Touch Panels for Apple Netbook Ordered?

Digitimes relays a Commercial Times report that Taiwan-based Wintek will supply touch panels for "Apple's new netbook" due in the 3rd quarter of 2009.

Wintek revealed that it is currently working with Apple to develop some new products, but it said it does not know what applications the new products are for.

While Wintek was unable to confirm the exact products, the Chinese-language newspaper claims that Apple will be releasing a new "netbook" for later this year.

The "netbook" term is one that has been traditionally applied to low-cost miniaturized notebooks. It's a market that Apple has officially denied interest in.

Still, there have been long-running whispers that Apple has been working on a true "sub" notebook which may correspond to these rumors. Commercial Times has had a mixed record in predicting Apple's products based on supply chain reports, but has had some seemingly accurate data in the past.