Apple suppliers begin production of new iPads

Apple Inc's suppliers have begun manufacturing new iPad tablets in an attempt to revive flagging sales of the tablet.

Apple, which helped create the tablet market in 2010 with its first iPad, has seen growth plummet from 2012, as larger phones became more popular and people delayed replacing their tablets.

A Bloomberg report, citing people with knowledge of the matter, has said mass production of the iPad with a 9.7-inch (24.6-cm) screen has already started, and it is likely to be unveiled by the end of current quarter or early next quarter.

A new version of the 7.9-inch iPad mini is also entering production and is likely to be available by the end of the year, the report said.

Apple spokeswoman Trudy Muller declined to comment on the report.

Apple shipped 13.2 million iPads in the June quarter, 8 per cent less than a year earlier. Sales of the devices, which accounted for 15 per cent of revenue, fell short of Wall Street's expectations for the second quarter in a row.

In an attempt to rejuvenate the iPad's sales, Apple said in July that it would partner exlusively with IBM Corp to sell iPhones and iPads in the corporate market.

(Reuters)