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Apple Considering Lower-Priced iPad Mini at $199-$249?
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Compete with those cheap-ass Chinese Android tablets? Why? Why would Apple need to do that?
When would Rolls Royce roll out their own Corolla?
When would Rolls Royce roll out their own Corolla?
No, I think the shuffle will be discontinued. An iWatch will take its place but at a higher price point ($79 or more). Until the iWatch debuts Apple will leave the shuffle alone and freeze it at 2GB. Or discontinue it altogether before the iWatch if they drop the nano to $99.
It doesn't really make sense to have a higher capacity iPod nano. The possible exception would be when Apple discontinues the iPod classic (which has to happen this year, I would think). When that happens they might make a ~$229-$249 iPod nano with 128GB available (if they can squeeze 128GB into that form factor). But I think it's much more likely they'd introduce a 128GB iPod touch at a higher price point to satisfy the "Pocket DJ" audience (which is not terribly big) and keep a single 16GB nano.
One possibility here is they introduce an 8GB nano at $99, dump the shuffle, and bump the $149 nano to 32GB. I could see that.
No, the 5th Generation iPod touch is getting too long in the tooth now and has to be put out to pasture. I don't think it will survive the next round.
If they drop the entry iPod touch's price I think they'll also drop the flash to 16GB.
Yes, that looks about right. That $449 touch would allow Apple to drop the iPod classic without too many people getting upset.
No way. These prices are too low. The 1st Gen isn't going below $289 unless Apple reworks its specifications to lower costs, and I don't see that happening because it would compromise the experience too much. I think the 2nd Gen iPad mini (with retina display) will start at $369 (16GB), and it'll be rather close to the iPad 3 under the hood.
Like the iPad 3, I think the iPad 4 is history as soon as the iPad 5 debuts. And the iPad 2 will be gone (I agree). The iPad mini will take over as the entry point -- an iPad 4 doesn't make sense for that mission. If you want a 10+ inch screen you'll pay $499 or more. Apple has always tried to fight for a premium for its larger screen products.
Yes, I think you're spot on. I agree the base model will get a flash bump.
I think they'll drop the cellular data premium to $100 across the line.
The iPad mini is already stripped-down. I wonder what the "iPad nano" will be like. Maybe this is the "oversized iPod touch"
Give me a break!
This isn't news, nor is it a rumor. It's just the best guess of an analyst. You should report it as such, with a headline starting "Analyst predicts...", rather than putting a lame question mark at the end.
For my two cents, I seriously doubt whether Apple will lower their product quality to reduce their price point.
This isn't news, nor is it a rumor. It's just the best guess of an analyst. You should report it as such, with a headline starting "Analyst predicts...", rather than putting a lame question mark at the end.
For my two cents, I seriously doubt whether Apple will lower their product quality to reduce their price point.
I think you misunderstood. They were talking about margins, not total revenue. The iPad mini is priced so low Apple isn't making as much profit as a percentage of the retail price as compared to most of their other products.
The competing $200 tablets are actually being sold at a loss.
I could see Apple haven't the original Mini as a cheaper model, like they are doing with the iPad 2. The question is will the iPad 2 be replaced with the next round of updates and replaced with the iPad 3 as the base model with a bigger screen?
Wasn't the same same stripped down iPad mini at lower price rumoured before the mini was even released?
Back then the only way it seemed to make sense if it wasn't a general sales product. Aimed at institutions who could buy in bulk for use in schools or kiosk uses in shops or the like. With direct and bulk sales only the margins would be improved greatly. Plastic shell would be ok for that sort of use as most would be enclosed in a second shell. Plus Apple could have collection service to make sure the plastic gets recycled.
Back then the only way it seemed to make sense if it wasn't a general sales product. Aimed at institutions who could buy in bulk for use in schools or kiosk uses in shops or the like. With direct and bulk sales only the margins would be improved greatly. Plastic shell would be ok for that sort of use as most would be enclosed in a second shell. Plus Apple could have collection service to make sure the plastic gets recycled.
I agree, this is a race to the bottom they are gradually being dragged into. Hence the need for new innovative products to create new markets with higher margins. But personally I doubt it will come with the 2 new to be announced products (watch and TV).
They need to lower the iPod touch price, its a great device but doesn't make any sense with the price point.
But price is always an issue. iPad sales tend to go up as people are still turning to tablets (meaning it's their first tablet they buy). But, just like smartphones, when everyone that can afford it has bought one, sales growth will go down more and more. And then price will make the difference.
I hope they don't kill the iPod Touch. If you think about it as a 4" tablet and not an iPhone without telephony, it is the only tablet that could be described as pocketable. My iPod Touch goes with me everywhere, my iPad doesn't get out much. If I had an iPad mini it probably would go out with me that often either.
