Apple is keeping its customers waiting ever since the news of iPad3 has been out. So if you are expecting to score an iPad 3 from Apple, you might have to wait. Apple's website shows March 19 as the earliest ship date for online orders of its popular tablet computer. Well, adding to it is a limit of two per customer on the number of tablets that can preordered.

Apple said, "Customer response to the iPad 3 has been off the charts and the quantity available for pre-order has been purchased. Customers can continue to order online and receive an estimated delivery date."

The Long Awaited iPad 3

While the Apple site still says models will be available in stores, there still are unauthenticated reports that shipments worldwide could be delayed from three days to three weeks. And if past is precedent, there could be long waits in line at some Apple Stores when sales begin at brick-and-mortar locations.

Well, it has been learned that Apple Inc.'s iPad 3 tablet computers go on sale Friday, they won't be equipped with Sharp Corp.'s liquid crystal display panels because of a delay in the Japanese electronics maker's delivery. Samsung Electronics Co. will supply the screen for Apple iPad 3 after LG Display Co. and Sharp Corp. didn't meet the U.S. company's quality requirements.

Now, it is obvious that the supply deal will deepen Apple's partnership with Samsung, which already makes the chips that power the iPhone and iPad, even as the companies sue each other around the world regarding patents.

Analysts' Comments on Samsung and iPad 3 Techs & Specs

Vinita Jakhanwal, a senior manager at iSuppli, a unit of Englewood, Colorado-based IHS Inc said, "Samsung, the world's top flat-panel maker, currently is the sole vendor of the display for the 9.7-inch, touch-screen device".

Mizuho Investors Securities analyst Nobuo Kurahashi said, "The delivery delay is not only negative for Sharp, but it could give Samsung more bargaining power towards Apple as the most reliable display supplier".

Vinita Jakhanwal also said, "The display specifications on iPad 3 are very demanding in terms of the very high resolution. Achieving this high resolution without compromising on the power consumption and brightness and maintaining Apple's quality standards are supposedly proving to be a challenge for LG Display and Sharp."

Out-and-Out Lawsuits

Now, the delay in screen supply highlights the fact that Samsung and Apple are dependent on each other, even though the two firms are locked in legal battles over obvious issues all over the world. Samsung supplies key components for various Apple products, but the two companies compete in the smartphone and tablet markets with their own products. Last year, Apple first sued Samsung alleging that the South Korean company copied its tablet and smartphone designs. Samsung has countersued, alleging Apple has violated its telecommunications patents.

The iPad 3's new display has four times as many pixels as the previous version, making on-screen text, images and video appear crisper and more realistic. Apple may almost double its spending on screens for tablets and smartphones this year. Kang Yoon Hum, a Seoul-based analyst at NH Investment & Securities Co said, "Apple may want to diversify its sources for the displays because of the lawsuits with Samsung. Since the relationship between Apple and Samsung isn't great these days, Apple would want to get shipments elsewhere as well".

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