I think this is completely accurate, not crazy at all. A device like the iPad Mini is a huge threat to the smartphone market, especially to phablets. A lot of people now realize that they don't care about actual phone call functionality and would take a device that has LTE data only over a full (more expensive) phone. A lot of people might even be happy with wifi only and just tethering to an old phone (or not at all).
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Apple Announces iPad Mini 3 With Touch ID Home Button, Gold Color Option
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I think this is completely accurate, not crazy at all. A device like the iPad Mini is a huge threat to the smartphone market, especially to phablets. A lot of people now realize that they don't care about actual phone call functionality and would take a device that has LTE data only over a full (more expensive) phone. A lot of people might even be happy with wifi only and just tethering to an old phone (or not at all).
Well... it's pretty obvious Apple is no longer interested in the smaller tablet market now, they don't want to damage their iPhone 6 Plus sales I guess? The new Nexus 9 comfortably beats this iPad IMO but I would say that's what Apple wants? Because it wants to sell the new 6 Plus more.
It did for me. I fully intended to order the newest iPad mini immediately, but the keynote today changed my mind. I ordered a refurbished 128gb iPad Mini 2 today for $160 less than a 128gb iPad Mini 3 will cost. It just makes more sense for me. I feel like I got an awesome deal.
Well the thing is, it's not my job to "send a message" to Apple. You see this attitude everywhere whenever anyone is disappointed in what a company does, "oh you'll just lap up any of their rubbish, and people like you validate them by just lapping it up" blah de blah (when it comes to Apple, it's usually coming from the Android crowd, but it does also come from disappointed Apple followers as well). It's purely my responsibility to made a decision that is right for me - I'm not some kind of crusader fighting for computer justice. We're geeks. Apple could not give a toss about us or our opinions - they're interested in the everyday consumer. (You know, the people who say "A8? Isn't that a road in Scotland?")
It is definitely a dilemma though. I'm in the market for a jacket pocket sized tablet with iOS on it. And um... yeah, this is my choice, or wait another year. Not really sure what to do.
Price drop on the Mini 2 and Mini 1 though. So... Now you can get a Mini with retina for only $299. That's a steal. And $249 if you don't need a retina screen. That's actually quite amazing.
For me, I really want TouchID, but not for $100... So it looks like I just snagged a retina iPad Mini with LTE for $429? Hell of a deal.
For me, I really want TouchID, but not for $100... So it looks like I just snagged a retina iPad Mini with LTE for $429? Hell of a deal.
They've been working on the iPad Mini 3 for more than a couple weeks. The decision to use an A7 instead of A8 was made long before the iPhone 6 was released.
Most of us saw this coming. Apple has gone back to having the iPad Mini be the lower-end device. They're making up for on the lower margins last year. Next year it will probably get an A8 and the iPad Air will get the A9X. They've gone back to the model of having the iPad Air be the clear flagship model. I just wish they would offer the option, even if it costs more.
Gold... thinner... a bit faster... a slightly better camera... touch ID..."wowwww"
Another year passes, another Apple event calmly confirms why I don't buy into this over-priced consumer marketing trap, with these superficial, mediocre reasons to buy bland looking products with no discernable difference from the last 3 gens.
I'd buy a Surface Pro 3 before I bought one of these, and that ain't happening soon, I can tell ya (due to the cost), and I respect and admire Apple a lot in many ways... but Windows 10 is just around the corner, and there's more to life than Apple Apple, iThis & iThat.
Apple is great...... but theres LOTS more great outside Apple
Another year passes, another Apple event calmly confirms why I don't buy into this over-priced consumer marketing trap, with these superficial, mediocre reasons to buy bland looking products with no discernable difference from the last 3 gens.
I'd buy a Surface Pro 3 before I bought one of these, and that ain't happening soon, I can tell ya (due to the cost), and I respect and admire Apple a lot in many ways... but Windows 10 is just around the corner, and there's more to life than Apple Apple, iThis & iThat.
Apple is great...... but theres LOTS more great outside Apple
What happen to "it's been way too long?"
I don't own any iPad but I said this year I will buy a new iPad mini 3 so I waited to see what happen to day before I buy and the mini 3 and it is not worth the money, it's only touch ID. It seems like the better value is the iPad Air 2.
Now I need to decided if I want the iPad Air 2 (maybe too big) or last yrs iPad mini 2 w/ Retina.
I don't own any iPad but I said this year I will buy a new iPad mini 3 so I waited to see what happen to day before I buy and the mini 3 and it is not worth the money, it's only touch ID. It seems like the better value is the iPad Air 2.
