iPad 3 Debut Pushed Back to 2012

The 2011 launch of the iPad 3 that was never announced has already been canceled, according to a DigiTimes report. The site says the debut of the third-generation tablet has been pushed back because of a shortage of high-resolution screens in the supply chain.

The report says the issue is that the 9.7-inch panels capable of 2048 x 1536 resolution are only available from Sharp, and Apple's other suppliers, like Samsung and LG, have not been able to deliver the needed screens. It seems Sharp hasn't been able to meet a low enough price point for the screens for Apple's requirements.

The so-called "retina display" would double the resolution of the current iPad. Apple is also rumored to be looking at a much smaller screen improvement, according to Bloomberg.

Digitimes says there may also be issues with getting the light source to work to Apple's satisfaction since the higher-resolution screen would require a more powerful light, something that could be tough to pull off without sacrificing the iPad's trademark thinness.

There had been speculation that Apple would launch the iPad 3 in 2011 with a supply volume of up to 2 million units in the third quarter, and then ramp up production to 5 to 6 million in the fourth quarter, but apparently suppliers have seen those 2011 numbers zeroed out.

There may be no need for Apple to rush out the next-generation iPad anyhow, with its new A6 processor due in 2012 and iPad 2 sales continuing at a brisk pace with more than 9 million units sold in the last quarter.

Samsung to roll out popular Galaxy S II Before iPhone 5

Samsung is ready to bring its flagship Android-based Galaxy S II in the U.S. -- a popular offering for consumers -- and beat Apple to the launch of the iPhone 5.

The Galaxy S II is probably the strongest rival to the iPhone.

It runs on Android 2.3, has a 4.3-inch display, a dual core processor, 1GB of RAM, an 8-megapixel camera and a superthin design. Although it hasn’t been available in the U.S., the Galaxy S II sold a record 3 million units in just 55 days, which is in part due to Apple holding back the launch of its next-generation iPhone.

Samsung will hold a press event on Aug. 29, where it is expected to spill all the details about the U.S. arrival of its iPhone competitor.

In the U.S., Samsung is likely to continue its strategy to sell the same smartphone bare bones slightly repackaged for each large wireless carrier.

The Galaxy S II is rumored to sport a sliding QWERTY keyboard when itarrives on AT&T as the Attain and on Sprint it’s expected to have 4G WiMAX connectivity under the Within name.

The Samsung Galaxy S II for Verizon, possibly dubbed Celox, is rumored to sport 4G LTE connectivity and up the ante on specs. This includes a larger (4.5-inch) display, a dual-core 1.5Ghz (up from 1.2), taking a toll on thinness and device weight. The Galaxy S II for Verizon could end up being a different phone from the Celox though, as it offers 800MHz LTE support, incompatible with the frequency used in the U.S., 700MHz LTE.

Meanwhile, Apple watchers are buzzing about whether the iPhone 5 will arrive in September or October. There are no details on the features of the upcoming iPhone, besides wide expectations it will run on dual-core A5 processors (as found on the iPad 2), and sport a better (possibly 8-megapixel) camera.