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Apple May Announce 9.7-Inch 'iPad Pro 2' as Early as Next Week
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If iOS hasn't meaningfully changed to take advantage of the new hardware, whats the point?
Since we're all obviously guessing here, I'm gonna add my $.02. If they were gonna introduce any actual new versions of the ipad, i.e. A 10.?" size or a real update to any of the Mac products, an event would definitely be called for. And not only is the SJ Theater not ready, the entire campus is not ready.
Now logically speaking, Apple needs to have already woken up to the fact that in the future, they are going downhill fast. They could have been working on making the existing IPP's actually able to at least begin the journey to replace PC's. If not that, put out an update that will prompt folks to upgrade/buy one of those expensive Mac's and give a little spec bump to the ipad. (all Apple is expensive but its all relative). They can make these announcements in an event at another location. Save the announcement of the iPhone 8 for debuting the new campus.
But no, Apple is going to wishy wash (being forum appropriate with word choice) and let Microsoft (for one) continue to climb higger.
Now logically speaking, Apple needs to have already woken up to the fact that in the future, they are going downhill fast. They could have been working on making the existing IPP's actually able to at least begin the journey to replace PC's. If not that, put out an update that will prompt folks to upgrade/buy one of those expensive Mac's and give a little spec bump to the ipad. (all Apple is expensive but its all relative). They can make these announcements in an event at another location. Save the announcement of the iPhone 8 for debuting the new campus.
But no, Apple is going to wishy wash (being forum appropriate with word choice) and let Microsoft (for one) continue to climb higger.
For that to happen, users need to do more with their toys. The bulk of Apple’s customers are consumers of content, not creators. Like you, everything they do can be accomplished on a smaller device or current hardware..
The iPad’s appeal is its screen size and weight. It’s the ideal format for paper-sized tasks. Hence the name… pad. People speculate that Apple envisions the iPad replacing the desktop PC. I wager that it will eventually replace the laptop instead, since those two are more similar.
iPad’s capabilities will improve only if users demand new capabilities. The processor upgrades were likely in response to gamers. The Pro model and Pencil accessory were to appease creative professionals.
iPad of all sizes rumors are a dog's breakfest this year. At this point let's just wait and see what rubber hits the road.
I really want a new mini as well. Mini2 to Mini4 at this point just doesn't seem worth the upgrade. But a Mini Pro would get my $$$.
Wow. I can't wait to choose between the iPad Mini 2, iPad Air 2, iPad Pro 9.7", iPad Pro 2 9.7", iPad Pro 10.5" and iPad Pro 12.9"!
This story really doesn't make sense. Or more precisely a Pro 9.7 2 seems redundant if there will also be a 10.5 version coming along.
I can see Apple discontinuing the Air 2 making the Pro 9.7 the new "entry" model for the middle screens. I can't see Apple having a new 9.7 and 10.5 Pro model with everything else pretty much equal.
Another possibility, rebrand the current Pro 9.7 as an Air 3. But then why not present that when you announce the other new iPads. So yeah, story makes no sense.
I can see Apple discontinuing the Air 2 making the Pro 9.7 the new "entry" model for the middle screens. I can't see Apple having a new 9.7 and 10.5 Pro model with everything else pretty much equal.
Another possibility, rebrand the current Pro 9.7 as an Air 3. But then why not present that when you announce the other new iPads. So yeah, story makes no sense.
If they have 7.9" and 9.7",they should have 9.12" and 5.10" as well. Or 51.0"? Not sure...
The only thing I can think of is that the naming convention will go to iPad and iPad Pro. The iPad will come in two sizes 7.9" and 9.7". The iPad Pro will come in 10.5" and 12.5" varieties. And what separates them will probably be more RAM and capacity, faster processors, wider color gamut screens, and Apple Pencil and Smart Connector support for the Pro models. Maybe cellular options go exclusive to Pro as well.
I can't see why they would have 9.7" and 10.5" models unless they did something like this.
I agree.
It reminds me of the Mac issue in the mid-90's that led to Apple almost going under. Not nearly as bad as the Mac issue, but the situation is similar.
I think Apple started screwing up the line up with the iPad Air. They should have stuck with just the iPad and iPad Mini. Now there are Airs, Minis, Pros, and if the rumors are right, four difference sizes. Not counting, storage or WiFi vs Cell, Apple currently sells 7 different models on their website between Airs 1, and 2, Pros, and Minis 2, 3, and 4.
Thinking the same exact thing... have fingers crossed.
I don't understand what seems like reluctance on apples part to give us a new iPad mini.
I have owned several but the mini is a perfect size for me... I just won't buy anything bigger (within reason)
The 9.7 is just too big.
I have owned several but the mini is a perfect size for me... I just won't buy anything bigger (within reason)
The 9.7 is just too big.
How long since Apple gave us any new hardware? September with iPhone 7?
It is 6 months without anything... from a company that used to attempt quarterly updates/releases. It is almost certain nothing will go on in March, but possibly April. No Macs or iPads (20% of revenue) for 1.5 years... this is an indication of managerial problems.
It is 6 months without anything... from a company that used to attempt quarterly updates/releases. It is almost certain nothing will go on in March, but possibly April. No Macs or iPads (20% of revenue) for 1.5 years... this is an indication of managerial problems.
You are forgetting about the new MBP, but I understand your point. Maybe Apple is slowly transitioning from a "hardware" company to a "services" company.
