Apple starts manufacturing new iPads

Apple’s suppliers are understood to have started manufacturing new iPads, as the company works to reinvigorate sales of the tablet computers after two straight quarters of declines.

Mass production of a full-sized iPad with a 9.7-inch screen is already under way, with an unveiling projected for the end of this quarter or early next, according to sources.

A new version of the 7.9-inch iPad mini is also entering production and will probably be available by the end of the year, they said. The timing is crucial as Apple ramps up a new product push for the lucrative end-of-year holiday shopping season. The lineup is anticipated to include new iPhones with bigger screens, as well as a health-oriented watch-like device, people with knowledge of the matter have said.

The Cupertino, California-based company is expected to hold an event on September 9th to debut the new iPhones. Chief executive officer Tim Cook last month said Apple has an "incredible pipeline" that "we can't wait to show you." Trudy Muller, a spokeswoman for Apple, declined to comment.

Apple suppliers Hon Hai Precision Industry Co. and Pegatron Corp. rose in Taipei trading, while the benchmark Taiex index declined 0.1 per cent. Pegatron climbed 2.6 per cent, the most in almost a month.

Bloomberg