During Apple s Financial Conference Call in late July Apple s CEO warned analysts about a component shortage and that supply constraints would affect the iPhone and iPad in the current quarter. Cook clarified at the time that the shortages weren t in the high-powered processors that Apple has manufactured for its devices. Today, Apple s assembly partner Hon Hai Precision Industry Co. projected sales of gadgets like smartphones will drop sequentially this quarter. On another front, Foxconn will now enter a new area for iPhone assembly.