Apple has inked deals with numerous additional parts suppliers for its upcoming iPad refresh according to a new report from DigiTimes, further supporting the notion that the tech giant plans to unveil a new version of its market-leading tablet later this year. Citing industry sources, the report claims Taiwan-based component manufacturers including Novatek Microelectronics, Richtek Technology, Capella Microsystems and Integrated Memory Logic have been awarded contracts to supply integrated circuits for the iPad 3. Contrary to previous speculation that Apple’s next iPad would be a high-end “Pro” model, DigiTimes states that Apple is seeking to utilize lower cost parts from Taiwanese suppliers in order to “compete with an array of tablet PCs to be launched by rivals in the second half of 2011.” A more likely scenario, however, is that Apple may simply be looking to offset the added expense of the upcoming iPad’s Retina Display with cheaper circuits. Such a move could allow the Cupertino-based company to launch its next-generation iPad at the iPad 2′s current price points. Apple is expected to unveil its new iPad this fall alongside the iPhone 5.

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DigiTimes adds fuel to the fire Monday morning with a report that Apple is looking to add a second manufacturing partner for its popular iPad line of tablets in order to help meet demand when the company launches a new iPad model this fall. The report adds that either iPhone maker Pegatron Technology or Quanta Computer will likely gain the contract to build iPads alongside Foxconn. While the report refers to an “iPad 3″ that will launch later this year, it has become increasingly likely that the new model rumored to launch in September will be a complimentary iPad variant as opposed to a new model. Dubbed the “iPad 2 Plus” or “iPad HD” by analysts and the media, the high-end iPad is said to feature specs similar to the current iPad 2 but with a double-resolution display, among other things. According to DigiTimes’ report, the new iPad model will launch either late in the third quater or early in the fourth quarter, with third-quarter shipments expected to ramp up to 13 million units.

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Apple has reportedly placed an order for 15 million iPhone 5 units with Chinese electronic manufacturer Pegatron. Pegatron’s plants underwent a major expansion in 2010 and 2011 to accommodate Apple’s supply needs for the current iPhone 4 model, so the company had been seen as a likely candidate to receive orders for Apple’s next smartphone. Referring to the handset as both the iPhone 5 and the iPhone 4S, DigiTimes reports that shipments are scheduled to begin in September. The report also states that the upcoming iPhone refresh “does not seem to have any major update from iPhone 4.” Conflicting reports suggest that the next-generation iPhone could either be a major upgrade or an incremental update packed in the same case as the iPhone 4.

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Taiwan-based component suppliers are beginning to prepare materials that will be assembled to build Apple’s upcoming iPhone 5 and iPad 3 devices, DigiTimes reports. The report goes on to state that Apple will unveil its fifth-generation smartphone and third-generation tablet in September ahead of launches in October. Details on the devices were scarce in the report, though it was mentioned that Apple’s next iPad may be even thinner and lighter than the current iPad 2 model, and it may also include a 250dpi display. DigiTimes cites anonymous industry sources in claiming that Apple intends to begin low-volume production of the iPhone 5 in August, and production will then ramp up in September. IPhone supply volume is expected to total 24-25 million units in the third quarter, 6-7 million of which will be the new iPhone 5 model. Total iPhone volume for 2011 is expected to reach 85 million, and DigiTimes says iPad volume may break the 40 million-unit mark.

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Apple plans to ship more than 8 million MacBook Air computers in the third quarter of 2011, DigiTimes claims in a new report on Friday. The number represents more than twice the total number of Mac computers Apple shipped during its fiscal second quarter. DigiTimes‘ report cites sources within Apple’s supply chain in stating that combined MacBook production was ramped up to 2.2-2.4 million units in June, and Apple is expected to yield 2.7-2.8 million units in July. The Cupertino-based company is expected to release refreshed MacBook Air models ahead of the release of its new Mac operating system, OS X 10.7 Lion, and the notebooks should feature Intel’s Sandy Bridge processors and Thunderbolt I/O ports. The anticipated spec boost is expected to cause a surge in MacBook Air sales, but a target of 8 million units in a single quarter doesn’t seem terribly realistic; Apple shipped a total of 3.76 million Mac units in its March quarter, including its MacBook, MacBook Pro, MacBook Air, iMac and Mac Pro lines. Unless Apple also plans to announce a drastic price reduction when it unveils its new MacBook Air PCs in the coming weeks, we don’t see the company coming anywhere close to shipping 8 million units next quarter.

