Apple Adds Taiwan-based IC Design Houses to iPad 3 Supply Chain?

Apple is adding Taiwan-based IC (integrated circuit) design houses to its supply chain for the iPad 3 as it adjusts the tablet's cost structure to compete against the numerous rivals launching this year, according to DigiTimes.

iML is believed to have landed orders of its integrated programmable gamma/Vcom buffer solutions from the iPad 3 supply chain, indicated the sources, noting that the gamma/Vcom buffer solutions are adopted in touch panels for smartphone and tablet PC applications.

Other IC solutions that have been, or are likely to be, added to the iPad 3 supply chain include Novatek's LCD driver ICs, Capella's ambient light sensors and Richtek's integrated power management ICs, the sources revealed. But none of IC vendors confirmed the reports.