Day: March 19, 2011

The Wall Street Journal is reporting that there may be shortages in parts for some very popular devices that are in high demand, like, oh, say, the new iPad 2! Since everyone and their brother want an iPad 2, this could be a huge deal for Apple!

Japan Quake Poses Supply Issues For Apple IPad 2 -IHS ISuppli

“Apple Inc.’s (AAPL) newly unveiled iPad 2 may suffer from supply shortages in its electronic compass, the battery and possibly its touchscreen glass because of the devastating earthquake and tsunami in Japan, a research firm said Thursday.

IHS iSuppli found at least five parts in the iPad 2 sourced from Japanese suppliers that could be impacted, including NAND flash memory chips from Toshiba Corp. (6502.TO), dynamic random access memory made by Elpida Memory Inc. (6665.TO), an electronic compass from AKM Semiconductor, the touchscreen overlay glass likely from Asahi Glass Co. (5201.TO) and the system battery from Apple Japan Inc, according to IHS iSuppli.

‘While some of these suppliers reported that their facilities were undamaged, delivery of components from all of these companies is likely to be impacted at least to some degree by logistical issues now plaguing most Japanese industries in the quake zone,’ the research firm said.

Apple declined to comment Thursday on its supply chain. On Monday, the company said its Japanese facilities were open and functioning following the earthquake and tsunami.

Apple released the iPad 2 in the U.S. last week, and analysts estimated sales over the weekend ranged anywhere between 500,000 and 1 million units. Apple’s online store is showing a shipping delay of a month or more for all new versions of the iPad 2.

Apple said earlier this week that it would delay the iPad 2’s launch in Japan following the recent developments that have devastated the country. The company had planned to begin iPad 2 sales in Japan on March 25, alongside 25 other countries in various points around the globe.”

We are saddened by the tragedies in Japan, and our hearts go out to them! It is also a reminder that more than ever, we are a completely interconnected planet! What happens on one side of the world, definitely effects us all!