Contending with seemingly insatiable demand for its new iPad 2, Apple is pondering paying higher prices for touch panel components, according to a report from DigiTimes on Wednesday. Manufacturers in Taiwan claim Apple is more open to certain price hikes during negotiations as the California company tries to secure a sufficient supply of components for its popular touch screen products.
Higher component prices, in the short term, will shrink Apple's gross margins on three of its hottest selling products: the iPad, iPhone, and iPod touch. But securing
