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I think all the recent rumors are likely true:

Retina display (easier to do on a 6 inch device)
6 inch iPad.... More like a 6 inch iPod touch that can run iPad apps at the same or better resolution
September launch.... that's when we see new iPod touch's right?

ok, makes sense.
 
Yes, the 9 inch will be updated in march/april and the ipad "nano" 6 inch (?) every september along with the iPods. I think that sounds reasonable.
 
It would be great for people like me who need a device thats in-between iPod Touch and iPad. They can put the current iPad's resolution (1024x768) and it'd look great. And it won't cause any problem for devs. So, it really looks possible.
 
If they brand it as a "Big iPod touch" rather than a small iPad it will make all of the 7inch Android tablets just look like "big ipod touches" rather than small tablets.

That would be a smart marketing move.
 
I think that would be too small. My eyes strain with the iPhone already! ...

Not too small. BIG! Less eyestrain.

This would be brilliant. A device that could run iPhone 4 Retina apps zoomed up to a moderately larger size. Great for people with aging or poor vision. Expand the market beyond kids with perfect vision. That's a huge and growing market. Just look at the number of stores that sell reading glasses. And the average age of the population in most developed countries is going up.

It would take Retina apps to a non-retina resolution (still better than that of the 3GS), but for people who don't have excellent vision, they likely won't notice anyway.
 
a "half format" ipad would fulfill a very real need. The Ipad is cumbersome when out, no question about it... unless you can lean somewhere convenient or sit.

I'm going to give apple a bit to get their act together and get this product made or I guess its check out the competition time for me.

It seems strange to insist on "fingers are too big" when (A) no one really complains about massive inaccuracy in ios apps on a much smaller iphone screen, relatively, and (B) that other tablets are able to manage just fine, thanks, in the half size form.

Is 7ish inches too big for a pocket? Yeah... but its much more manageable to comfortably carry.

I'm doubtful that Apple will, as steve is particularly stubborn when adding an option really wouldn't disadvantage anyone (see bluray,) but in a perfect world, a smaller ipad would be a must purchase for me (esp with 3g,) whereas a second or upgraded 10" ipad... notsomuch.
 
I'm just thrilled that I have am high functioning and don't have to rely on Daddy Steve to think for me, tell me what's best for me. Or tell me how it's gonna be.

The freedom I enjoy will never be experienced by Steve's minions.

Funny thing is if you have to say your high functioning, you probably aren't.
the term "high functioning" is usually referring to a drug addict or a diseased ridden patient. It also may refer to patients undergoing extreme psychotic breakdowns. If your problem is the latter, perhaps you could look for a radio call in show, or the psychic hotline. Posting on here won't get you the kind of help you need.
 
Pardon the innuendo but all I hear in reading these comments is "I want a 6"er", no! "make mine a 7"er.
I'm a human factors professional and I ponder in dismay, what sounds like locker room discussions of male anatomical appendages.
Doesn't ANYONE ever ask...."Humn. What am I NOT able to do with the iphone, or iPad form-factor?"
Even Apple is fiddling around with all this.
I do not own an iphone because it's way too big for a phone ( love my ancient Samsung T806), too small to type anything on comfortably and lacks key functionality that is ALMOST there.
It's a very smart toy with excellent phone capabilities. I own a bunch of laptops and a desktop.
Make the surprise release anApple, ipocket™ at 7" diagonal with miniHDMI INPUT and then a few million of my friends can use it to input HD signals from Digicams and HD Video as well as all the typical ipad/iphone Apps.
But I'm still using my unlocked triband GSM Samsung for phone calls:D
Size only matters when everything else is just right!
 
For me that would be one where the resolution mattered...a 6 inch ipad with a retina display could be very nice.
 
In the comparisons section of the media event, smaller tablets didn't get such a kicking as before, so perhaps a smaller device is on the cards. Perhaps alongside iPods in September?
 
I think all the recent rumors are likely true:

Retina display (easier to do on a 6 inch device)
6 inch iPad.... More like a 6 inch iPod touch that can run iPad apps at the same or better resolution
September launch.... that's when we see new iPod touch's right?

ok, makes sense.

That would shrink the gui elements.

So your finger is going to get 1/2 smaller? :rolleyes:

Note iPhone added retina, AT THE SAME SCREEN SIZE.
 
Steve was pretty adamant about a smaller iPad not working. And I know he's denied things before only to have them released a few months later, but this wasn't a simple denial. He went into pretty lengthy detail explaining exactly the reasons why it was fundamentally a bad idea.
He had to come out strongly against it. That's his favorite tactic.
 
am I the only one who actually remembers why 7" netbooks failed and the companies decided to not really venture smaller than 9"? Everyone found out that other than children, no one could type properly on a keyboard that small. This is what Steve was referencing when he said that the manufacturers of 7" tabs would have to ship files with them to file down their fingers to fit.

further, to people who like to bring up the whole "they said no to 3G with the first iPhone but then brought it..." that is a completely different argument. the fact is, there was virtually no network coverage for 3G at the time, nor was there proof that there would be soon, so including it would have been a waste of space and made it even more expensive. When AT&T proved that it could have a large enough 3G network up and running, then they put the chip in
 
He had to come out strongly against it. That's his favorite tactic.

They said it couldn't be done...

But we're so awesome that we did it.

Anyway, this rumor seems like BS to me.

If Apple is coming out with an around 4" iPod Touch by the fall, like the rumors say, then there isn't really a place for a 6" tablet.
 
They could always call it the ipod Maxi

I just don't see it happening really. Too much diversification would make it more difficult for consumers to choose.

It is my impression that Apple is very much about choice architecture and willingness to sacrifice some aspects or abilities, in favor of doing everything else well.

I don't see how a 6 inch platform would do anything but muddy the waters.
 
I doubt this will happen because if they really wanted that they would have had it with the iPad2. Now a larger iPod touch I could see happening.
 
I would buy a 6" or 7" ipad in a heartbeat.

I already have two ipads. I doubt that I would buy a "ipad 2" as common wisdom seems to define it. But a smaller ipad would be a whole different matter.

There is a market for it; just because you personally don't want one does not equate to "epic fail".
Well said.

It's a great convenience to have a smaller tablet than my full size iPads which stay at home.

I've had my 7" 3G + WiFi Galaxy Tab for months & enjoyed it so much I'm getting another, sans 3G. I just pre-ordered one for only $350. A price that was too good to pass up.

The performance and user experience with these is truly excellent. I've not had a single problem with the Galaxy Tab.

Plus having flash on the new one is a big, important feature since I get my news this way and hate when my iPad can't play the news videos, or other pervasive flash content.

Having both Android & iOS tablets has turned out quite nice.
 
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