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It was a sad day when we learned that Microsoft was discontinuing its work on the Courier, a dual-display tablet that had tech fans buzzing. According to a report on Wednesday from DigiTimes, however, the company is still hard at work on a tablet. The Redmond-based software company is said to be cooperating with Texas Instruments and multiple Taiwan-based manufacturers in an attempt to push a Microsoft-branded Windows 8 tablet out to market by the end of 2012. Outside of the Xbox gaming console, Microsoft has not had much luck with consumer hardware in recent years. The company’s line of Zune media players were never widely adopted and its KIN line of messaging phones were cancelled shortly after their release before later returning to Verizon shelves with barely any fanfare. DigiTimes’ sources suggest those failures won’t stop the company from trying, however, and the buzzing tablet space is an obvious next point of attack.

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The debate surrounding Apple’s next-generation iPhone design continues. While countless sources have claimed that Apple’s iPhone 5 will be an incremental upgrade akin to the iPhone 3G to iPhone 3GS bump, rumors continue to mount suggesting otherwise. The latest, which comes by way of DigiTimes, claims that Apple has purchased 200-300 glass cutting machines to be used by glass makers to build curved front panels for its fifth iPhone due later this year. While it is certainly possible that Apple’s next iPhone will implement a number of design changes including a new curved front panel, many believe the next iPhone will be a modest upgrade — which may have already been pictured in an exclusive BGR report — that features a faster processor, better cameras, up to 64GB of internal storage, new radios compatible with additional carriers such as T-Mobile USA and Sprint, and a few other internal tweaks. Unfortunately is could be a while before we know for sure, as rumors suggest Apple may focus on software at this year’s WWDC keynote and wait until its annual September event to unveil the next iPhone.

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Looking to scoop up one of Apple’s ultra-light notebook offerings? You may want to hold on to your wallet for a few more weeks. According to the latest report, Apple is preparing to update the notebook line in the not-too-distant future. “The Taiwan-based supply chain for Apple products will begin shipments of new 11.6-inch and 13.3-inch MacBook Air models featuring Sandy Bridge platform and Thunderbolt interface in late May for launch in June or July,” reads a report filed by DigiTimes. The article goes on to note that the updated Air will be assembled by Quanta Computer, with Catcher Technology, Auras Technology, Shin Zu Shing, Simplo Technology, and Dynapack all supplying components. The report echos earlier prognostications made by Concord Securities analyst Ming-Chi Kuo. The current iterations of the MacBook Air were first revealed in October of 2010, just 7-months ago.

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DigiTimes is reporting that orders for CDMA iPhone 4 units assembled by Pegatron have been cut in half — with only 5 million devices being manufactured in the initial 2011 order, down from 10 million units. Pegatron just this week reported a net loss of $19 million for the first quarter of 2011, which is a historical low. Over 3 million CDMA iPhone 4 handsets have been manufactured and shipped, and it looks like Apple is comfortable with selling around 1 million CDMA iPhones a quarter — until the much-rumored dual CDMA/GSM iPhone 5 is available in September.

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Despite the fact that Apple just introduced the iPad 2, the cycle of rumors, other rumors debunking those rumors, and more rumors leading up to Apple’s iPad 3 is already in full swing. The latest episode of this endless soap opera aired on Tuesday as industry insider DigiTimes claimed knowledge of Apple’s next-generation iPad. Contrary to earlier rumors, DigiTimes cites Apple’s component suppliers in stating that the idea of an iPad 3 with a Retina Display launching this year is likely just “wishful thinking and misreporting.” The site maintains that Apple has not yet placed any orders for a new iPad to be released this year and if it does, it will likely be a minor upgrade, possibly adding 4G support to the tablet. 4G support in 2011 is just speculation at this point, however.

