Over the past few years, Apple has been exploring different design solutions to improve the iPad. A recent report claims that the company is now considering the use of titanium alloys to make iPad casings. This titanium alloy will replace the current aluminum alloy casings on iPads. The new generation iPads may be the first model to adopt this new material. Recently, Apple has applied for many patents related to titanium alloy casings. In the future, devices that may use titanium alloy include MacBook, iPad, and iPhone. In comparison with stainless steel, titanium alloys are harder and more resistant to scratches.
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However, the strength of titanium also makes it difficult to etch. Therefore, Apple has developed a sandblasting, etching, and chemical process that can give the titanium shell a high-gloss surface treatment, making it more attractive. Apple has also been studying the use of thin oxide surface coatings to deal with the problem of fingerprints. Industry insiders claim that Apple’s consistent approach is to test the radical upgrades on the iPad. The new generation iPad will first adopt this build material. The reason why the company is not considering the iPad Pro is because the device supports wireless charging.
If this material is put on the iPhone, it is more likely to be applied to the middle frame. The rear of this device will; continue to use a glass design that will not affect the wireless charging.
Apple significant reduces iPad production due to chip shortages
Since the beginning of this year, various industries around the world are in a deep crisis with regards to the shortage of chips. This shortage is not just for storage core chips but also includes charging IC’s. Initially, there were reports that Apple has a solid supply chain thus the chip shortage will not affect the company. However, the latest reports show that Apple is beginning to worry about the current situation. According to multiple sources, Apple is drastically cutting down the iPad production and allocating more parts to the iPhone 13 series. This means that the core shortage crisis is much more serious than the initial assessment.
The reports claim that the output of the iPad over the past two months has been reduced by 50% relative to the original plan. Furthermore, even parts that are originally for older iPhones are now used for the iPhone 13. There are many similar parts between the iPhone and iPad models. Both iPhones and iPad share some core chips as well as peripheral chips. Thus, Apple can switch supplies between different devices in some cases.
