The iPad 2 is leading the way to improved financial numbers for Apple's fiscal third quarter, according to Apple analyst Maynard Um of UBS Equity Research. He is raising his forecast for the quarter -- Apple announces Q3 results July 19 -- due to stronger iPad sales, now estimated at 7.9 million units, alongside improved component pricing that Um projects will add 0.6 percent to Apple's gross margin. Shaw says a less dilutive back-to-school promotion that provides a $100 credit in apps on the App Store -- instead of $220 in free hardware with physical costs to Apple
