Apple has had a consistent iPad strategy of dominating the high-end market, forcing competitors into the low-cost, low-profit end. A $250 iPad would divert the company's resources toward a low-end, low-profit product, damaging the Apple image. Their profits in the 1st Qtr. of 2012 were $13 billion, double their profits from a year earlier, while iPad market share rose from 54% to 68% while Android market share fell during this same period. (http://www.dailytech.com/Apple+Cont...roid+Tablets+Trend+Downwards/article24608.htm) I believe Apple already makes 80% of the profits in the tablet market, although they don't have 80% market share. This essentially means most other tablet makers are selling near cost or at a loss and losing market share. I don't mean this as an indictment or endorsement of one OS over another, but the consumer seems to have spoken.
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7.85-Inch iPad to Ramp Up Production in September at Foxconn Brazil
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Well we will see, but Apple's pricing structure is to maximise profit at point of purchase PLUS rake in all the money from apps and music etc.
It is the reason for it's vast wealth. Kudos to them, I brought into it. But I really don't know if they will change that policy for a 7" tablet.
I mean if they sold a 7" iPad for $250 or less and scrap the iPod Touch, then they will instantly take a hit on 9" iPad sales overnight. Who knows, it's a different Apple now so they may do this.
I will be getting a 7" tab for Christmas, I just sold my Chinese 7" ICS tab because the manufacture updated it, THEN I see the MS Surface, Google Nexus 7, and the Kindle Fire 2 rumours haha... talk about timing.
But would I want an iPad? Depends on pricing, I think the UK 8GB Nexus 7 is all I can ask my family to spend on me and I can't see a 7" iPad match it.
However, this year is fast becoming the year of the tablet wars, again.. at both ends of the pricing spectrum.
I was reading a review in Stuff Magazine, a gadget publication, of the Galaxy S3 and they were even questioning Apple's pricing policy of the iPhone 4S, stating you pay WAY more for less tech and Apple no longer gets the newest tech first, but last. Mainly due to having one model updated once a year. But they are right, price wise the iPhone is horrendously expensive for less value for money.
But it didn't happen. Those rumors were a tablet COMPUTER, basically an official Apple ModBook. That is not what Apple released. They released what was basically a giant iPod touch, which like the iPod can do some tasks that can also be done on a computer but was far from what the rumors were saying would happen
And I suspect this rumor and the tv rumor will turn out the same, if anything comes from them at all.
Not sure if it will happen, but to all the naysayers this does seem to be consistent with Apple's strategy with the iPod. Start with a high end model and once established move into the lower end market to dominate the field. To that end to expand their market share they have to move to lower priced units. Just look at the range of iPod models and their price points.
There may be some overlap with the iPod touch, but is that really a big seller anyway? I looked at in last year and the specs seem to be poor, particularly the camera, for the money. I think that it is something they could easily do away with if they had an iPad mini. In fact I think they could probably do away with most of the iPod line-up, all they really need is the shuffle and maybe the nano (though it might be nice to have a larger form-factor similar to the Classic).
There may be some overlap with the iPod touch, but is that really a big seller anyway? I looked at in last year and the specs seem to be poor, particularly the camera, for the money. I think that it is something they could easily do away with if they had an iPad mini. In fact I think they could probably do away with most of the iPod line-up, all they really need is the shuffle and maybe the nano (though it might be nice to have a larger form-factor similar to the Classic).
iPad Mini... and a new Apple product upgrade cycle begins, and product differentiation, all over again. Let me guess. It will be totally watered down, very carefully stripped of hardware and features to make sure they can upgrade it on the next generation. And make sure that you have to own a iPad 3, iPad mini and iPhone 4s and MacBook Air in order to cover all your needs.
And most famously, as an example, back to stone age again with a 0.1 megapixel camera. Just so that you can buy a new iPad Mini 2 one year later with a 1.5 megapixel camera.
Getting fed up with the first and second generation of an Apple product. How can Apple be proud over that?
And most famously, as an example, back to stone age again with a 0.1 megapixel camera. Just so that you can buy a new iPad Mini 2 one year later with a 1.5 megapixel camera.
Getting fed up with the first and second generation of an Apple product. How can Apple be proud over that?
Perhaps it's just because I've had an iPad since it's original launch, but you know what. I find the device a bit dull and bland.
Yes, it's a great bit of hardware and works well, but there is no real WOW/PAZAZ factor about it.
Perhaps as the iPad2 and iPad3 have basically been tweaked versions of the iPad1.
I know this gives off a solid and dependable feeling, but it's like a car maker who just has 1 model that he tweaks a bit each year. It's all nice, but it can get a bit dull if that's the only model they make and there are no real options, just do you want leather or fabric seats, what colour, and pick from 3 engine sizes, and that's it.
I suppose I'm saying Apple are, so me anyway, lacking some sparkle in the iPad tablet, and myself anyway, I'd like to feel there was a bit more innovations and variation in their tablet range to spark a bit more interest.
Yes, it's a great bit of hardware and works well, but there is no real WOW/PAZAZ factor about it.
Perhaps as the iPad2 and iPad3 have basically been tweaked versions of the iPad1.
I know this gives off a solid and dependable feeling, but it's like a car maker who just has 1 model that he tweaks a bit each year. It's all nice, but it can get a bit dull if that's the only model they make and there are no real options, just do you want leather or fabric seats, what colour, and pick from 3 engine sizes, and that's it.
I suppose I'm saying Apple are, so me anyway, lacking some sparkle in the iPad tablet, and myself anyway, I'd like to feel there was a bit more innovations and variation in their tablet range to spark a bit more interest.
