What is Apple investing $3.9 billion in?

1/18/2011 11:24 PM EST

Both Flash & High Res display.
There are rumors on iPad2 coming with a 2048×1536 display. Existing state of the art for a 10" display is like 1280x800 which Moto is said to use on its upcoming Xoom tablet. So I guess, inorder to get the LCD vendors manufacture this kinda high res display , Apple put the money upfront for fab and pre-ordered all the output :)

1/19/2011 1:21 AM EST

For sure a deal like this would assure Apple 1) lowest costs 2) Assured supply in tight supply times and possibly 3) exclusive access to a new technology somewhere down the road but not necessarily in the 6-9 month timeframe

1/19/2011 12:25 PM EST

Agree with "eewiz"... flash, display tech and I'll add some sort of higher density battery technology.

1/19/2011 12:41 PM EST

Wafer supply for the A4 and A5 is probably a part of that too.

1/20/2011 1:48 PM EST

High resolution LCDs in the first place I should think. The semiconductor market supply capacity is healthy.

1/21/2011 12:09 AM EST

It is wonderful to see Apple investing money back to introudce more path breaking products. We eagerly await more innovative products from Apple.

Flash and Battery may be two main technology for thier investment.

1/21/2011 3:09 PM EST

Oh no, the entire Apple line is going 3D!

1/22/2011 9:48 AM EST

I wonder 1) how much, if any, are US suppliers and 2) If any of this is to appease the finding of the chinese environmental group that Apple is dead last in environmental responsibility?

1/22/2011 11:02 PM EST

What of a rear earth mine in Burundi? This is serious as China can cripple the industry by managing the stock

1/23/2011 12:50 AM EST

Apple did acquire processor design firm PA Semi, who helped them for unique A4 design. It was also reported here that Apple may be looking for fab to lower thier production cost and optimize profit margin. These news, high amount of investemnt and special announcement may be incling to Apple's partnership for establishing new fab. This fab may be more closely aligned to 3D IC packaging.

1/23/2011 9:50 AM EST

I agree with @hm. I too anticipate (pure guess) it could be something related to 3D imaging...most likely this investment might be on the 3D IC fab and the LCD as well?

1/23/2011 5:22 PM EST

Apple has always distinguished itself from the competition with superior human-manchine user interfaces. Could they be developing another form of interface or user experience

1/23/2011 8:12 PM EST

LET'S SEE WHAT THE INTERFACE EXPERIENCE IS.

1/25/2011 5:49 PM EST

With the forthcoming iPhone5 and iPad2 the first response is probably right: flash and high-res screens. Apple had record sales of the iPad over the last holiday season and could have sold more if their production rate was high enough. They sure don't want to caught with insufficient supplies of both.

1/31/2011 1:25 PM EST

I would love to see some 3D stuff being brought up soon from Apple stable. However, I think it is definitely something related to the high res displays and maybe the wafers for their core chips.

2/8/2011 11:53 PM EST

My opinion is they've been investing and buying ARM's shares, to own the company :)