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Apple reportedly courting Samsung over AMOLED equipped iPad 3

COO Cook makes trip to South Korea

Apple reportedly courting Samsung over AMOLED equipped iPad 3

The question as to why iPad 2 came with no significant upgrade to its display is one websites have kept high on the agenda ever since the device was unveiled in March.

Was power an issue? Was the supply of parts constrained? Is Apple purposely holding back a more extensive upgrade to the hardware in view of a relaunch in the run up to Christmas?

Answers remain elusive, but a report by the Asia News Network detailing an apparent meeting between Apple COO Tim Cook and unnamed Samsung executives points to screen concerns being high on the agenda in the development of iPad 3.

According to the site, Cook approached Samsung in regards to adopting the firm's AMOLED technology for the next iteration of the tablet.

Screen scene

"Apple wants to tap into Samsung's AMOLED technology for an upgraded version of the iPad 2, considered as many as the iPad 3 that is likely to be launched toward the end of this year," a source told the website, on the condition of anonymity.

Said source goes on to claim that, during Cook's week long trip to South Korea, he offered Samsung an advance for the AMOLED displays, which would replace the existing LCD screens primarily manufactured by rival LG.

It's a logical move, if only because it's expected Samsung itself will utilise its AMOLED technology in its follow ups to the original Galaxy Tab.

Currently, only smartphones come equipped with the company's Super AMOLED screens, including the Galaxy S II and Google's Nexus S on Android, and the Omnia 7 for Windows Phone.

Though the two parties are currently involved in legal action against one another, they have worked together previously via similar agreements. As such, a deal over AMOLED displays certainly wouldn't be out of the question, even if the proposed late 2011 launch for iPad 3 seems somewhat less likely.

[source: Apple Insider]


With a fine eye for detail, Keith Andrew is fuelled by strong coffee, Kylie Minogue and the shapely curve of a san serif font.