These iPad releases, whenever they occur, will be important to Apple's continued success. An iPad Mini with a Retina display seems to be a sure winner to me, and will give Apple a huge advantage over its competitors. While this product release is not a given, it certainly seems likely.
Providing a fifth generation iPad that is significantly lighter, and smaller is also essential. This device has to remain awesome and cutting edge. Fact is, this device costs as much as a Windows laptop. You need not tell me twice it has an advantage, and is a better product, I'm using one right now to type this. But in order to compete in the market, this has to be apparent to the average consumer.
When it comes to the iPad, Apple also has a significant amount of work to do in the IOS department. They need to take advantage of the extra real estate instead of working so hard to make it so similar to the iPhone. On the top of the screen why does it only display the time, why can't I also see the date? Instead of using the screen to display apps, why not allow me to click somewhere on the screen and see a list of the programs available? Why not use the freed up screen area to provide a customized display of news/updates/information? Why do the settings of the device have to be an App that many newbies misplace on another screen, I should be able to access it from the main screen in a preset location? Why can't the device come bundled with Pages, Numbers, etc?
Apple makes money of their hardware but also happens to show some ability to make some fantastic software. Lately that really hasn't shown, but Apple needs to leverage that ability. In essense Apple has the ability to make the iPad into a laptop replacement for your average Joe. I shouldn't have to plug it into a computer/Mac in order to have recover from a serious IOS issue.
Apple has the opportunity to continue to innovate with the iPad, but only if they open their minds and move away from some of the assumptions they have made. There is no reason to innovate your way into a corner, and lately that seems to be what Apple is doing.
Providing a fifth generation iPad that is significantly lighter, and smaller is also essential. This device has to remain awesome and cutting edge. Fact is, this device costs as much as a Windows laptop. You need not tell me twice it has an advantage, and is a better product, I'm using one right now to type this. But in order to compete in the market, this has to be apparent to the average consumer.
When it comes to the iPad, Apple also has a significant amount of work to do in the IOS department. They need to take advantage of the extra real estate instead of working so hard to make it so similar to the iPhone. On the top of the screen why does it only display the time, why can't I also see the date? Instead of using the screen to display apps, why not allow me to click somewhere on the screen and see a list of the programs available? Why not use the freed up screen area to provide a customized display of news/updates/information? Why do the settings of the device have to be an App that many newbies misplace on another screen, I should be able to access it from the main screen in a preset location? Why can't the device come bundled with Pages, Numbers, etc?
Apple makes money of their hardware but also happens to show some ability to make some fantastic software. Lately that really hasn't shown, but Apple needs to leverage that ability. In essense Apple has the ability to make the iPad into a laptop replacement for your average Joe. I shouldn't have to plug it into a computer/Mac in order to have recover from a serious IOS issue.
Apple has the opportunity to continue to innovate with the iPad, but only if they open their minds and move away from some of the assumptions they have made. There is no reason to innovate your way into a corner, and lately that seems to be what Apple is doing.