Not sure why they no longer innovate on the software side and its always new hardware. I remember Jobs used to wow us with new software. Who remembers when Safari was first released? It was like saviour from explorer. I also remember when OS X was out, it was mesmerising.
Taking several of these weird rumors into consideration, it seems like one of two things is going to happen with iPad this year.
Scenario 1
They refresh the iPad mini and 9.7" iPad as non-pro models. New mini gains spec parity with 9.7" model (A9X, trutone display, 256GB option, 4 speakers, front and rear cameras, etc), which is the current iPad Pro, while at the same time they take away the smart connector, but add the 4 microphones to the 9.7". They then release the new 10.5" and 12.9" models as the iPad Pro line, dropping that moniker designation from the 9.7" model. They are called iPad Mini 5 and iPad Air 3. This is based on the story about the model number identifiers 7,1-7,4 being seen in website logs - they correspond to iPad mini and 9,7" iPad model identifiers.
Scenario 2
They refresh as per above, but lift the new 7.9" mini up to the Pro moniker designation and give it a smart connector as well as everything else in scenario 1. They then keep on the old mini 4 and Air 2 as the budget devices while introducing 3 new Pro models and a tiny little upgrade to the 9.7" Pro in the microphones. They've done that before, remember the iPad mini 3???
As someone who is only ever going to buy a 7.9" model going forward (I have tried them all, and the mini 4 is by far the most satisfying device to use IMHO - NOT saying it should be for everyone, just my personal favorite) I would be fine with both scenarios, as I don't really care what moniker the next 7.9" iPad gets, just that it gets updated, which I am pretty confident of given that model ID story that came out earlier. Scenario 1 is much cleaner and requires less SKU's to be produced and maintained, but I'm thinking scenario 2 is much more likely, just because then the mini 4 and Air 2 can be the budget models and there is a clearer defining scheme where they can charge more for the updated models while charging less for the budget models - i.e. having mini 4 and Air 2 remain in scenario 1 would probably result in more sales of the budget models, whereas the naming scheme in scenario 2 would probably push more consumers up to the "Pro" models.
Scenario 1
They refresh the iPad mini and 9.7" iPad as non-pro models. New mini gains spec parity with 9.7" model (A9X, trutone display, 256GB option, 4 speakers, front and rear cameras, etc), which is the current iPad Pro, while at the same time they take away the smart connector, but add the 4 microphones to the 9.7". They then release the new 10.5" and 12.9" models as the iPad Pro line, dropping that moniker designation from the 9.7" model. They are called iPad Mini 5 and iPad Air 3. This is based on the story about the model number identifiers 7,1-7,4 being seen in website logs - they correspond to iPad mini and 9,7" iPad model identifiers.
- 7.9" iPad mini 5 (spec parity with Air 3 below)
- 9.7" iPad Air 3 (no changes except 4 microphones and removal of smart connector)
- 10.5" iPad Pro (New form factor/design, A10X, wide gamut trutone screen, etc etc)
- 12.9" iPad Pro (Spec parity with new 10.5" model)
Scenario 2
They refresh as per above, but lift the new 7.9" mini up to the Pro moniker designation and give it a smart connector as well as everything else in scenario 1. They then keep on the old mini 4 and Air 2 as the budget devices while introducing 3 new Pro models and a tiny little upgrade to the 9.7" Pro in the microphones. They've done that before, remember the iPad mini 3???
- 7.9" iPad mini 4
- 9.7" iPad Air 2
- 7.9" iPad Pro mini (spec parity with 9.7" Pro below)
- 9.7" iPad Pro (4 microphones added not much else! Retains current specs, A9X, etc)
- 10.5" iPad Pro (New form factor/design, A10X, wide gamut trutone screen, etc etc)
- 12.9" iPad Pro (Spec parity with new 10.5" model)
As someone who is only ever going to buy a 7.9" model going forward (I have tried them all, and the mini 4 is by far the most satisfying device to use IMHO - NOT saying it should be for everyone, just my personal favorite) I would be fine with both scenarios, as I don't really care what moniker the next 7.9" iPad gets, just that it gets updated, which I am pretty confident of given that model ID story that came out earlier. Scenario 1 is much cleaner and requires less SKU's to be produced and maintained, but I'm thinking scenario 2 is much more likely, just because then the mini 4 and Air 2 can be the budget models and there is a clearer defining scheme where they can charge more for the updated models while charging less for the budget models - i.e. having mini 4 and Air 2 remain in scenario 1 would probably result in more sales of the budget models, whereas the naming scheme in scenario 2 would probably push more consumers up to the "Pro" models.
The top two things iPad needs comes via software improvements, NOT hardware. As a result, these updates are useless.
Until Apple adds MULTIPLE USER SUPPORT and a real, true FILE MANAGEMENT SYSTEM (no iBooks, you're not it), iPad will continue as a wannabe computer, poser 2 in 1, and lackluster tablet. Simple as that.
Until Apple adds MULTIPLE USER SUPPORT and a real, true FILE MANAGEMENT SYSTEM (no iBooks, you're not it), iPad will continue as a wannabe computer, poser 2 in 1, and lackluster tablet. Simple as that.
I think it's the perfect size, too. I have read that their primary reluctance is the pricing is lower on these and they really really want to have a higher average selling price with the same volume. I think that's a failed strategy long term but it can work short term. Here is how I would have it:
iPad Air (re-branded mini)
iPad (9.7)
iPad GT (12.5")
Three lines. Treat them like car trims.