Well, we were exaggerating a bit, but better hardware, brand name, superior software are not the only arrows in iPad's quiver. In fact
Apple has quite a few stealth weapons which can annihilate competing tablets. Clogging up the supply chain is one of them. As earlier reported, Amazon is working on releasing its own tablets by the end of this year. Whether these tablets would be able to compete against iPad in the market is one thing, but even before entering the market, these tablets are getting stung by iPad.
According to trade reports, Amazon is finding it difficult to secure OEMs for manufacturing its tablets. According to DigiTimes, Amazon is having tough time getting enough touch panels. The touch panel manufacturers are already flooded with work, trying to fulfill iPad 2 commitments. The company is currently holding talks with Wintek, which also manufactures touch panels for iPad2. Reportedly, Wintek has said that its production schedule is likely to be "tight in the second half of the year."
Yet another Touch screen manufacturer, TPK Holdings is also said to be "reluctant to make a commitment to suppling touch panels to Amazon on concerns of capacity.” Amazon is working in collaboration with Quanta Computer for its tablet. It is also likely to team up with E-ink Holdings.
Apple consumes about 60 percent of the global production of touch screen. Apparently, Amazon is not the feeling the brunt. Research in Motion also had to delay its BlackBerry PlayBook, thanks to shortage of panels. Now, that's how Apple nips the competition in bud.