve Jobs Excellent to keep his company's profit growth.Was sharp, which supplies also screens for the iPhone, and working with major banks on a restructuring plan after the publication of a $ 5.6 billion loss for the last fiscal year. To secure emergency funding, including from lenders Mizuho Financial Group and Mitsubishi Financial Group has encumbered its local plants and offices, including one building screens for Apple.
In December, Qualcomm agreed to invest as much as $ 120 million in the mustache and the two companies said they would work on the development of new energy-saving screens.