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5.6-Inch and 7-Inch OLED iPad Models Coming in Q4 2010?
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While I agree this rumor is complete BS.
There is a huge unfilled gulf between the touch/IP4 and the iPad that could be filled by a 5" to 7" device.
Given that this is Apple they may not fill this Gulf at all, but if they do, it certainly won't be with two devices. Apple is all about choozing the right size that will work for most people, not releasing a bunch of sizes because they have no idea what people want. That just isn't Apple. So I don't have much expectation that we will see one device, but definitely not two.
The case for the Tweener:
No new resolution is needed. You can use the 960x640 (or less likely 1024x768).
Touch is simply too small for many people. Myself included. I have 20/15 vision, but I am over 40. I have too hold it far enough away that it is just too small to do any serious reading or work on it. Retina is completely wasted on me, I can't see pixels on a touch.
iPad is too big for even big pockets, too big for a hip holster. Too big to span solidly with one hand. I would say 7" is the upper limit to span comfortably.
Here is what I mean(archos7 & Dell Streak) why I think an Apple tweener would be 5"-6":
Why is spanning important. It is a solid one handed grip for a work environment like a waiter in a restaurant. They were already examples of iPads being used for this, but the form factor isn't ideal for a restaurant server where you can't holster it, or have a solid one handed grip to enter orders while standing. 5-6" is small enough to hold easily in one hand, small enough to holster, yet large enough for easy data entry, easy reading for old timers like me.
My predictions: Either nothing between touch and iPad (Apple notorious for leaving gaps in lineup) or if there is one it will be:
5"-6" screen.
960x640 resolution (fits better with small size).
Branded as a iPod Touch XL or something (avoiding iPad mini name).
That was the then current OLED screens. I think he said they weren't up to the task yet. Since then, Samsung has introduced the "Super OLED" screens that are on the various Samsung Galaxy S phones that are coming onto the market now.
Not really retina display but
http://www.engadget.com/2010/06/24/iphone-4-retina-display-vs-galaxy-s-super-amoled-fight/
They are not a bad as what Jobs was talking about, however seems doubtful that can get them in large quantities at sizes larger than 4 inches. The shiny, glossy glass is as big of a "problem" at this point as Super OLED is in very bright sunlight.
Super OLED would probably work very well on a iPod nano sized screen at this point though.
Just a note on possible display dimensions for these new devices and them doing a "retina" display, here's what the PPI would have to be. I did the math and verified that my calculated PPI is close to what is quoted for the current ipad, then extrapolated that to the other screen sizes.
regular iPad resolution (1024x768)
9.7" = ~132 ppi
7" = ~183 ppi
5.6" = ~228.6 ppi
"Retina" display (double resolution to 2048x1536)
9.7" = ~263 ppi
7" = ~365.7 ppi
5.6" = ~457 ppi
Clearly the only one they'd be able to come close to doing a "retina" display on is the 9.7" and maybe a 7" model using double the resolution. I don't know if they can do the same for a 5.6" model, they might stick with the standard 1024x768 for that one.
regular iPad resolution (1024x768)
9.7" = ~132 ppi
7" = ~183 ppi
5.6" = ~228.6 ppi
"Retina" display (double resolution to 2048x1536)
9.7" = ~263 ppi
7" = ~365.7 ppi
5.6" = ~457 ppi
Clearly the only one they'd be able to come close to doing a "retina" display on is the 9.7" and maybe a 7" model using double the resolution. I don't know if they can do the same for a 5.6" model, they might stick with the standard 1024x768 for that one.
The nano is obviously a replacement for the mini that just changed the form factor slightly and added color screen of approximately the same size (started off slightly smaller, but has gotten only just a little larger now: 1.6 -> 2.2 inches, not even a whole inch). The weight and overall size stayed roughly the same. The only reason for the name change was that there is no product number in the name. It was really an just a logical upgrade. Color.
Adding a 5" or 7" screen would change the form factor significantly in terms of mobility. That really isn't a replacement, it is a different product.
I don't even think the Retina Display for iPads is even on the table at this time (although I wouldn't be surprised if it exists as a prototype in some lab in Cupertino).
Apple's suppliers are struggling to provide enough of the 132ppi IPS displays for the current iPad and it's a costly part.
There's no way the supply chain could provide a Retina Display IPS display for iPad in quantity, let alone at a cost that Apple would find reasonable.
I'm guessing that we are still 2-3 years away from seeing a Retina Display on an iPad. Again for cost and supply issues, it would likely appear on a smaller iPad model first (assuming there are multiple iPad sizes at the time).
Errrrr, What??????? No. they'd only need approxiately the ppi of the iPhone 4 screen which is just over 300. 400 ??? no. 365 no.
The distance the screen is held (when device is being held) is going to be approximately the same. People arms don't change in length because the screen size changes. There are some deltas due to vision problems and size of objects on screen, but those accounted for there isn't much variability. Nobody is strapping the device to their head so little need for somethinig over far over 300.
Maybe Apple wants to discontinue the iPod Touch, and replace it with a smaller iPad.
That would make sense.
It all would be nice, but why would they use OLED? I'm thinking if these models are coming out in the near furtre, they will use their own Retina Display. All they would have to do is boost the PPI, and only boosting it 2 inches isn't impossible
the size of the current iPad is fine even for business. Countless men and women downtown trot around with notepad sized portfolios in sleek leather-bound cases. much is the same for the iPad. Maybe better RAM, Front/back facing camera, faster processor and retina display on the 9.7" that would be a very nice little update for the iPad 2
hmmm
I may have missed it, but it seems no one has considered this might not be an iPad or iPod or iPhone. I seem to remember a rumor on here two or so weeks ago about a new AppleTV that would resemble an iPhone though...
Who knows, 5 inches might be a good size for something like that.
I may have missed it, but it seems no one has considered this might not be an iPad or iPod or iPhone. I seem to remember a rumor on here two or so weeks ago about a new AppleTV that would resemble an iPhone though...
Who knows, 5 inches might be a good size for something like that.
or the new REMOTE for the new Apple TV with the Apple TV being the 7 inch version!!!!
We still don't know what the end result for the ipad is though. Remember, this is still the beginning.The ipad that we now see is most likely the foundation to build off of, or it may not be, I could be wrong. Even so, there is still the fact that this new device as well as other future devices; while similar in ui function, may not have the same purposes.