7-Inch iPad to Launch By Christmas?

[MattInOz]

ding ding ding.
THAT's the issue.
That, and the fact that Apple doesn't actually NEED to diversify yet. They still can't make the existing model fast enough.
There's a pace to these things, and while I think there will be a 7" model at some point, there's a LOT of iPads to be sold in the current configuration, particularly having the market all to itself.

Remember we are talking an order of magnitude increase of numbers over any of the Mac lines the same rules still apply but in a very different way. So they If they need additional production capacity then why not have two production lines making two products. Where is Mac lines are about simiplifing options to keep lines as busy as they can, in the iDevice realm the lines are seemingly already busy even over capacity.

That way they can diversify demand so the smaller model steals some of the demand for people who would prefer small but settle for larger as well as taps the market of those who want smaller and aren't prepared to settle. That then opens up capacity for those to tap pent up demand for those that still want the larger model.

Plus you don't have two production teams competing for the same parts which is what is holding back production of the 9incher now. Plus if parts are constrained then switching to an upgraded model with higher res, helps them move away of parts that are in high demand and resolve issues.

 

[lilcosco08]

300 bucks or it's not worth it

 

[DylanLikesPorn]

7-inch iPad would be light and easy enough to hold in one hand while the other hand is busy doing something else. For me, this would be essential.

 

[Rocketman]

If I had one wish for the mini-iPad, it would be to make the rim half as wide or less, and mainly on the sides none on the top and bottom.

Less unit volume, same resolution, faster processor, more memory, more connect options (LTE).

Rocketman

 

[DylanLikesPorn]

The link you quoted right there - the PC World article - is titled "Report Says Apple to Launch 7-inch IPad by Christmas".

So your position is that MacRumors, when it's linking to an external story, needs to change the title it uses - when referring to that external story - to something different than what's actually the external story's title?

That's one of the silliest things I've heard in a long time.

That's not really the point.

Imagine if the original article was something like, " Report Says Apple to Launch 7-inch iPad during Ramadan". Do you think MacRumors would run it as is? No.

 

[Westside guy]

How would this affect app's that fit the 9" something screen? Would it scale down correctly or would it be yet another size the developer have to account for?

The rumors so far all seem to say the resolution of the smaller iPad is the same as the larger one - so unless your app incorporates a ruler then it's probably not an issue.

The app icons will be scaled as well, of course; but if you compare an iPod Touch or iPhone screen with the current iPad screen, you'll see that the app icons are significantly smaller there as well. I haven't heard a groundswell of complaints about the "too small app icons" on the iPhone.

BTW on my iPod Touch I actually have an app that incorporates a ruler... DARN!!

That's not really the point.

Imagine if the original article was something like, " Report Says Apple to Launch 7-inch iPad during Ramadan". Do you think MacRumors would run it as is? No.

Actually, I expect they would. Why wouldn't they?

If the article referred to Ramadan, I'd assume there's a reason for it - just like the "Christmas" reference obviously is all about having a product available for the Christmas shopping season.

 

[WLS]

I don't see the 7 inch iPad mini being all that much cheaper even though that may be what you want. Remember the iPad has a lot of space in it which is because of the screen size. A smaller screen would mostly mean tightening up the interior layout but the components will be pretty much the same with only the cost of the 7 inch screen as the difference. With the higher dpi of that screen I am not sure the cost will be all that much different either.. It would be maybe $100 less at best but the target group would be those who want the smaller size for portability and just maybe it would be a marketing pre-emptive strike to control the tablet turf in the 5-7 inch range (Looking at you Dell!) and kill off competition. If it came with the gyroscope that would be a plus too. I'd probably get it but I have been saying from the start that I wanted a 6 or 7 inch iPad.

 

[fox10078]

I could see maybe Apple doing this to deal with the shortage of screens for the regular iPad.

 

[twoodcc]

i personally don't see how a smaller one would be better. but it would give users more options i guess

 

[Goliath]

A 7-inch iPad could be a good move, but I really hope that Apple won't launch a new 9.7" iPad with more RAM and a faster processor after 5-6 months after the first iPad.

It would be a kick in the ass of millions of people.

If Apple did update the iPad with more RAM and a faster processor 6 months after the release of the first iPad there will be so many people bitching and moaning how Apple have cheated them, how their iPad is worthless, or they should be entitled to a partial refund or an exchange. Some idiot will probably try and file a class action lawsuit etc.

Apple don't owe the early adopters anything and they certainly shouldn't hold back updating products. Technology constantly improves and Apple shouldn't have to wait a year to introduce a new updated model to avoid upsetting early adopters.

