5th Generation iPad to Begin Production in July-August

[ericinboston]

You just don't get it. Innovation is not about finding the most advanced technology and put it in a device. Innovation is about creating a device that people actually want and love to use. If you don't think the iPad, a device that started an industry that is slowly killing PCs, is innovative I would like to know what you think actually IS innovative.

You need to look up "innovation" in the dictionary. Your definition is not quite right.

I never said the iPad wasn't a nice device...or that lots of people buy/use it. Lots of people buy toasters but I would hardly call toasters (these days) innovative.

If you sat down with a piece of paper and wrote out all the features (software and hardware) of the iPad Touch, iPhone, and iPad...there would be HUGE huge huge overlap. I give props to the iPhone...and some props the the Touch for innovation. But the iPad? Meh...it's just the iPhone, minus the phone, 4x larger. Sure, of course there are some other small differences like camera resolution and storage capacity...but that's all marketing to keep their product lines from cannibalizing themselves.

iPad is a nice product...I'll say it again for you (and others here)...but please don't call it innovative when it was released 5+ years after the iPhone and shares 90% of the iPhone features.

As far as killing PC (not just Windows machines) sales...the jury's out on that...remember that a VERY HIGH PERCENTAGE of people don't go out and buy a new $700-$1500 desktop/laptop every year. Usually it's every 3-5 years. The iPad turns 3 Q2 2013 so we need to see what PC sales are like in 2014-2015 to realistically see how iPad/tablets are affecting the PC market. I agree the iPad is certainly hurting the PC industry in general (for a lot of reasons) but remember that iPads RELY on a computer in many ways. How many people do you know have an iPad but do NOT have a computer?...answer: 0. You NEED a computer to make the iPad work simply by pressing the Power button on the first time...in fact, you need a computer to get the pictures and videos off it easily...you also need it to get the full 1080 video recordings off the iPad. Apple's site (and the iPad box) even states you need a computer with iTunes...although Apple has changed the wording recently to make it sound like only if you want to "sync".

Desktops and laptops, classic personal computers that is, will be around for at least another 20 years in high demand. The iPad (and tablets as a whole) simply are not meant to REPLACE a traditional personal computer...but again, let's not write a book on the pros/cons of tablets and PCs.

 

[mdelvecchio]

...which doesn't make a lot of sense given that the last truly new iPad was introduced one year ago. But, again, if all they'll do is make it thinner and lighter and give it a slate back than I really don't bother waiting 1/2 years. It's all the same

yeah life is hard. if only they made it something other than small, lighter, and faster...if only to end your tedium.

 

[Night Spring]

iPad is a nice product...I'll say it again for you (and others here)...but please don't call it innovative when it was released 5+ years after the iPhone and shares 90% of the iPhone features.

I think you mean 3+ years. iPhone came out in 2007, iPad in 2010.

And whether or not iPad was innovative aside, I think it's had a bigger impact on the computer industry than the iPhone. The iPad has destroyed the netbook, and seems to be making inroads on notebooks. I think when people look back at this period 20 years from now, the more important product will be the iPad, and iPhone (and iPod touch) will be seen as the precursors to the iPad.

 

[e-coli]

Wow. Having an essentially unchanged product in market for well over a year seems really crazy.

I'm less than impressed with Tim Cook. The product rollout and manufacturing debacle of 4Q last year was epic. And 6 months on...crickets.

 

[RoastingPig]

gotta sell my 1st gen mini on the craigs soon

 

[mdelvecchio]

So no real hdmi out ?

why would you expect anything other than the dongle adapter solutions apple has used for the past many years?

----------

I guess I'm not Apple's target audience. I'm still finding my iPad 2 works beautifully and does everything I need on a daily basis.

no, you are their target audience. but the misconception is youre supposed to upgrade to the newest one...you arent. they simply make them annually. it's like cars or home stereos -- they come out every year but nobody expects you to constantly upgrade. same thing.

----------

the retina display is a gimic and requires you have the iPad 6 inches or less from your face to really tell.

if you cant tell the diff between retina display and non, either youre high, or your eyes are shot. seriously. it's a dramatic difference.

 

[Mike MA]

I hope that all the waiting has been worthwhile.

True! And I hope my wife agrees...forgot to mention that

 

[r3m1]

You need to look up "innovation" in the dictionary. Your definition is not quite right.

I never said the iPad wasn't a nice device...or that lots of people buy/use it. Lots of people buy toasters but I would hardly call toasters (these days) innovative.

If you sat down with a piece of paper and wrote out all the features (software and hardware) of the iPad Touch, iPhone, and iPad...there would be HUGE huge huge overlap. I give props to the iPhone...and some props the the Touch for innovation. But the iPad? Meh...it's just the iPhone, minus the phone, 4x larger. Sure, of course there are some other small differences like camera resolution and storage capacity...but that's all marketing to keep their product lines from cannibalizing themselves.

iPad is a nice product...I'll say it again for you (and others here)...but please don't call it innovative when it was released 5+ years after the iPhone and shares 90% of the iPhone features.

