5.6-Inch and 7-Inch OLED iPad Models Coming in Q4 2010?

[Bytor65]

I can see them using OLED because it's easier to see in sunlight than the standard iPad screen (TFT I think), and they're probably trying to go up against those new Kindle commercials advertising the "easy to read" screen.

You must be confusing OLED with something else. Sun is a weakness of OLED, most of the OLEDs are worse than LCD in sunshine, only the the very best OLED equal LCD.

The best thing about OLED is how they look in low light where black is really black.

But so far all small OLEDs seem to be pentile displays causing odd issues.

 

[neutrino23]

Hard to know for sure but I could imagine that Apple ordered up a hundred odd copies of each for testing in Cupertino and this tidbit of information turned into a claim of a new product. Over the years there have been many sitings of products that didn't get released. One I recall was a Palm PDA with an Apple logo. They were seen in various places but never released.

 

[SirHaakon]

Not retina, I guess. Expected though.

If not, then you get more resolution on an iPhone than a 5" or 7" iPad. What's the point without it?

 

[albusseverus]

At what point do we disregard rumours, repeated rumours, repeatedly 'proven wrong' rumours?

The Verison rumour for example. Not going to happen. They don't have a GSM network! I'm sure Verison just floats it every few months to in some ham fisted attempt to entice Apple to make an entirely different phone, just for them. And by doing so, they demonstrate why Apple won't do business with them—but that's an aside.

Which brings us to the OLED rumours. Apple has made that decision and gone with higher density TFT displays. I can't imagine the power drain of 326 ppi for MacBook, iMac or even iPad. OLED are even less likely, due to cost alone.

The 5" and 7" rumours were rife pre-iPad launch, and turned out to be untrue. Re-floating them now is just embarrassing.

I dearly wish Apple had gone with a 5" 16:9 screen for iPhone 4, that would fit within the current form factor (154ppi would be quite sufficient with decent display technology) and be more useful for media, websites etc. But what we quickly learn is that Apple doesn't do what we'd like, it does what Apple likes and at the moment Apple seems hell-bent on forcing customers and developers to support 16:9, 4:3, 3:2 at various ppi counts and basically making life difficult for everyone. And there's no point trying to fathom the logic of this because the evidence suggests there isn't any logic operating here at all, just a mad rush to create product at the cheapest price Apple-quality allows.

I guarantee at some point Bloomberg will pick this up, then in a few months time, they will repeat it citing their earlier report as supporting evidence, and we'll all be wasting bits again pointing out the obvious.

And I haven't even mentioned the unlikelihood of a sub-yearly product refresh, especially for a new product launching an entirely new product category, with no existing market to which to sell. There I did it. Are we done yet?

 

[Vulpinemac]

Rumor only

Personally, I find it highly unlikely that Apple would do the things suggested in this rumor; they're not exactly known for making variations on a theme that can't do what the other members of that theme can do. The only exception to this, at the moment anyway, is the iPod Shuffle, which I have to admit I don't understand why Apple continues to manufacture them.

The iPad in its current iteration is almost the perfect size for an e-reader and performs admirably at that purpose as well as audio, video, games and productivity for its form factor;nothing does better. Yet. To make a reduced size version would do nothing but suck away at iPod Touch sales without offering much more in capability than the iPod touch already has. What I could see, however, is this device as a new version of the iPod Touch itself. However, while OLED may be a better technology for some purposes, I'm not sure it's the right technology for a media player, which describes both the iPod touch and the iPad to a great extent. Reader only? Maybe--but again, I can't see Apple doing that.

 

[OGDaniel]

As believable as rainbow colored unicorns.

I completely agree with you, my friend. This sounds completely ridiculous. I think in two or three years, there might be an option of a 7.5" inch iPad maybe, but 5.6"?

And releasing a new product like this 6 months after the 1st Generation? I'd imagine those of us who are Macheads would have to get one (including me probably), but a lot of people are not seeing the merit in it. Not good business for Apple.

 

[chart328]

From the introduction of their iOS devices, Apple has had no option available (other than flash disk capacity) when purchasing the product.
Unlike their Mac line, where the diferences in consumer and professional hardware are quite distict, there is no such distinction made for iOS devices. Because all are sold at the same tier, such display choices, or similarly proformance options, are not likely in the forseeable future.

