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'Almost Bezel-Free' Redesign for iPad Mini Coming, but Still No Retina Until Early 2014?

sulpfiction said:
I'm sure apple realizes the potential problem u point out. So if they did release a "near bezeless" iPad, that problem would be addressed.
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You mean like they did when they designed the iPhone 4 antenna? ;)

But trimming the bezel is a lot more apparent, so yes, I'm sure IF Apple released a reduced sized bezel iPad mini Apple would make sure it passed an ergonomics test. My point is that I think this story is bogus. I don't think such an animal is near.

I understand a "virtual" bezel is possible but implementation of it wouldn't be easy since it needs to be incorporated into apps. And then after devs to that Apple pushes out a Retina mini and devs have to update all over again. Too much too fast. I think if Apple was going to test out the virtual bezel they'd start with the 10" iPad.
 
ctdonath said:
Improved gesture recognition could obviate that problem. An elongated prolonged stationary "touch" on an edge is probably just a "holding device" gesture, so ignore it vs other small rapid touches elsewhere. Not hard.

Can also create "virtual bezel" regions. Rather than shrinking the device, extend the active area to existing edges (I've no issues with the size of the current iPad, may as well make it all active display), then - as needed by the app - define edge regions as touch-ignoring "virtual bezel" space. Thus retain the benefits of current bezel, while making that space more interesting (not just static black or white) and available for apps demanding more screenspace without having to change device size.

I'm looking forward to a bezel-less device.
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Yes, virtual bezel is both easy to implement in software (if you just fully turn off a sliver of the side, more difficult if you want to recognize certain touches) and optimal. It is easy enough for the user to learn to not use a sliver of each side as part of the touch screen.
 
Anandtech reported when the iPad Mini came out why a retina display would be pretty far off for the mini. First the display would require ~30% more battery power due to the high density, but also because the PPI would have to be higher than the iPad 4. It is a cost issue at the moment and the extra battery weight would affect the design.
 
Chupa Chupa said:
You mean like they did when they designed the iPhone 4 antenna? ;)

But trimming the bezel is a lot more apparent, so yes, I'm sure IF Apple released a reduced sized bezel iPad mini Apple would make sure it passed an ergonomics test. My point is that I think this story is bogus. I don't think such an animal is near.

I understand a "virtual" bezel is possible but implementation of it wouldn't be easy since it needs to be incorporated into apps. And then after devs to that Apple pushes out a Retina mini and devs have to update all over again. Too much too fast. I think if Apple was going to test out the virtual bezel they'd start with the 10" iPad.
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I think the OS would just override the App. So unlikely to need an update to the App initially. Besides were are just talking about a few millimeters on the sides. That area seems to me to be rarely used as controls are usually on top and bottom. And where controls are used they would probably be bigger than the "off" zone.
 
dampfnudel said:
Well, I think Apple would suggest this. Buy the iPad 5, enjoy it for a few months. Next year, get the retina iPad mini and do one of the following:

1) Keep using the iPad 5 as your "couch device" and your new retina iPad mini as your "cafe device", something that compliments your iPhone on the go (at the cafe, on the train/plane, on vacation/holiday, etc)

2) Trade in your iPad 5.

3) Give your iPad 5 to a family member, perhaps with sharing benefits ;)

That's what I'm considering. Definitely First World Problems.
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No, here's what Apple would suggest:

1) Buy them all

:D
 
Gemütlichkeit said:
Came in to post almost exactly this. C'mon apple wtf!

They're acting like it's not possible??
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It's a business decision. Margins, current price of parts, cannibalization of full-size iPad etc. We all know they could release one now, but is it a smart business decision?

If anything all these latest rumors of a no-retina version of the next Mini haven't turned me off at all about getting excited to get one. If they can make it faster, thinner/lighter and have a better camera I would be very happy. I'm getting sick of my iPad 2, too bulky and I always love using the girlfriends Mini.
 
_

----------

Quote:
Originally Posted by RoccoFan
Apple to iPad mini customers and potential customers:

Sorry, we ran out of vaseline.
----------------------------------------
hugo7 said:
Er, what?
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I apologize if you found my comment to be too esoteric.
Feel free to substitute your lube of choice.
 
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Who gives a crap if it's bezel free? It's not as if I want my thumb covering the words, and actually, the eye likes some white space around the words to give the words their own space. Fine, give me retina, give me lighter, give me different size screens to choose from if you want, but a thinner bezel? Really not a draw for me.
 
Rogifan said:
This makes no sense to me. Why release an updated iPad mini in the fall if a new one will be coming out in early 2014? Unless Apple is moving to 6 month product cycles?
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Maybe they would have liked to be able to have the retina version ready by Oct-Nov, but panel supply issues have prevented that. The fall updated version may nip perceived stagnation in the bud, and allow APPLE to capitalize on that important holiday shopping season.

After all, even APPLE doesn't want to lose any market share, if they can help it.

Rogifan said:
Why would someone buy a non-retina mini this fall if the rumors were a retina version would be available the following spring?
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You and I probably wouldn't, but you'd be surprised how many people don't read rumor sites.
 
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I don't know. I probably use my mini more than my regular iPad because of the thinness and lightness. However, I'd be hard pressed to upgrade it without a retina display. With competitors like Google and Samsung including 1080p displays in their small tablets, I don't see why Apple can't do this. They'd have to have a really kill feature or two in order for me to buy new one without a retina display.
 
Got my iPad mini at Christmas and I love it! I definitely prefer this size over the full sized iPad which feels like too much of a laptop replacement. My only wish is that it had Retina. I was keen for it to last me at least a year so I'm happy waiting for early next year for a Retina one. And the bezeless design sounds I intriguing!
 
Well this is just following Apple's recent pattern, take away what you want and need or not add it at the expense of 'thinness' and 'design aesthetics'. Meanwhile my Nexus 7 has a higher res, Samsung had two 8" tablets with higher res, it's entirely possible the next Nexus 7 and Kindle Fire HD 7" tabs will have MUCH higher res screens.

Nope still this this non retina rumour is BS.
 
they should reduce the bezel, that's good, but they should never eliminate the bezel, our fingers would hide the sides of the screens when we'll hold the device
 
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