Now I need to decided if I want the iPad Air 2 (maybe too big) or last yrs iPad mini 2 w/ Retina.
I'm also very disappointed in the lack of iPad mini update today. The very least they could do is fix the color gamut issue which they didn't. I really hope they're not planning to phase out the mini because of the iPhone 6 plus. They are nowhere near being the same device.
Anyway, they won't be getting any money from me this year. I'm sure others will do the same and Apple will interpret it as "oh see noone is buying the iPad mini anymore so let's discontinue it..."
::sigh::
Edit: I forgot to mention that I did submit feedback to Apple expressing my disappointment. Maybe if enough iPad mini fans do the same they will listen for next year.
Anyway, they won't be getting any money from me this year. I'm sure others will do the same and Apple will interpret it as "oh see noone is buying the iPad mini anymore so let's discontinue it..."
::sigh::
Edit: I forgot to mention that I did submit feedback to Apple expressing my disappointment. Maybe if enough iPad mini fans do the same they will listen for next year.
And gold! And the ability to purchase >32 GB models!
Hell, if you don't give a rats ass about TouchID, save $50, and get a 32 GB mini 2. Twice the storage as the base mini 3, but cheaper.
You shouldn’t see this as a cause, that’s not what I wanted to convey. If you think the iPad Mini 3 is worth your money, then there is nothing wrong with that. But I don’t like to see people bitterly buying Apple products for lack of better alternatives. The iPad Mini 3 is a pretty obvious attempt at maximising profits and even though you may not care about that, you are still supporting Apple and giving them the message that this is OK.
I know that this must be frustrating if you were holding out for an iPad Mini, but it shouldn’t rob you of your common sense if you know that this price is closer to a rip-off than a fair deal. I think the iPad Mini 2 is a much better deal. Touch ID is only really useful on a device that you unlock hundreds of times a day and Apple Pay probably won’t really take off for at least six months or longer. Touch ID is probably less useful for the iPad.
That is true, it's not ok, so if you buy it your telling them it's ok for them to cheat you out of your money.
I'm seriously thinking of a refurbished iPad mini 2 w/ retina or I may just get the iPad air 2. I was really holding out on the touch ID for the mini but can't bring myself to pay $100.00 just for that feature alone. crazy.
I'm seriously thinking of a refurbished iPad mini 2 w/ retina or I may just get the iPad air 2. I was really holding out on the touch ID for the mini but can't bring myself to pay $100.00 just for that feature alone. crazy.
Dang, dang, dang!! This is a screwup Apple! I was all set to upgrade to a third gen mini, but nope, ain't worth it.
Bingo! I didn't think of that but now that you mentioned it, I guess mini is now destined to be a generation behind its siblings
The Reason Why
The mini was short-changed so they can steer demand toward the better upgraded and more expensive machine (Air2). Once those sales begin to dwindle, they will introduce an upgraded mini during mid-cycle, Apr/May.
I was wanting a Mini retina with an improved camera.
The mini was short-changed so they can steer demand toward the better upgraded and more expensive machine (Air2). Once those sales begin to dwindle, they will introduce an upgraded mini during mid-cycle, Apr/May.
I was wanting a Mini retina with an improved camera.
But the percentage drop on the Retina Mini was a bigger price drop. On a model that very recently topped consumer satisfaction ratings, so was no slouch.
Those of you not impressed with the new iPad Mini, check out the new Nexus 9 instead. It is going to be a SOLID tablet! More storage for less money too.
http://www.google.com/nexus/9/
http://www.google.com/nexus/9/
Sorry, not interested in Android. If I wanted an Android, I would have bought one and not be in this thread right now.
Android, pffffffft. Get out.
Problem is it's not "connected" to all my data/iCloud for syncing. This is super important to me and exactly what Apple's goal is. I'm all up in the ecosystem. But lack of the Mini update means I'm not buying a new iPad this year at all. I'm super bummed. The original Mini will have to do. I'd rather wait until the next cylce to see if this is a segment they are going to kill off. If it is, I'll weigh my options then.
But they would have anticipated eventual supply shortages too. You can't develop a mass-produced device without considering supplies. Perhaps it was indeed a risk they didn't want to take, knowing that there would be strong demand for the new iPhones and iPad Air.
I for one am sick of this race to paper thinness...... I'm not interested in either of the new iPads...... Now if they would of announced the 12" pro THAT would be a different story. Major underwhelming "upgrade" for the mini.