As far as killing PC (not just Windows machines) sales...the jury's out on that...remember that a VERY HIGH PERCENTAGE of people don't go out and buy a new $700-$1500 desktop/laptop every year. Usually it's every 3-5 years. The iPad turns 3 Q2 2013 so we need to see what PC sales are like in 2014-2015 to realistically see how iPad/tablets are affecting the PC market. I agree the iPad is certainly hurting the PC industry in general (for a lot of reasons) but remember that iPads RELY on a computer in many ways. How many people do you know have an iPad but do NOT have a computer?...answer: 0. You NEED a computer to make the iPad work simply by pressing the Power button on the first time...in fact, you need a computer to get the pictures and videos off it easily...you also need it to get the full 1080 video recordings off the iPad. Apple's site (and the iPad box) even states you need a computer with iTunes...although Apple has changed the wording recently to make it sound like only if you want to "sync".

Desktops and laptops, classic personal computers that is, will be around for at least another 20 years in high demand. The iPad (and tablets as a whole) simply are not meant to REPLACE a traditional personal computer...but again, let's not write a book on the pros/cons of tablets and PCs.

Well said, I couldn't agree more

 

[Tech198]

I'd be up for this is anyone can confirm this new iPad would have Retina,,m It not, then i'm sticking one that does

Thinner & ligher is all well and good, but if the display if crap like the mini, then i don't want it.

tabets may not be for traditional use, or even replace, but they are taking over.


The time will come, when this will happen, not now... but it will happen, at some stage...

 

[frosse]

I'm just waiting for someone "heavy" in the game to really confirm or dismiss a spring launch. Confirm? I wait. Dismiss? I'll buy an iPad 4!

 

[Santabean2000]

You came, you read, you posted in the forum. That's four page hits.

And that's why

Yes, but will I keep coming back...

There are a million options on the web. If MacRumors keeps pulling up dribble then I'll quite happily move along. And so will others.

 

[irDigital0l]

So who thinks a major toss up by Apple.

iPhone 5S with support from iOS 6.2 in June.
iPad 5 with iOS 7 in September.

No.

 

[Born Again]

why would you expect anything other than the dongle adapter solutions apple has used for the past many years?

----------



no, you are their target audience. but the misconception is youre supposed to upgrade to the newest one...you arent. they simply make them annually. it's like cars or home stereos -- they come out every year but nobody expects you to constantly upgrade. same thing.

----------



if you cant tell the diff between retina display and non, either youre high, or your eyes are shot. seriously. it's a dramatic difference.

It's not really hi def - google it

 

[dazed]

My iPad 2 is still going strong but I would love a retina display eventually.

I'd be tempted by this or a retina mini.

 

[ChrisTX]

Yes I don't get the logic either. I can understand them updating all the iOS devices in the second half of the year ready for the back to school and holiday buying season but why not balance it with Mac updates in the first half of the year so we get a steady stream of new products.

It wouldn't be that difficult to have an Mac desktop event in Feb and a laptops event in April or just have one bumper Mac only event in Feb, bit like they used to with the old MacWorld keynotes.

Then ok update the iPhone in July and the iPod/iPad in Sept.

I know what some are going to say - that Apple is dependent on Intel processor release dates to determine their Mac release dates. Well it doesn't have to be like that. It's not like I'm going to rush out and buy a Windows PC instead just because they have the latest processor first. I'm going to wait for the Mac update. I mean why launch a new iMac in December for heavens sake? I doubt anyone in the wider public even noticed. They could have sorted out the manufacturing problems just in time for a Feb media event and launch, nicely timed not long after CES.

I hate to say it, but Apple seems really unorganized as of late. And it all starts at the top. They need to go back to their former release dates, instead of trying to change everything. Apple had a winning formula, and there's no reason to change that.

 

[Casiotone]

Then why does the iPhone, which happens to be smaller than an iPad Mini, have an A6, Mr. Condescending?
Hint: newer SOCs are more efficient while also being more powerful, news at 11. The A5X was a huge power hog; things will only get better.

I can only speculate as to why Apple didn't give the Mini an A6 to begin with - maybe they wanted to see if it takes off first. Well, it certainly has and thus shouldn't be burdened by second rate hardware.

The iPhone doesn't have a 7.9" 2048x1536 screen to drive which is more than 4.3x the number of pixels and screen area to power.

While the mini does have a bigger battery it's only 3x as powerful, not 4.3x which is not a small difference (iPhone 5 has a 5.45W/h battery vs. 16.3W/h for the iPad mini).

As for power consumption getting better, those gains have been used by Apple to make more powerful processors, negating the difference it could make in battery usage. (i.e. 2x faster CPU instead of 24h of battery life)

Sorry if you felt I was condescending, but to me it's just obvious that the smaller lower-margin product won't have the same processor as the full-size one, and I don't see how this equates to "crippling".

