Apple Launching Updated iPad Air in 2014, No 12.9-Inch iPad or New iPad Mini Until 2015

[gadget123]

I am with others on this. The guy who predicts this is usually pretty accurate and an Ipad with just A8 and a finger print sensor is probably all this years Ipad will bring.

It's Ipad 3 > Ipad 4 again which is great for people who bought Ipad air as they can keep it two years. I upgrade phones yearly but tablets are better updated in longer cycles as they don't carry the same new features phones bring every update.

The only thing which surprises me is the mini one not getting a finger print sensor given the current Ipad mini was brought up to the spec of the full size Ipad. My only thinking is it can't be added to keep costs low.

I reckon a 12" Ipad will come, people will say it will be too late as Samsung will prob have a line of 12 - 15" tablets by then. Do we need a larger Ipad or larger Iphone? Given Apple have slimmed them down and the Ipad air is smaller than a Ipad 4 and most likely Iphone 6 will be slimmer then why not? Nobody will complain at a larger device if it's also smaller.

Wouldn't be surprised if all this year brings is IOS8, Apple TV and Ipad Air 2. Iwatch and Ipad Pro for 2015 I reckon.

 

[Menneisyys2]

I don't buy however that it was designed not to last long.

What I meant was the lack of RAM. Even the 32-bit Retina iPads were pretty low on memory, resulting in many crashes (as iOS, being a barebones OS, has no memory protection) and tab reloads. The 1 GB in the 64-bit ones is plain insufficient - definitely worse than the 1 GB in the iPad 3/4.

Apple was definitely aware of this when designing the new iPads. They refused to include at least another Gbyte of RAM to make it much more usable and crash less. That's either a major mistake (I doubt it as anyone would have told them 1GB is plain insufficient and RAM shortage-related problems have been widely discussed for years) or just planed obsolescence, to force 64-bit 1st-gen iPad (iPad Air / Retina Mini) users to upgrade as soon as possible.

I think the case is the latter.

 

[valanchan]

That mock-up image has always looked odd. The iPad looks too big, even given the perspective. Granted the difference in aspect ratio would make the iPad dimensions differ from the MacBook Air but the diagonal should look to be about the same. It doesn't.

A one point perspective image using the same models, but facing each other would allow the viewer a better comparison.

 

[GregAndonian]

Perhaps they are holding off on a Mini because they are going to release larger iPhones, and want to ensure there's absolutely no cannibalization?

It's incredibly difficult for me to imagine a phone being cannibalized by a tablet. You can't make a call form an iPad Mini- unless you use a bluetooth earpiece with something like Talkatone...

 

[Vodka]

Can anyone tell why ipad 12.9" on the left is larger than 13" air on the right?

 

[AppleScruff1]

What I meant was the lack of RAM. Even the 32-bit Retina iPads were pretty low on memory, resulting in many crashes (as iOS, being a barebones OS, has no memory protection) and tab reloads. The 1 GB in the 64-bit ones is plain insufficient - definitely worse than the 1 GB in the iPad 3/4.

Apple was definitely aware of this when designing the new iPads. They refused to include at least another Gbyte of RAM to make it much more usable and crash less. That's either a major mistake (I doubt it as anyone would have told them 1GB is plain insufficient and RAM shortage-related problems have been widely discussed for years) or just planed obsolescence, to force 64-bit 1st-gen iPad (iPad Air / Retina Mini) users to upgrade as soon as possible.

I think the case is the latter.

And I'm sorry to say that I agree with you. And as a consumer, that doesn't make me happy. For all the praise and glory heaped on the iPad Air, there are some major problems with it.

 

[fertilized-egg]

Can anyone tell why ipad 12.9" on the left is larger than 13" air on the right?

The perspective is pretty strong here so the Air on the far side looks smaller than it really is.

But more importantly in terms of the surface area the 12.9" iPad really islarger than the 13.3" Air due to the aspect ratio, albeit just by a hair. The 13.3" Air display is longer but the 12.9" iPad screen is taller.

It's incredibly difficult for me to imagine a phone being cannibalized by a tablet. You can't make a call form an iPad Mini- unless you use a bluetooth earpiece with something like Talkatone...

It's definitely possible to some extent. Ever since I got my iPads, I use my phones less and not as eager to upgrade my phone, not that my phone is that old but I don't use it that much simply because things are so much better on the iPad.

