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Apple Planning for 7.85-Inch 'iPad Mini' with IGZO Display Later This Year?
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eh
Maybe. If I had to guess, I see something like this replacing iPodTouch.
But then again, what the hell do I know
Maybe. If I had to guess, I see something like this replacing iPodTouch.
But then again, what the hell do I know
Am I missing something here?
Apple make a nice profit on the iPad, If they did make a 7" model, which would be a little cheaper to make, case, screen etc, then it would cost them less to make.
They could decide to take less profit, and regard this as well worth it to get people on a lower budget into Apples ecosystem. After all getting customers into Apple's line of products is much more important in the long run than the odd $50 or $100 dollar profit on a low end device.
If many kids were bought them as children as they were a lot cheaper and could be afforded, perhaps multiple purchases, then those kids may grow up to buy iMacs etc, and all the software that makes Apple money also.
Look at is as almost a loss leader to get people into the store if you like.
Also.
Is there any reason why they could not just scrap the iPod Touch line and replace this with the 7" iPad instead?
Apple make a nice profit on the iPad, If they did make a 7" model, which would be a little cheaper to make, case, screen etc, then it would cost them less to make.
They could decide to take less profit, and regard this as well worth it to get people on a lower budget into Apples ecosystem. After all getting customers into Apple's line of products is much more important in the long run than the odd $50 or $100 dollar profit on a low end device.
If many kids were bought them as children as they were a lot cheaper and could be afforded, perhaps multiple purchases, then those kids may grow up to buy iMacs etc, and all the software that makes Apple money also.
Look at is as almost a loss leader to get people into the store if you like.
Also.
Is there any reason why they could not just scrap the iPod Touch line and replace this with the 7" iPad instead?
Well they are hoping if they keep repeating basically the same thing year after year eventually they will be right.
that said, they won't. Apple has gone on record saying they are NOT doing a smaller iPad. So if they do anything it will be a bigger iPod. Some folks will say that's just semantics but for developers it really isn't since a bigger iPod would be able use current iPod apps via scaling but iPad apps will have to be rewritten.
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What you are missing is that the current 7 inch tablets are all a bust. They have few sales, many complaints and returns and basically no mind share. The 10 inch iPad is already kicking their collective butts so why would Apple spend the time and effort to make something they feel would be substandard to compete with something they are already beating with the current products
In what way is the Kindle Fire a bust? It's one of the best reviewed tablets in the world.
Apple already spent a great deal of effort making the 10 inch iPad THE education item. And it's working, why do anything else. Because the other boys are? Because it would be cheaper to buy? Two reasons Apple has never listened to for doing anything. Just because Steve is dead doesn't mean they will automatically change tactics because they can. That the new Macbook Pros feel like something Steve would totally approve of (including not including those blu-ray drives Steve hated) suggests that they are basically continuing Steve's Ways because they agree with the logic even though they have the power to go a different route
So you walk into Walmart and see the Nexus 7 or new Kindle Fire selling for $199 and the iPad mini for $299. Which would you buy? I bet most of the people walking in off the street would buy the Nexus or Kindle and Apple knows this. $199 is at the right price for most people to buy the item without thinking real hard on it, but $299 is over that threshold. That's why I don't think we will see a mini, even if I'd like to have one. It just isn't in Apple's nature to compete on price. They have always been about pay more for better quality. Ironic - I'm looking at the MacRumors reply page and what is at the top, an ad for the Nexus 7. Just my opinion for what it's worth.
It has no fruit logo on it therefore it MUST be bust
You wait, when they launch the Fire in Europe, Apple will loose sales and market share. I know several people myself who would rather have a smaller sized device.
No it isn't. iPad sales have gone up week after week even with the Fire out there. The market share percent went down because the total units went up, nothing more or less.
And there are scads of reports of folks returning their Fire for anything else, most often an iPad.