And again, margins are important to investors, as well as the capacity to meet the demand, which is not as easy to achieve with the cutting-edge latest CPU. And as demonstrated by the sales of the mini, most consumers don't care much about CPU power in tablets.

 

[Navdakilla]

I am ready to sell my 3rd gen!! Bring this on!

 

[charlituna]

I hate to say it, but Apple seems really unorganized as of late. And it all starts at the top. They need to go back to their former release dates, instead of trying to change everything. Apple had a winning formula, and there's no reason to change that.

Winning for you, but perhaps not for them

 

[Snowy_River]

Those small incremental upgrades are what the iPad should have had in the first place.

I upgraded 2 iPad1's to iPad4's in hopes the crashes would stop but nope, it still crashes and all those "upgrades" don't mean anything to me.
The iPad reminds me a lot of the reliability issues of Win 3.1 and Packard-Bell PC's.

Stablize iOS and the HW!!!

Honestly, I'm not sure what to say about this. This is an anecdotal evidence of instability in iOS and iPad. On the other hand, I had an iPad 1 from launch day, then upgraded to an iPad 2, at which point my mother and my wife both also got iPad 2s. In addition to this, I have three other friends who have iPads of various generations. Of all of these, stability has never been an issue, in the slightest. I cannot remember my iPad 1 ever crashing. I think that my iPad 2 has crash, perhaps, twice in the two years that I've had it.

To me that is pretty outstanding stability.... Of course, this is also just anecdotal....

 

[bpd115]

Please please please give us a pressure sensitive Wacom like stylus.

 

[Mr. Gates]

Please please please give us a pressure sensitive Wacom like stylus.

But.....Steve Jobs would never have allowed that !

We can not deviate from his vision, even 10 years from now. I don't care if technology progresses 10 years into the future ! As a devote of all things Steve ... I must protest

 

[69650]

I hate to say it, but Apple seems really unorganized as of late. And it all starts at the top. They need to go back to their former release dates, instead of trying to change everything. Apple had a winning formula, and there's no reason to change that.

Yes I would agree with you. Their product release cycle seems all over the place at the moment. You only have to look at the sales figures over the past few years so see it was a winning formula. I'm not at all convinced that Tim Cook is the right person for CEO.

 

[HurryKayne]

But.....Steve Jobs would never have allowed that !

We can not deviate from his vision, even 10 years from now. I don't care if technology progresses 10 years into the future ! As a devote of all things Steve ... I must protest

..BUT there's a patent for that..maybe would be just fud..but who knows?

 

[Tyrion]

The iPhone doesn't have a 7.9" 2048x1536 screen to drive which is more than 4.3x the number of pixels and screen area to power.

While the mini does have a bigger battery it's only 3x as powerful, not 4.3x which is not a small difference (iPhone 5 has a 5.45W/h battery vs. 16.3W/h for the iPad mini).

As for power consumption getting better, those gains have been used by Apple to make more powerful processors, negating the difference it could make in battery usage. (i.e. 2x faster CPU instead of 24h of battery life)

Sorry if you felt I was condescending, but to me it's just obvious that the smaller lower-margin product won't have the same processor as the full-size one, and I don't see how this equates to "crippling".

And again, margins are important to investors, as well as the capacity to meet the demand, which is not as easy to achieve with the cutting-edge latest CPU. And as demonstrated by the sales of the mini, most consumers don't care much about CPU power in tablets.

I still don't get why you're arguing that Apple will always treat the iPad Mini as a second-tier product. Isn't it more probable that the Mini got crappy specs because a) development likely started a while ago, when iPad 2 was the flagship and b) it was developed in secret by a separate team so that the full-size iPad was on a different schedule and got all the goodies while the Mini was essentially a previous-generation device when it was released? A similar thing happened with the very first iPad, which was basically an iPhone 3GS and which even had its own special iOS version - the teams working on the iPad and the iPhone 4 likely didn't know anything about each other.

Now that the Mini has come into its own as a product I think Apple will give it some love, i. e. at the very least current-gen SOCs and ideally a retina display. Again, it doesn't make sense to artificially cripple a product which is already successful, but probably has even more potential. I'm not sure consumers don't care about these things, neither I nor anyone I know (non-techies for the most part) are interested in the Mini until it gets a retina display, for example. That's not some kind or arcane spec only nerds care about, even my dad can immediately perceive the difference between retina and non-retina.

 

[ChrisTX]

Winning for you, but perhaps not for them

I can't tell if you're being serious or not? Their stock was at its highest under Steve Jobs, and is now at its lowest under Tim Cook. I'm not saying Cook is an all around bad leader, because Steve obviously saw something in him. However what Apple was doing previously was a winning formula. Sure Cook wants to put his mark on Apple but not everything needs to be changed. Maybe I'm just throwing a shot in the dark. But it seems like to me, in order to have a balanced year Apple was better off releasing several products throughout the year, instead of releasing several products all at once. To me it seems like Cook is really just taking a gamble.

Please please please give us a pressure sensitive Wacom like stylus.

If Apple made a high quality note like product, I would be all over it!