According to a new report in The Wall Street Journal (WSJ), Apple is making an investment, of an unspecified amount, at Sharp's manufacturing facilities in order that the Japanese company may ramp up the production of LCD panels for the next iPad iteration --- the iPad 3.

Going by the WSJ report, citing sources familiar with the proceedings, that the Sharp technology is important to the design of the iPad 3 is evident from the fact that the LCD panels for the next-generation iPad Sharp will be produced at Sharp's Kameyama No. 2 facility in central Japan.

Noting that Sharp - which already manufacturers screens for the iPhone - will also likely supply the screens for the forthcoming iPhone too - the iPhone 6, which, along with the iPad 3 will apparently hit the markets in 2012.

The WSJ report, published on Thursday, somewhat substantiates an April report in Japanese newspapers that Apple intends tapping Sharp for next-generation "low-temperature poly-silicon" technology that will feature in the next iPhone.

Another confirmation of the proceedings came from Jeffries' analyst Peter Misek who recently claimed that the next iPhone and iPad will feature Sharp-manufactured IGZO - indium, gallium, zinc - LCD panels that will pave the way for slimmer designs and a much enhanced battery performance.

About the IGZO technology, Misek said that the checks by Jeffries have revealed that the technology is "perfect" as it offers "near-OLED power consumption while having a lower cost and thinness that is only 25% greater than OLED."