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12-16 hours a day six days a week with a 10 inch iPad in my hand basically the whole time.
Just because you can't do it doesn't mean it can't be done
Proof????...... especially the part where you state they spend over double the price for an iPad.
Relative to a MBA 13" the iPad is small/light.
Relative to an iPhone/Touch the iPad is large/heavy.
The iPad is about 650-660 grams . the Kindle Fire/Nook Tablet/Nexus 7 are 413 , 399, 340 grams respectively. Relatively close to half the weight. If you hold them with one hand for 15 mins that would make a noticeable difference.
While the 7" tablet doesn't fit the "small enough for my tight jeans pocket" metric neither does the iPad. It may not work so great for spreadsheets, but with higher dpi screens photos , video, ebooks and many games work just about as well at this size.
One common way Apple presents the iPad use is with it resting on a lap , on desk , or on something else rather than being held freely.
Reviews and sales are NOT the same thing.
Amazon announces sales of the Kindle line up, but not the Fire specifically. During the month of December it was something like 1 million Kindles a week and then dropped to like a quarter of that after the holidays. Supposed the Fire was the top selling model but we have no idea how many actual units were sold. Or returned as folks found out thinks like they can't log out of their Prime account or nothing works and there was no password input or parental controls and so on.
there have been post after post on all sorts of blogs about how crappy the Fire actually is and how folks were returning it within days of getting it. Telling their friends and family not to bother etc.
There have even been rumors that Amazon is talking about making a 10 inch model to compete with the iPad.
THAT is what makes it a bust.
Some people get their sense of validation and self-worth based on their Apple product purchases.
Think of those people's morale before you thoughtlessly purchase a 7" tablet, please.
Kindle Fire returns are mainly due the Andriod 2.3 and locked to Amazon eco system, Nexus 7 Will change that ...
That goes both ways. Just because YOU think that a 7 inch tablet would be awesome doesn't mean that the majority agrees with you or that Apple simply has to do it to keep you happy.
Perhaps everyone does not live in your wealthy universe and perhaps has a limited budget for "what in effect is" a toy they don't really need.
Perhaps they have 3 children and looking to buy them gifts for Christmas but $1200 is way WAY over their budget.
Hey, why does Ford make cars, we should just all go out and buy a Rolls Royce as it's better.
So you are saying a 7" iPad, in your eyes, would be just as rubbish as a 7" device from a different maker of tablets are you?
You've not provided a single source for you allegations. Kindle makes a great product in the Fire. Especially for the price. I know numerous people who has one that love. People can finally afford a tablet that otherwise wouldn't be able to. That's not a bad thing.
Sources are your friend though.
thats their job though
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i can see why people would want a smaller iPad, its the reason why i bought a kindle (easier to carry, hold etc for reading) even though i already owned an iPad
think about that:
- SJ said he wants to change the way kids use textbooks
- Apple has an educational sales channel
- and now there is a rumored 8" iPad
This 8" iPad could have a very light and cheap case (plastic) maybe with some rubber on the edges to make it more robust and is only sold to schools. It would be lighter, smaller, cheaper and would not cannibalise regular iPad sales. Kids usually have better eyes so the smaller UI isn't an issue.
j.
- SJ said he wants to change the way kids use textbooks
- Apple has an educational sales channel
- and now there is a rumored 8" iPad
This 8" iPad could have a very light and cheap case (plastic) maybe with some rubber on the edges to make it more robust and is only sold to schools. It would be lighter, smaller, cheaper and would not cannibalise regular iPad sales. Kids usually have better eyes so the smaller UI isn't an issue.
j.
Not sure where you are, but most places worldwide governments are strapped for cash. That is one reason why Apple is selling "last year's" iPad. They needed to move down on price to get more education locations to adopt. At 7" they can sell "this year's" model not last year's ( or two years ago model. I doubt retina display is coming to the "last year's model" price point next year. For example, the iPhone 3GS is still for sale.).