 

[Rad99004]

No new iPad Mini? I doubt that.

I would guess that it will be the same but with a lower price tag. I hope it will have a finger print scanner.

It makes no sense why the mini is so expensive. I think apples expectation of high margins every year is not sustainable.

 

[FrozenDarkness]

The i5 in a Surface Pro 2 can already support up to 3840 x 2160 resolution, which is more than the predicted resolution of a retina 13" mba, so what are you talking about?

That's not to say we will see a rMBA. I think Apple will drag its heels here because as much as consumers would like it they would be concerned about cannibalizing the higher margin rMBP's.

at 30hz. at 30hz.

 

[Menneisyys2]

at 30hz. at 30hz.

30 Hz is sufficient if you don't play games and aren't annoyed by the somewhat choppy mouse pointer / web page smooth-scrolling speed. For plain coding / Office work, it's sufficient.

 

[Smeaton1724]

They simply 'have' to release an updated Mini and iPad Air this year, if only to make people who have iPad 2,3,4 want to upgrade, the current Air really is not enough of an upgrade from my 4.

The changes are as easy to predict as ever:

1. New Processor (standard annual upgrade).
2. Touch ID.
3. RAM.

What I'm interested in is new Macbook Pro/Air, I think they'll integrate Touch ID and this year we'll see a huge re-design and re-alignment of laptop models.

The offering at the moment is patchy:

1. Air with poor screen
2. Air 11" I think needs a rethink
3. 13 classic macbook pro still existing
4. 13 pro not really that pro, only in screen only
5. 13 retina pro starting at 4GB only
6. 15 way out expensive with a base model with only integrated graphics
7. Overall design looking a bit dated, bezels looking huge on the air

 

[Menneisyys2]

The offering at the moment is patchy:

1. Air with poor screen
2. Air 11" I think needs a rethink
3. 13 classic macbook pro still existing
4. 13 pro not really that pro, only in screen only
5. 13 retina pro starting at 4GB only
6. 15 way out expensive with a base model with only integrated graphics
7. Overall design looking a bit dated, bezels looking huge on the air

And there's no 17" MBP...

 

[vomhorizon]

If apple does decide to enter payments this year (or next) it would make sense to take a slight profit hit and incorporate the touch-ID sensor on all touch devices including the mini..although the ipad air 2nd gen could come a few months ahead of this mini..Do a iPad air around september-october and do the new mini early 2015.

 

[carjakester]

Have you not used the 5s? Do you not use have a passcode lock on your devices? Seriously? I didn't buy the air even though our exchange rate was still good because I wanted the touch ID on my nest pad.

Yes i do have the 5s its in my signature, i also have the mini and the ipad 4 and use the smart cover to unlock, having to press my finger on the sensor to unlock would be an inconvenience and im sure that i am not the only one who feels this way.

 

[pacalis]

at 30hz. at 30hz.

For one processor that's the case, but even that supports 3200x2000 at 60 Hz.

That and, from what I know, all 4th gen support 2560x1600 at 60Hz.

 

[rowspaxe]

I don't see why they would wait another year for the 12.9" iPad. I was in my local tech shop yesterday playing with the new 12.2" Galaxy Tablet and it was very impressive. The screen was amazing and it was lighter and easier to hold than I thought it would be. No way Apple are going to give Samsung a 2 year lead on this market space.

Apple sat around and watched while big phones took off: i think there is some possibility they will do the same with tablets. I think samsung stumbled with the introduction of thier pro line: it seems like their line is now a jumble of various android and touch wiz flavors. Samsung is too committed to the pen as a navigation device, and seemingly unable to market the benefits of a digitizer.

Overall, apple remains very fortunate that they have not had to face a competent competitor in the pc or tablet space

 

[winston1236]

I would guess that it will be the same but with a lower price tag. I hope it will have a finger print scanner.

It makes no sense why the mini is so expensive. I think apples expectation of high margins every year is not sustainable.

The price for those specs are its biggest problem, for the cost of a base ipad mini ret you can get a fully loaded nexus 7 with lte and a better screen. its like apple wants to help google here.

 

[jrswizzle]

To a certain degree these rumors make sense.

