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I know everyone keeps wanting a retina display on a new iPad but I think it's just not feasible yet.

To have a ppi similar to the iPod touch or iPhone 4 a 7" tablet device would need a resolution of 1800 * 1350 (roughly 4:3 aspect ratio like the current iPad).

If there is a smaller tablet in the works, my bet would be on a 7.1" by 4.5" device with a 7" screen of 1280 * 960 pixels, "only" 220ppi, the same as the new iPod Nano. I realize this would be a 16:10 aspect ratio and certainly unusual for a small device, but the resolution would live around these values.
 
Sucked in again....

Ohhhh look at the buby one! Isn't 'e cute oh yes 'e is...
*Sigh* I have an iPad but want a baby one not sure why just do,
 
A 7" iPad would be a monumental mistake. Current iPad apps would need to be either redesigned for the smaller screen or UI elements such as button would be shrunken, making them more difficult to tap.
 
A 7" iPad would be a monumental mistake. Current iPad apps would need to be either redesigned for the smaller screen

There are far more apps designed for the iPhone sized screen than the iPad. For a large number if iOS Apps they already have to deal with a smaller and/or second sized screen.

Second, the pixel dimensions of the 7" could be made to match that of the of the higher density "Retina displays". 960x640 or easily add a "letterbox" black frame of 960x640 to a 1024x680 screen.


or UI elements such as button would be shrunken, making them more difficult to tap.

Somewhat wonder if the bigger target market for the 7" model will be younger/smaller folks. They may deal better with smaller pixels, but in reading and tapping than folks with average adult sized hands.

However, as pointed out above if targeting something closer to iPhone dimensions they are just as "shrunken" and "small' as on the iPhone screen. (it will be the opposite effect since the pixel density is reduced. The buttons are bigger and easier to work. Depends upon where the app developer's starting point is. )
There are going to be some apps which the 9.7" enables than the 7" disables. Just like how the 4" screen disables.
 
There are far more apps designed for the iPhone sized screen than the iPad. For a large number if iOS Apps they already have to deal with a smaller and/or second sized screen.

Second, the pixel dimensions of the 7" could be made to match that of the of the higher density "Retina displays". 960x640 or easily add a "letterbox" black frame of 960x640 to a 1024x680 screen.




Somewhat wonder if the bigger target market for the 7" model will be younger/smaller folks. They may deal better with smaller pixels, but in reading and tapping than folks with average adult sized hands.

However, as pointed out above if targeting something closer to iPhone dimensions they are just as "shrunken" and "small' as on the iPhone screen. (it will be the opposite effect since the pixel density is reduced. The buttons are bigger and easier to work. Depends upon where the app developer's starting point is. )
There are going to be some apps which the 9.7" enables than the 7" disables. Just like how the 4" screen disables.

IMO it is targeted at 2 groups. I agree with your suggestion at younger consumers (gaming via AirPlay to Apple TV) but not necessarily smaller people.

IMO, the second target is any gender that carries a bag like accessory for personal items. For the sake of honesty, one must admit one gender leans more heavily into this arena. I think there is a big market for a 7" you just throw in a purse and go. I hear this at work frequently.

Samsung beat Apple to the market with a very good 7" product. However once the 7" iPad arrives others will not be able to take Apple Head On. They will need to focus more on the "netbook of tablets" segment. If one emerges prior to 2012.

Just speculation of course. Hopefully this post is long enough not to be deleted. ;) :apple:
 
Now there will be the possibility of an iPad being known as the "big iPhone"? I do like the iPhone 4 design. It looks more appropriate professionally.
 
Just my thinking

iphone 4" is too small for me, ipad as a phone is too big, I don't want to use my ipad as a phone at all, its nice toy and I like to keep it like that 7" iphone will do it for me.

i fully agree, 7" will be great for traveling, make it a workhorse by adding usb, and a camera downloading port, as a photographer i'd like to be able to download DSLR images to it for backup and to do some basic editing
 
A 7" iPad would be a monumental mistake. Current iPad apps would need to be either redesigned for the smaller screen or UI elements such as button would be shrunken, making them more difficult to tap.

The button is the same size on every device.

Go look for yourself.

They also would not need to redesign apps for the smaller screen.
The resolution will remain the same as the 9.7 inch iPad albeit with sharper images and with the screen attached to the glass ala iPhone 4.
 
$64,000 question - IF Apple does a 7" iPad what would be the right price? $100 less does not strike me as enough to entice the consumer - maybe $150-200 less would.
Maybe the same price but with additional features.
5mp camera, face time, more ram and better screen.
 
I probably would have gotten a 7 in if it was available when I bought my iPad. It's much closer to a paper back or nav screen in a car. I find that my iPad is too big to use for navigation in my car while my cell phone is to small. So when it's time for an upgrade I might consider this .
 
I probably would have gotten a 7 in if it was available when I bought my iPad. It's much closer to a paper back or nav screen in a car. I find that my iPad is too big to use for navigation in my car while my cell phone is to small. So when it's time for an upgrade I might consider this .

I agree too!
 
Out of interest, do you own one? I'm quite happy with the size of the current iPad, it's not cumbersome at all.

Nope I don't. I played around with it in the Apple store and figured that if I were to bring it around with me like what I do with my phone then it wouldn't be that feasible.
 
I find that my iPad is too big to use for navigation in my car while my cell phone is to small. So when it's time for an upgrade I might consider this .

Both 7" and 11' mounted car nav screen sizes are illegal in California. Many other states it isn't an explicit violation, but cannot singnificantly obstruct the view out of your front window ( it would be a judgement call, but 7" is rather big.) I doubt anyone with a legal staff or counsel would compose an app that supports using a device of that size those as one. There used to be 6+" devices but you'll only find them used or in someone seriously old inventory now.
 
IMO it is targeted at 2 groups. I agree with your suggestion at younger consumers (gaming via AirPlay to Apple TV) but not necessarily smaller people.

the vast majority of people who are 5-10 years old are smaller people. That is the normal growth cycle. The 10" iPad is more an adult scaled device. If a school system handed out 7" devices to elementary school kids 7" would be a better fit in their hands than the 10" one.


Airplay has nothing to do with gaming. If you have an iOS device in your hand .... what does a TV has to do with the game ? You already have a screen in front of you. Apple TV and gaming is waaaaaaaaaay overblown here.





IMO, the second target is any gender that carries a bag like accessory for personal items. For the sake of honesty, one must admit one gender leans more heavily into this arena.

That isn't particularly honest. Go to any college/school campus or a professional white collar business district. The number of folks carrying material around in a bag is relatively gender neutral. The scope above is too narrow because it focuses on after work social hours outside the home. Sure you get a skew there but you have missed the vast majority of the waking hours for many working folks.

Humans have been commonly carrying around books for over 100 years. That wasn't gender specific either. This is no bigger or heavier than a book.
There is no revolution required here to transport this device.


The objective is to not to carry it everywhere possible. The objective would be to use where it is convenient with lots of overlap where could take a laptop. the differential from laptop is that it is more inexpensive, lighter, and at least as long batter life. It isn't targeting the touch/Phone market.
 
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