It's you that is supposed the Wow and Pizzaz. Computer do what they do well. They organize and crunch numbers. The primary advantage that you have is reasoning and creativity amongst other attributes. When I look at the work created with Sketch or Procreate I'm amazed.
The iPad is a tool and you should be no more wowed by it than a hammer. Save the wow and pizzaz for what you build with that hammer.
As I say it's my own view yes.
You see a range of iMacs, or MacBooks, of Android Phones, of Windows PC's or Windows laptops, all offering different things, for different tastes, and the iPad is just this one thing in wow, black or white.
I guess I would just like to see a table with a range of Apple tablets to select from to match your personal taste and price range, in the same way most other things in the world are offered to customers.
Yes, the iPad may be a hammer, but even hammers come in a wide variety of sizes, materials, colours, prices.
Oh yes I agree with that. I think a smaller iPad is inevitable as well as a larger iPad.
Touch enabled computing is a new category to me and I've got no problems with a future that could contain
7.85 - iPad mini
9.7 -iPad
12-13" - iPad XL
I don't believe the rumor either, but you're wrong in many aspects.
1st) the iPad ISN'T affordable for most people.
2nd) Kindle fire might be crap now (because it's outdated), but nexus 7 won't be, and that's scary for apple.
A cheap iPad would serve all those people that want a tablet but don't want to spend 500$+ for one.
I have no idea where this stands right now, but I do think there needs to be some minimal legal requirement regarding how much the actual contents of your "digital life" can be platform independent. With how quickly things are shifting to people investing a lot of time and effort into entering all their personal data these systems, it seems unfair to have all that effort serve to trap them into a particular platform. The move now is clearly to make this all be device independent within a particular platform -- you choose the tool that best suits your needs at the time, and the data seamlessly syncs between them.
It needs to be looked at so that the companies don't lock people into their platform by erecting needless barricades to moving their data between competing ecosystems -- then you can truly have the freedom to pick the best tool for the task.
I don't believe the rumor either, but you're wrong in many aspects.
1st) the iPad ISN'T affordable for most people.
2nd) Kindle fire might be crap now (because it's outdated), but nexus 7 won't be, and that's scary for apple.
A cheap iPad would serve all those people that want a tablet but don't want to spend 500$+ for one.
Totally agree with your first point. An iPad for most people is a luxury item. $500 barely gets you in the door. Realistically most people are looking at $650-$750.
As well as it's sold, it would sell an outrageous amount at the $300 price point....just like the iPhone.
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We've seen Apple stray a bit from that model. The $99 8-gig iPhone 4/free with contact 3GS wasn't about maximizing profit' as much as getting people hooked into the ecosystem earlier.
Suddenly an iPhone for teens went from a luxury item or hand-me-down to an easy purchase. Apple knew people would quickly outgrow those devices and move on to something more storage.
I see the iPad mini being the same way. Apple would likely spec it out so that it met general needs, but would likely limit the storage (16 GB max) and display to still encourage people to 'grow into' a more expensive Apple tablet.
Am I the only one who thinks this isn't an iPad Mini at all but a remote for the new TV product?
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And you would STILL be looking for a 7.85" tablet remote for half an hour in your front room!!!!
What if it's all that but also marketed as a controller/companion for the apple tv set top box and the new apple tv store on iTunes?
While I doubt the reality of a 7" ipad, how do you explain the mac mini if Apple never cheapens?
keeping an inexpensive iPad 2 was already a huge sacrifice from Apple in terms of margin
i don't think it would make sense to believe in a smaller iPad
moreover, Apple has never released a product with lower specs than existing range
more improvements for each generation and suddenly a smaller ipad with lower screen resolution than retina ?
no way
i don't think it would make sense to believe in a smaller iPad
moreover, Apple has never released a product with lower specs than existing range
more improvements for each generation and suddenly a smaller ipad with lower screen resolution than retina ?
no way
You mean the carrier-subsidized phones that generate a fairly high profit for Apple on fairly low manufacturing costs? Smartphones are never a good example because they're closer to a 50% profit margin.
We all know you have no idea what the margin is on the iPad 2. As for the lower specs the Macbook Pro 13" model still has a lower screen resolution than the 13" Macbook Air which refutes your second point.
Well, in the UK the Mac Mini starts from £529 or $818, with NO keyboard, monitor, mouse, CD or DVD Rom drive and only 2GB Ram.
And actually on the US Apple store it starts from $599 plus tax! How many computers can you get in America for $599 with a keyboard, mouse and monitor, how many laptops even?
If you think that's cheap, you aren't living in the real world and must either be a millionaire or an investment banker that got mega rich from the recession??
Again, Apple do NOT do cheap.
perspective
Not sure why everyone is convinced that a smaller iPad will kill iPod touch. I've been an iPod touch user since the first generation and have owned most of its newer siblings. It's small. It fits in my pocket or hand. It fits on my armband when I exercise. An iPad could be the same price but I'm not going to be able to strap it to my arm or carry it when I'm at the gym or riding my bike. The way I see it, iPod already has established its base. iPad is small and convenient, but not where the iPod is. I'd buy a small iPad even if it were cheaper than an iPod.
Not sure why everyone is convinced that a smaller iPad will kill iPod touch. I've been an iPod touch user since the first generation and have owned most of its newer siblings. It's small. It fits in my pocket or hand. It fits on my armband when I exercise. An iPad could be the same price but I'm not going to be able to strap it to my arm or carry it when I'm at the gym or riding my bike. The way I see it, iPod already has established its base. iPad is small and convenient, but not where the iPod is. I'd buy a small iPad even if it were cheaper than an iPod.