(1) Apple needs to spread their releases out....if they add an iWatch, additional iPhone sizes and an iPad Pro, that would make for a VERY hectic Fall/Winter. Sure they want to get products out for the Holiday season - but I could see them wanting to spread the wealth. Moving back to a March timeframe for iPads could make sense and might be why we only see a slight iPad Air bump this year. All the Air really needs at this point is TouchID and additional RAM. Include the A8 and that's it. Could be released alongside 7.1?

(2) The retina mini needs additional fine tuning. In addition to TouchID, more RAM and the A8, I could see Apple wanting to add a better retina display as its been pointed out here (ad nauseum) the rmini displays comparably washed out colors versus the Air. Apple could discontinue the first gen mini, drop the rmini in price this year and wait for March 2015 to introduce a new and improved rMini (with A8), along with the iPad pro (and no new iPad Air).

Now this assumes they'll move to using the latest processor in the iPhone first, then moving it to the iPad - which doesn't necessarily make a ton of sense. They could of course tweak the chips to provide more power in the iPads (as they do somewhat now), or they could skip an A8 for the rMini and go straight to the A9 in 2015.

Either way, a release time frame of iPads (Mini, Air, Pro) in March, Macs in Summer and iPhones/iWatches in Fall would make a great deal of sense IMO. Software releases would be timed to coincide with the hardware as well (iOS in Fall, iOS X.1 in March, OSX in Summer).

We shall see!

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The price for those specs are its biggest problem, for the cost of a base ipad mini ret you can get a fully loaded nexus 7 with lte and a better screen. its like apple wants to help google here.

What people who make this case don't understand is no parity in specs is going to make up for the the difference I see in an iPad versus the Nexus tablets. And I've had both.

The iPad offers a superior experience IMO. Doesn't matter if the Nexus has "better specs" or is cheaper. I value the iPad's experience.

Hence why the iPad does so well.

 

[FrozenDarkness]

For one processor that's the case, but even that supports 3200x2000 at 60 Hz.

That and, from what I know, all 4th gen support 2560x1600 at 60Hz.

Just because they support it, doesn't make it tenable. I'm too lazy to check out the facts for you, there's a reason why even the surface pro runs at 1080p only

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30 Hz is sufficient if you don't play games and aren't annoyed by the somewhat choppy mouse pointer / web page smooth-scrolling speed. For plain coding / Office work, it's sufficient.

it's not sufficient for anything apple.


And just food for thought, even the current generation of macbook pro 13" has people complaining on retina resolution. I don't think you'll see a giant leap in both battery life and processing power for next gen to allow apple to bring it into a macbook air stature.

 

[paradox00]

I disagree with that. Have you seen the S4's screen? I love Apple, but there new iPhone will equal what the S4 has had for months...l

Anecdotes don't counter established trends, but I don't believe I have seen the S4's screen (or at least haven't paid any attention to it).

 

[wikiverse]

How does Kuo know what Apple is/isn't ordering?

Leaks from suppliers. Most if those companies employ dozens if not hundreds people. It only takes one.

Paying people for information isn't really anything new.

 

[StyxMaker]

I wish the iPads had an attachable keyboard cover like the Microsoft Type 2 keyboards for the Microsoft Surface tablet. I purchased the Surface 2 last Fall and have found the hardware ergonomics better than iPad; though Windows RT/Win 8.1 still sucks.

Logitech bluetooth keyboard/cover works great.

 

[pacalis]

Just because they support it, doesn't make it tenable. I'm too lazy to check out the facts for you, there's a reason why even the surface pro runs at 1080p only

Not much can be done if you're too lazy for facts, but the surface pro runs 1080p because that's the sweet spot for many things while still getting decent battery life (7+ hours at least, for a lighter device). That and running higher than that on a 10" screen is overkill. But it can still support and external display of 3200x2000 at 60Hz.

Fact is the res on a MBA sucks and it sucks for business reasons, not technical ones.

 

[naked]

Time?

Is there a release date in mind for an updated iPad Air? Needing to upgrade pretty soon, could wait till March, but not June. Help!

 

[Limboistik]

It's incredibly difficult for me to imagine a phone being cannibalized by a tablet. You can't make a call form an iPad Mini- unless you use a bluetooth earpiece with something like Talkatone...

But if your iPhone is a decent sized screen, and it can do everything the Mini can, plus make calls, I'm sure some people may not want to justify another $350 on a mini right?