 

[funwithamar]

DigiTimes today reports on rumors that Apple is looking to launch its second-generation iPad as soon as the fourth quarter of this year, adding OLED-based 5.6-inch and 7-inch models to its existing 9.7-inch LED display model.The report also suggests that Taiwanese manufacturer Compal will be producing the new iPads, a surprise given earlier expectations that Pegatron would be the manufacturer brought on board to supplement Apple's existing production for iOS devices through Foxconn.

DigiTimes' own research analyst , Mingchi Kuo, casts some doubt on the rumors, however, claiming that Samsung, the world's dominant OLED manufacturer, can't even keep up with demand from its own product lines, and even with new investments in production there appears to be no way the company could ramp up production to the levels needed by Apple within the timeframe indicated.

Kuo also claims that Compal would be unlikely to be interested in producing the new iPad models given the scant profit margins available on the device in relation to its current profitable work assembling netbooks.

While claims of OLED displays for a number of Apple products have been around for many years without coming to fruition, DigiTimes in April specifically floated the idea of an OLED display for the second-generation iPad, but noted that pricing and production volume issues were likely to preclude the possibility. DigiTimes has also reported in April that Apple was looking to launch a smaller iPad in the 5- to 7-inch range as soon as the first quarter of next year.

Article Link: 5.6-Inch and 7-Inch OLED iPad Models Coming in Q4 2010?

sweet
i dont want them
i want the 10" one

 

[appleseed76]

This news is B.S. The worst part is people will read this and not buy an iPad because they think a new one is coming out already. If you really want to wait, the new one will be out next Spring. No more new product launches 6 months after the release of the same product. Apple always waits one year for product cycles.

 

[fletch33]

This news is B.S. The worst part is people will read this and not buy an iPad because they think a new one is coming out already. If you really want to wait, the new one will be out next Spring. No more new product launches 6 months after the release of the same product. Apple always waits one year for product cycles.

although i agree with you that it will most likely be next spring Apple will jump out there occasionally if they feel they have to.

i bought the new aluminum Macbook in Oct of 2008 without the firewire and then 6 months later Apple puts back the firewire and calls it a Macbook Pro.

so it can happen and i didn't like it.

 

[Torajima]

There is already a miniature iPad, it's called the iPod Touch.

I don't see the point of Apple further fragmenting their iDevices. You'd think Apple, of all companies, would understand K.I.S.S.

 

[cvaldes]

There is already a miniature iPad, it's called the iPod Touch.

Nah, even the difference between a 7" iPad and the 3.5" iPod touch is enormous. You interact with the device differently.

 

[ModestForumName]

Sounds like an apple tv remote

See Post #194

 

[gavin83209]

While I highly doubt that this rumor is correct, if it would happen, it shouldn't be all that difficult to make it work seamlessly. The following should work with a minimum of developer overhead:

9.7" iPad: 1024x768 @ $499
7" iPad nano: 1024x768 @ $399
5.6" iPhone Pro: 960x640 @ $299
3.5" iPhone 4: 960x640 @ $199

The 7" model is, as many have stated, a waste of R&D in my opinion. That 5.6" model, however has interesting dimensions. 5.6" diagonal is exactly the same as my MessagePad 110, which I still use to this day. Adding a (optional $29?) stylus and built in handwriting recognition like Inkwell in OS X plus preferably an expanision slot (won't happen) would sell these like hotcakes. There is still a rather large community of Newton users out there. Enough to hold a yearly conference (Worldwide Newton Conference). Enough to continue semi-regular development for a platform over ten years old.

Back on topic: it wouldn't be too hard to disguise the stylus if it is optional. Apple could do something like the door on ExpressCard slots. It snaps closed if nothing is there but the stylus would be out of the way when needed. Beyond that, building in the existing handwriting recognition frameworks shouldn't be too hard, as iOS is just a slim version of OS X and Inkwell already exists.

The iPhone was reported to have a codename of MessagePad 3000. While I don't think that it will happen this year or with OLEDs, I think that Apple might just be waiting to release such a device. Apple sold a number of products that are widely regarded as flops. Among these are the Pippin, the MessagePad and the Cube. The Pippin I will grant did poorly, but was one of the first gaming consoles to have a CD-ROM rather than a cartridge system. The controller looks eerily similar to a Xbox controller, on the market roughly five years later. As we all know, the Xbox did incredibly well. The MessagePad I will admit performed poorly at launch, but by the time the 2000 series rolled around, the handwriting recognition had been pretty much perfected (or so I hear; only got a 110). Since at least 2001, Apple had been rumored to have a tablet project in the wings. It became the iPad. An interview with Steve Jobs at D8 IIRC revealed that he shelved the iPad project for a few years and concentrated on iPhone development to try some new ideas. And remember that this is only the first revision of the iPad released this year and there are still massive changes to be made. As for the Cube, it is similar in concept to the current Mini. It is a small computer not built for power but for portability and easy if limited expansion using existing components. Apple did a bad job marketing it, and the mainstream press didn't get it. They treated it like an expensive, low end PowerMac with less expansion room when it should have been there for looks and portability. 2004 or so, another five years later, the Mini rolls around with a few improvements. In short, I think that most of the things that Apple made that failed were simply ahead of their time.

