New iPod maker signed
By Macworld staff
Apple has signed up a second Taiwanese iPod manufacturer, local reports claim.
Taiwanese firm Cheng Uei Precision already produces iPods for Apple. The latter firm is now expected to authorize Ji-Haw Industrial as its second iPod supplier, according to Taiwan's Computex Online.
Describing the iPod as creating a "market frenzy", the report explains that Apple's existing manufacturer "keeps receiving follow-up orders from Apple". The report adds that "mass delivery of the new model is expected to begin in the third quarter this year, aiming at 2.5 times the rate of growth".
"Deliveries are expected to commence from June or July this year", the report explains. This detail is consistent with Apple's announced intent to begin delivering the much-desired iPod mini globally in July, following faster-than-anticipated sales of the product in the US.
The report indicates the second manufacturer has been signed-up to deliver the USB and FireWire cables for Apple's products. The company also supplies Xboxes to Microsoft.