 

[dampfnudel]

i personally don't see how a smaller one would be better. but it would give users more options i guess

I'm sure a lot of people would appreciate a lighter, more portable iPad. One that's easier to hold and one that's handbag-friendly (for women). Perhaps one that also adds a webcam with FaceTime and 512MB of RAM. In other words, expect Apple to sell a ton of them.

 

[DMann]

I wouldn't mind a 7" iPad. And I think an introduction before Christmas would be an excellent move on Apple's part.

Seems to be in-line with the plan.

 

[JAYnLA]

The Lily

Gilding the lily, in my opinion.

 

[DMann]

Gilding the lily, in my opinion.

Perhaps, a lily worthy of gilding.

 

[TripHop]

iOS 4 for iPad Won't Be Out Until November

iOS4 will be coming in Mid-September for the iPad, that should hold some clues of what is to come.

iOS 4 for iPad Won't Be Out Until November.

 

[corporateslave]

We are all corporate slaves!!! More More More!!!! BUY BUY BUY

 

[Mattsasa]

When will 9.7" iPad have front facing camera?

will they update it with that when they give it iOS4, or will i have to wait to christmas, or january, or april?


Edit: WOW what?

iOS 4 for iPad Won't Be Out Until November.

how do you know that?

 

[Stately]

Isn't that what they said about the 9" iPad?

Fact is that the extremely popular small A format paperback book is 8.2" on the diagonal, with a usable print area of a pinch less than 7".

And you might be surprised at the percentage of current iPad customers who think an iPad is a bit on the heavy side for extended book reading. Chalk it up to poor fitness, or whatever, but that's still a good portion of the potential purchasing population. And an iPod Touch is really on the small side for older people who need reading glasses (another HUGE and increasing portion of the population). Different customers need (or are willing to pay for) different form factors, and it's way too early to say that Apple has all the (profitable) bases covered.

Firewood, that's what haters say about every product that is released by Apple. This product is very needed because we all think differently and have different needs and wants. Earlier this year I said they were going to release several form factors of tablets that are meant for different things. This is just the beginning.

 

[MSlaw]

Eh, I would only like this if it were super cheap.

Wouldn't this be a nightmare for app developers if the resolution is different from the iPhone 4 or current iPad?

If they use a retina display and have the same number of pixels as the 9.7, it wouldn't matter. Think of it like 1080p tvs. Different sizes but the same resolution. No porting would be needed if the hardware were the same.

I'd like to see a retina display for the 9.7 though. That way it would be easier to read.

 

[Mattsasa]

will apple announce this mini ipad, during there september ipod event?

 

[TripHop]

Apple Is Telling iAd Advertisers iOS 4 Won't Be Ready For iPad Until November

iOS 4 for iPad Won't Be Out Until November.

WOW what? How do you know that?

Because that's what Apple is telling iAd advertisers. No reason to believe it will be sooner.

 

[cvaldes]

Originally Posted by TripHop:
iOS 4 for iPad Won't Be Out Until November.

how do you know that?

Steve said iOS 4 would be coming to the iPad sometime "this fall" when he gave the iOS 4 presentation earlier this year (April).

If I recall correctly, Apple gave the November timeframe guidance to the iPad Developer Program members at WWDC in June.

will apple announce this mini ipad, during there september ipod event?

No one knows.

 

[cvaldes]

If they use a retina display and have the same number of pixels as the 9.7, it wouldn't matter. Think of it like 1080p tvs. Different sizes but the same resolution. No porting would be needed if the hardware were the same.

I'd like to see a retina display for the 9.7 though. That way it would be easier to read.

I think we're still 3-4 years away from seeing a Retina Display in an iPad. First of all, it would be hideously expensive and more fundamentally, it is unlikely that part suppliers could provide Apple with enough units for the projected production quantities.

Remember, currently the suppliers are having problems supplying 3.5" Retina Displays and 9.7" IPS displays.

In any case, some of the rumor sites are reporting that the 7" iPad would have the same number of pixels (1024x768) as the larger model. There would be no change to the apps and the user interface element size (buttons, etc.) would actually be closer to that of the iPhone/iPod touch.

 

[forensick]

If the 7 inch iPad has a:

• Front facing camera
• More RAM
• Faster Processor
• Bigger Hard Drive
• Back facing camera (don't mind if it does or doesn't)
• A flash (if it has a back facing camera)
• Gyroscope

Then I'm getting it.

That makes two of us.

 

[junkster]

Fragmentation depends on resolution

If the display in both models is the same resolution, then GREAT. No worries!

Surely Apple wouldn't introduce a new resolution that developers have to design for. They've already got to account for the standard iPhone, iPhone with Retina display, and 9" iPad. New resolutions would just be a mess that would hurt everyone.

If the 7" is essentially an iPad Retina, that would be very interesting.