As we reported earlier today, it appears Apple is getting ready to send out invitations to an iPad mini event rumoured to be this month. If so, the devices have to be in production somewhere and the latest gossip says it’s all doing down at a Foxconn facility in Brazil.
According to Japanese blog Macotakara, an unnamed source told them that production of the iPad mini is currently underway at a Brazilian factory. Another little sneaky tidbit also published by Macotakara is that apparently the unit doesn’t have a microphone hole on the back of the case. Previous mockups had shown a rear mic like the iPhone 5.
Apple opened a new factory in Brazil earlier this year specifically for tablet production. The Brazilian government had approved tax exemptions for this specific type of manufacturing. Previously, high import taxes had stopped Apple moving in on the Brazilian market. Can you believe iPad pricing once started at the equivalent of $925 US for a 16 GB Wi-Fi iPad 2? Now with Foxconn ramping up manufacturing in the country under these new tax incentives, Tim Cook and his crew should be able to offer more competitive pricing. ¡Ay, caramba!
Source: Apple Insider, MacRumors
