Apple Constraining iPod, iPad Mini 2 and iPad Air Inventory Sent to Third-Party Retailers

[MacRumors]

Insider inventory constraint information from major retailer Target hints at some possible end of life timelines for various products like the iPod, iPad mini 2, and iPad Air, many of which may be discontinued in the near future following the launch of new products.

According to a screenshot of an internal inventory system shared by a Target employee, all models of the iPod are currently constrained by Apple ahead of a rumored update that could come as soon as tomorrow.

Images of unreleased iPod touches, nanos, and shuffles were first discovered hidden within iTunes 12.2, and a rumor has suggested the iPod touch could receive a processor upgrade and new color options while the nano and the shuffle might be available in new colorways.

As for the iPad mini 2 and the iPad Air, replenishment of existing stock is currently constrained, with Target aiming to have 1 color in stock at each of its stores. Dwindling in-store stock suggests Apple could be planning to discontinue the iPad mini 2 and the iPad Air following the release of new models, which is expected to happen in the fall.

The iPad mini 2 and the iPad Air may be replaced by the iPad mini 3 and the iPad Air 2 as lower-cost older-generation models following the launch of a third-generation iPad Air and a fourth-generation iPad mini. We haven't heard much on what a third-generation iPad Air might offer, but an A9 processor and Force Touch are solid guesses.

A fourth-generation iPad mini has been rumored to be in the works, with an iPad Air-style redesign that eliminates the mute switch and introduces larger speaker holes. An updated iPad mini would also likely incorporate a much-improved processor, more RAM, and possibly Force Touch.

It is not clear when Apple plans to introduce new iPad mini and iPad Air models, but Target's guess of fall 2015 is a safe bet. For the last several years, Apple has updated its iPad lineup in October or November, and that's when we're likely to see new iPads in 2015. This year's iPad update may include an all new model, the much-rumored larger-screened iPad Pro.

Article Link: Apple Constraining iPod, iPad Mini 2 and iPad Air Inventory Sent to Third-Party Retailers

 

[Andres Cantu]

Looks like the iPad Mini 2 will be discontinued this Fall and will be replaced by the iPad Mini 3 (there will not be a $249 iPad Mini anymore).

 

[doug in albq]

The iPad Air functions poorly on iOS 8.X, therefore this is not a huge surprise to me.

 

[Jsameds]

Get those Mini 2's before it's too late!

Dollar for dollar they're the best model of iPad Mini you can get.

 

[JustThinkin']

Get those Mini 2's before it's too late!

Dollar for dollar they're the best model of iPad Mini you can get.

Except that the iPad Mini 3 may come down to the iPad Mini 2's price. So Apple simply stops charging a premium for Touch ID and any other small adjustments made in the 3.

 

[NachoGrande]

wow it takes that long to clear out iPads now.... There is just no reason to upgrade iPads. They are internet devices not much to them....

 

[odditie]

The iPad Air functions poorly on iOS 8.X, therefore this is not a huge surprise to me.

Seriously? I must be really ignorant because my 4th Gen iPad works perfectly fine on 8.4. I've never had a moment where I felt like it didn't live up to expectations.

(that being said, not having PIP and split screen features on iOS 9 will definitely leave me wanting more)

 

[Traverse]

Higher capacity Nano!
Higher capacity Nano!
Higher capacity Nano!
Higher capacity Nano!
Higher capacity Nano!

A drop in price wouldn't hurt either, but I'll stomach $150 if I can at least get 32GB! (Though $120 or less would make my whole month).

 

[Yebubbleman]

Force a Touch being a solid guess on next iPad Air? Really, Clover? Really?

 

[redheeler]

Higher capacity Nano!
Higher capacity Nano!
Higher capacity Nano!
Higher capacity Nano!
Higher capacity Nano!

Same capacity Nano!
Same capacity Nano!
Same capacity Nano!
Same capacity Nano!
Same capacity Nano!

Said no one ever.

 

[Rogifan]

I can't see the mini 3 going from $399 to $249 so my guess is Apple will no longer offer a $249 mini but will allow Best Buy and others to discount the $299 mini 3 $249 or less. Just a few weeks ago Best Buy was selling the mini 3 for $299.

 

[LordQ]

Am I the only one here who'd love to see the iPad Air 3 with an iPhone 6 design? (seamless, continous curve).

 

[DTphonehome]

Good. Time to retire my Gen 3 iPad. Still makes a decent e-reader and movie player, but it's dog slow for web browsing.

 

[Traverse]

. They are internet devices not much to them....

Surely this is sarcasm?

 

[Traverse]

Good. Time to retire my Gen 3 iPad. Still makes a decent e-reader and movie player, but it's dog slow for web browsing.

Any JavaScript site brings it to its knees which sucks because that's 60% of my iPad usage. It still works great for PDF annotations, certain games, Office, and email though.

 

[playaproved]

Am I the only one here who'd love to see the iPad Air 3 with an iPhone 6 design? (seamless, continous curve).

I do, but at the same time I don't. This would make me upgrade my Air 2, but I really don't want to upgrade until next year at the earliest. I guess we'll see in a few months.

 

[zedsdead]

Hopefully this means they are simplifying the iPad line...it had become ridiculously convoluted since the last September release.

I have an iPad Air and have been mostly happy with it, but I love the idea of Touch ID but held off last year. I imagine there isn't much in way of a redesign happening this year either.

Apple really needs to put more into iOS to make the iPads more useful for work. There are some nice things in iOS 9 finally, but it still has a long way to go.

 

[Traverse]

Am I the only one here who'd love to see the iPad Air 3 with an iPhone 6 design? (seamless, continous curve).

I don't. I feel like the glass would be a weak point when holding it. My iPhone 6 occasionally creaks if you pick it up at on corner. I don't think the seam between the metal and glass is strong enough. Not to mention that one drop and you're screwed.

 

[Traverse]

Hopefully this means they are simplifying the iPad line...it had become ridiculously convoluted since the last September release.

I have an iPad Air and have been mostly happy with it, but I love the idea of Touch ID but held off last year. I imagine there isn't much in way of a redesign happening this year either.

Apple really needs to put more into iOS to make the iPads more useful for work. There are some nice things in iOS 9 finally, but it still has a long way to go.

They could add a folder structure, but the screen really isn't sufficient for much greater multitasking. An active digitizer would be nice.

 

[BigHonkingDeal]

The iPad Air functions poorly on iOS 8.X, therefore this is not a huge surprise to me.

I have an iPad Air running on IOS 9 and it works quiet well.....

 

[jmh600cbr]

my guess is that they will not be replacing the iPad until october so maybe its a supply issue. iPod on the other hand...a minor revision

 

[2457282]

I hope they do something with the ipod line that surprises us all and makes them relevant again. Colors and capacity are nice changes, but IMO, not enough to bring back relevance. Right now this is a dying segment for Apple. Either kill it or do something that has people actually wanting to buy them.

 

[garylapointe]

Maybe they'll announce the education discount program at the same time; it's a little late this year...

Gary

 

[Traverse]

Maybe they'll announce the education discount program at the same time; it's a little late this year...

Gary

Did those apply to iPods?

 

[TWSS37]

Except that the iPad Mini 3 may come down to the iPad Mini 2's price. So Apple simply stops charging a premium for Touch ID and any other small adjustments made in the 3.

*wipes tears from eyes, induced by uncontrollable laughter*