iPad Mini Confirmed to Carry Stereo Speakers

[MacRumors]

In something of a surprise, Friday's launch of the iPad mini will apparently mark the first time an iOS device carries stereo speakers. It appears that Apple's move to the smaller Lightning dock connector has left enough space for an additional speaker along the bottom edge of the device, although the company has elected not to make a similar addition to the fourth-generation iPad.

There has been speculation about the iPad mini's speaker setup ever since early case designs leaked showing two sets of small holes, one on each side of the Lightning port. Similar setups have been seen on iPhone models with one side housing a speaker and the other side a microphone for phone conversations. iPad models have, however, until now only contained a single off-center speaker grille.

Diagram from Apple's iPad mini tech specs page

Apple did little to clear up the speculation at the iPad mini introduction last week, making no mention of stereo speakers and using the singular "speaker" on its tech specs page addressing the device's input/output capabilities. Amazon seized upon the assumption that the iPad mini did not contain stereo speakers, using it as part of a checklist comparison touting the Kindle Fire HD on its front page.

But when the first wave of advance reviews of the iPad mini were released last night, The Verge's Joshua Topolsky mentioned that the device does indeed contain stereo speakers. Topolsky later highlighted the feature in a Tweet, noting that it had been confirmed by Apple.

Dual speaker grilles on iPad mini (Source: The Verge)

Seeking further confirmation, a 9to5Mac reader emailed Apple marketing chief Phil Schiller to ask about the situation, and Schiller responded to simply state "It is stereo." Notably, Amazon has since removed the comparison checklist between the Kindle Fire HD and the iPad mini from its main page.

Article Link: iPad Mini Confirmed to Carry Stereo Speakers

[pk7]

Ha! Poorly played, Amazon

[bbeagle]

That's false advertising, Amazon!

Maybe you should have to put out an ad on your website saying that you lied.

[Tankmaze]

Why can't this be done on 4th gen ipad

[FuNGi]

Ugh. Seems like MR is getting their news from gizmodo...

[SteveJobs2.0]

Originally Posted by Tankmaze

Why can't this be done on 4th gen ipad

It is a feature for 5th gen iPad. The promotion will say, "Hear and be heard"

[bedifferent]

Oh, it's stereo. That makes all the other points invalid. Phew.

[Anuba]

Wohoo! This would make for a great stereo listening experience... if nostrils were ears.

[adcx64]

Amazon failed to include that the AppStore has so many more quality apps...

[Rodimus Prime]

Originally Posted by bbeagle

That's false advertising, Amazon!

Maybe you should have to put out an ad on your website saying that you lied.

false advertising and a mistake are two different things. Apple did do false adverting and lied.

Amazon on the other hand made an honest mistake and I can easily see way because of how close together the speakers on not like you can hear any stereo sound out of them.

[Z400Racer37]

I wish they would do this rounded edge/stereo speaker design on the full sized iPad... :/

[driceman]

Hahaha fail Amazon...

Now they just need a better display and processor in the Mini and I'll take a look... Not much point in "upgrading" from my iPad 2 for a product with the same resolution and chip.

[shadowbird423]

Too little, too late. The damage is already done..

[milo]

How can anyone tell if it's stereo if both speakers are right next to each other?

Seriously, that's about the worst "stereo" speaker layout I've ever seen. So if you're watching a movie (in landscape, obviously) it's "stereo" but all the sounds are still going to come from the right side of the screen, since that's where both speakers are?

I'm still skeptical.

[mshahnoora]

Honestly, I think Apple used two speakers to get similar levels of sound output (combined) as using a single, larger speaker. With such a slim design, it's hard to fit a single large, louder speaker, so they used two of them to compensate.

[ImperialX]

Stereo or not, I won't be using it. Tablet or smartphone speakers don't ever do music justice.

[geenosr]

It's off the main page but still on their website as comparing the 2 devices.
Shameless!

http://www.amazon.com/gp/feature.html/ref=amb_link_366177422_1?ie=UTF8&docId=1000846051&pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_s=center-6-2&pf_rd_r=07TBEQ8NWQ3BVYYZ3HYF&pf_rd_t=201&pf_rd_p=1409302382&pf_rd_i=B0083PWAPW

[2bikes]

I have a feeling 5th gen iPad will be stereo too.

[coasterswim]

Originally Posted by milo

How can anyone tell if it's stereo if both speakers are right next to each other?

Seriously, that's about the worst "stereo" speaker layout I've ever seen. So if you're watching a movie (in landscape, obviously) it's "stereo" but all the sounds are still going to come from the right side of the screen, since that's where both speakers are?

I'm still skeptical.

Exactly. Landscape stereo speakers (meaning the other speaker is on "top" of the device) would be so much more beneficial.

[BvizioN]

Much less i understand. But what is it the much more?

[onthecouchagain]

So that's why it's $329!

[darkslide29]

Serious question regarding the checklist, not baiting or trolling..

Cool to see about the stereo speakers, but what about a couple of the other items...

1) Why can Amazon say they offer Movies and TV (with a PAID amazon prime subscription), yet they dismiss PAY movies and TV from the iTunes Store?
EDIT: responses have reminded me that Amazon even offers an Amazon Video app for iOS!

2) Is the iPad Mini (and iPad 2) really a low res display? I swore I watched 720p movies on my iPad 2. While they may have not been 720p exactly, I wouldn't have called it low res.

Is it just selective marketing on Amazons part?

[Tech198]

So now theres two physical speaker grills in the case, as opposed to one?

The ipad 3 still had stereo didn't it ? Whats the change ?

[Glideslope]

Intensional. Apple 1, Amazon Advertising -1.

[Tech198]

Originally Posted by onthecouchagain

So that's why it's $329!

for one speaker ?