Take the iMac for example. In 1997, Apple already had multiprocessor computers with dual 200 MHz 64-bit 604e processors on the PowerMac 9600, a 6 PCI slot behemoth. A PowerComputing clone had a similar quad processor model nearly ten years before the G5 Quad shipped. They weren't particularly popular. But the iMac with no expansion room and a small 15" display that eliminated things as integral as the floppy drive, LocalTalk and even external display support managed to radically alter the face of computing as we know it. It wasn't high end at all. Just new. The Titanium PowerBook is the same story in the professional world. 1" thin in 2001? Unheard of. With a 500 MHz G4 on an Altivec enhanced Unix foundation? Insanely fast for former Linux developers with leftover scripts that have followed them through countless Linux distros. Faster than most desktops of the era. And less than $4000 for the high end model. Most other computers have yet to reach a size as slim as 1" thick. As it stands, the basic dimensions remain unchanged. Ahead of its time, but this time not a flop.

I think that Steve Jobs has learned from the Cube and other incidents that just because the idea is better than those out there, if the market isn't ready, it will wind up as a flop. Sometimes, to move forward one must wait. In summary, maybe the MessagePad 3000 wasn't just the iPhone, but something that is still waiting in the wings.

After all that, I think that Apple at some point will follow up on the Newton. The market probably just isn't ready, plus supply problems. And not with OLEDs. A 5.6" Newton really is dramaticly different from a 3.5" iPhone. It is a totally different experience and is much easier to enter text and numbers than the miniature keyboard. I would definitely seriously consider buying a 5" iPhone with a stylus.

 

[Torajima]

Nah, even the difference between a 7" iPad and the 3.5" iPod touch is enormous. You interact with the device differently.

True, but the difference between a 9 inch and 7 inch iPad would be trivial. I'm guessing there aren't a whole lot of people who think the existing iPad is 2 inches too big. Those that really want something portable are going to go for an iPhone or iPod Touch.

 

[Bytor65]

True, but the difference between a 9 inch and 7 inch iPad would be trivial. I'm guessing there aren't a whole lot of people who think the existing iPad is 2 inches too big. Those that really want something portable are going to go for an iPhone or iPod Touch.

All these "we don't need another size" arguments are just about as valid as the "its just a big iPod" argument against the iPad.

Different sizes create different usage patterns.

You can hold a 7" in one hand for better standing use in a POS application (think waiter at a restaurant) you can also reasonably holster a 7".

Though if there is a Tweener model I am sure it will be under 6".

If there isn't, it isn't because the idea lacks merit, it is just Typical Apple leaving big gaps in a product lineup.

I am really thinking that this in between space might be my first tablet type device, maybe a Dell Streak without phone bits when it gets released, if Apple doesn't offer anything.

 

[lowkey9]

I think it's so cute how Jobs has managed to convince so many that LCD tech is inherently superior to OLED simply because Samsung wouldn't give him the S-AMOLED displays that he wanted.

It's only a matter of time before your iPhone, iTouch, and iPad have AMOLED displays, guys. It certainly won't be this year, but it might be 2011, and will almost certainly be 2012.

 

[AppleHater]

I think it's so cute how Jobs has managed to convince so many that LCD tech is inherently superior to OLED simply because Samsung wouldn't give him the S-AMOLED displays that he wanted.

It's only a matter of time before your iPhone, iTouch, and iPad have AMOLED displays, guys. It certainly won't be this year, but it might be 2011, and will almost certainly be 2012.

It's equally cute to believe OLED = gift from God.

 

[lowkey9]

It's equally cute to believe OLED = gift from God.

OLED tech is superior in almost every single way in it's infancy, compared to LCD which has had decades to mature, but still has unfixable faults like extremely poor contrast and motion resolution that will never truly be fixed due to inherent flaws in the technology itself.