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Budget Android handsets are poised to takeoff in 2011, a new report from Digitimes suggests. The firm states that it expects 20 million to 25 million entry-level Android handsets  – defined as devices priced below $150 – will be sold globally in 2011. That figure is up from the 2.5 million to 3 million that were sold in 2010. Digitimes suggests that chips designed in China and Taiwan will drive white box OEMs to create budget-conscious handsets that will be attractive in emerging markets. An estimated 10 million to 13 million of those handsets are expected to be sold in China alone. Digitimes is known for having a mixed track record, but we do know that Android handsets — such as LG’s Optimus — were priced in the $100 range on many U.S. carriers. Similarly, last night Boost Mobile announced its new $179.99 Samsung Galaxy Prevail handset, which will be an attractive option for prepaid buyers.

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A new rumor suggests HP may have considered selling its PC business, with Samsung lined up as the most likely buyer. The report comes from DigiTimes and is sourced from an article in the Chinese financial paper Commercial Times. DigiTimes claims that rumors to this effect have been circulating in Taiwan since last year, however, and suggests that a sale is no longer on the table. Citing sources from upstream component makers, the report claims “the deal was called off due to an unknown reason, and there has not been any follow up since then.” The original report also noted that Lenovo was a possible buyer and even suggests Foxconn might have shown interest in the business. HP has aggressive plans to include webOS on every PC it sells beginning next year. With such an incredible in-road to users, it would seem odd for HP to even briefly consider selling off its PC business.

UPDATE: HP issued the following statement on Thursday regarding the Commercial Times report: “Irresponsible reporting by Taiwan’s Commercial Times, suggesting that HP might sell its PC business, should be dismissed as market rumor and speculation. HP runs the world’s largest PC business and it is core to HP’s strategy for the connected world.”

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According to a report on Wednesday from industry watcher DigiTimes, Acer is seeing higher than expected interest in its upcoming line of tablets. Demand is so high, the report claims, that it exceeds the initial supply Acer has ordered from its manufacturing partners. The strong demand comes from various cellular carriers around the world that are seemingly eager to bundle Acer’s upcoming devices with data plans. According to the report, Acer plans to launch four devices between now and April: The 10-inch Windows 7-powered Iconia W500, which will launch mid-March; the 10-inch Tegra 2-equipped Iconia A500, which will run Android 3.0 (Honeycomb) when it launches in late March; the 7-inch Android-powered Iconia A100, which will launch in April; and the supersized 4.8-inch Gingerbread smartphone dubbed Iconia Smart, which will also launch in April. Acer noted that initial limited inventory  is due to a short supply of key components, such as touchscreen displays.

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Industry watcher DigiTimes on Friday reports that Apple is still on track to have roughly 40 million iPad tablets built and shipped in 2011. The site stated yesterday that Apple plans to ship up to 6.5 million iPad tablets in the first quarter of this year, and now it’s on record as saying second-quarter production will be ramped up to a staggering 10-12 million units. According to the report, Apple ordered approximately 2 million first-generation iPads in January before kicking off iPad 2 production. Shipments of the iPad 2 are expected to come in around 3 million units this quarter. The second quarter will see between 10 and 12 million units built as noted, and DigiTimes’ sources suggest Apple’s manufacturing partners will ship between 21.5 and 24 million units in the second half of the year. The report does not speculate on whether or not second-half shipments might include the iPad 3, which could launch ahead of the holidays this year according to rumors.

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Citing sources from within Apple’s supply chain, DigiTimes reports that the tablet titan plans to ship between 6 and 6.5 million iPad tablets in the first quarter of 2011. Apple is also aiming for shipment totals to hit 40 million units for the full year, the report adds. The first-quarter shipment total supposedly includes both iPad and iPad 2 shipments, which further supports rumors that Apple plans to release its second-generation iPad before the end of March. DigiTimes also says Apple has between 300,000 and 400,000 iPad 2 units baked in its initial batch, which could lead to shortages unless Apple’s suppliers manage to ship a second run ahead of the tablet’s imminent release. Apple shipped 7.3 million iPad units in its last fiscal quarter, which ended on December 25, 2010.

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