Apple Said to Have Developed 7-Inch iPad Alongside Current Model

[DELLsFan]

blah blah blah blah ... Apple thinks you don't want a 7" iPad blah blah blah

Hey Loop people, the rumor goes beyond size. All other things equal, a 7" iPad with similar specs and comparable design to the current iPad, your pabulum predictions about Apple might be valid ... but all other things are not rumored to remain equal!

7" + Retina Display + Micro/Mini USB + Camera + more memory + better processor = totally new and superior iPad. It's very exciting to folks like me who prefer to invest in refined, 2nd generation or greater products from Apple. This plus, it will fit quite nicely below the dashboard running Navigon's GPS app.

 

[Laird Knox]

Obvious, they had to get their ass in gear if RIM is coming out with a small tablet computer (that in terms of specs, also kicks their ass).

I just hope they make this iPad a little more powerful and not overprice it like the old one.

Isn't the playbook supposed to kick the iPad's ass in terms of price as well? Something close to $1000 for an unsubsidized 7" model?

 

[Dr Kevorkian94]

they should work on a better revised version on the one they have now, i have the current model and its awesome but they could defiantly make it better.

 

[HLdan]

Isn't the playbook supposed to kick the iPad's ass in terms of price as well? Something close to $1000 for an unsubsidized 7" model?

And how is $1000 a price point that kicks the iPads ass?

 

[BuzzMega]

Ergonomics

After playing with the iPad for six months, I'd say they picked the right ergonomic factor in Round One. It has the clipboard size needed for a sort of social authority, yet it requires little planning to store in luggage, camera bags of professional size, etc.

No doubt pad-computers will be smaller/bigger in the future, sprouting cameras, dual cameras, 3D cameras even, deeper/wider wireless data feeds and longer battery life.

Where the iPad shines is the complete intuitiveness of its operation. That has to be a sticking point for other tablet designers. It's not so much the physical device, it's the working with it.

 

[japanime]

It's probably only a matter of time until a seven-inch iPad is released. Maybe when the second- or third-generation models are announced.

 

[SandynJosh]

A 7-incher is useless because it doesn't fit in a pocket.

I thought I wanted a 7-incher until I actually got an iPad.

Now I think it's too small (for PDF). But already since the announcement I think it's too heavy (get rid of the aluminium).

The weight's in the battery, not the case. To carry a 7" device in one's pocket needs clothing designers to respond so it doesn't make you look like you are carrying a pocket full of steel ball bearings.

Apple released six versions of the iPad and by now have a very good idea of which models people buy the most of. I can see Apple thinning down the model choices within the next 6 months and maybe that would be a good time to slip in two or three mini iPads of 7" size that have the same form factor and pixel count of the original iPad so they can offer a 7" with 30,000 apps from day one... that'll cool the competitor's jets.

 

[SandynJosh]

Isn't the playbook supposed to kick the iPad's ass in terms of price as well? Something close to $1000 for an unsubsidized 7" model?

Hahaha!!! Of course it will be unsubsidized because it is only going to be wi-fi.

They expect to sell a totally touch screen device to their customer base that are totally used to pounding away on tiny-*ssed keyboards. HELLO??? Anybody home?? There's a total disconnect between how the two devices interface with the user. Why not jump ship and keep buying the iPad that already has big business sucked into its vortex.

Too little, too late, too behind the app curve....

 

[jc46]

Why would anyone want a 7 inch ipad?

The only question is: WHY the heck would someone want to buy a 7-inch iPad when there are already 2 Apple-produced multitouch devices with 3.5 and 9 inches? To fit it in cargo pockets?

This rumor makes absolutely no sense in terms of market segmentation; I call it pure BS.

I would like one to use around the house to control the tv, stereo, lights and I could go on and on. We have a couple of 9 inch iPads and they are fine, but just a little too bulky. Also have iPhones and iTouches and they are just a little too small.... 7 inch iPad... Just right!

 

[firewood]

Do you think they will make the iPad even less powerful with a smaller screen?

Compared to next years model of 9" iPad, Yes. The 9" can hold a bigger battery, and thus not under-clock the processor(s), like the iPhone 4 A4 does currently, and/or even contain more cores in the future. If there is a 7" iPad, it will likely be underclocked compared to next years 9" model, to help with battery life. And differentiate the products.

 

[duction]

id buy one! ipad is too large to whip-out when u need it. the smaller size will be alot better.

mind you - i use my iphone as a browser now, i just cba to boot up my laptop for 10 mins surf time.

bring it on !!!

 

[SandynJosh]

Yeah, but the current sizes in laptops offer more or less power than the others. Do you think they will make the iPad even less powerful with a smaller screen? I don't think they would want to do that at all. That's the main selling points behind the different sized MacBooks and iMacs. The bigger it is, the better it is. I don't think this is a good move on Apple's part if they do that with iPads. Otherwise, what really is the benefit of a smaller screen? I know my argument is pretty crappy, but it's just why I think Apple won't make a 7" device.

Yeah, your argument is pretty crappy. The iPad doesn't do HALF of what the iPhone can do with it's teensy tiny screen.

While we are all spouting off about Apple and a 7" screen, let's not forget where the rest of the industry was 9 months ago when we saw all kinds of form factors being shown off at CES as products about to hit the market in 2010. Not ONE of those products was shipped, and the various companies that shot their wad last January have been totally silent since then.

 

[CFreymarc]

The only question is: WHY the heck would someone want to buy a 7-inch iPad when there are already 2 Apple-produced multitouch devices with 3.5 and 9 inches? To fit it in cargo pockets?

This rumor makes absolutely no sense in terms of market segmentation; I call it pure BS.

Simple, not as much margin as the 9.5" unit. The 7" iPad will sell very well and my guess is the entry MSRP will be right around $350. If this gets out in time for Christmas season, the little dwarf / me-too tablets are road kill ending up in India by the summer at cost.

 

[E.Lizardo]

The only question is: WHY the heck would someone want to buy a 7-inch iPad when there are already 2 Apple-produced multitouch devices with 3.5 and 9 inches? To fit it in cargo pockets?

This rumor makes absolutely no sense in terms of market segmentation; I call it pure BS.

Why have 4 iPod models?Why didn't Goldilocks like the other two beds?Looks like some people think 7 inches is"just right".Personally I have an iPhone.and my iPad seems the right size for me,but then it rarely leaves the house.

 

[alexkhan2000]

I think the 7" version makes a lot of sense. Some people will like it and some people won't. Why do the ones who think they won't like it get all wound up over it? It just becomes another choice. Nobody said it will replace the current 9.7" size. I've heard some current iPad owners say that they'd like a larger one like 11" or even 13". I have a feeling that the current size will become the "midsize" model and that there'll be the smaller 7" and something even larger.

 

[hleewell]

Unlike many manufacturers like Samsung, Nokia, Motorola, LG which produce all kinds of crazy products for what they perceive as providing infinite no of solutions to the consumers with wildly different form factors seemingly without any concept of self-cannibalization, Apple has followed a strict rule regarding product differentiation. Too strict, I say. This will boost their margin tremendously without having to expand their market share significantly. But I feel that a 7" tablet can be as successful as the 9.7". When I first bought iPod Touch, I can't get over the fact you can have "internet in your hand." Full internet browsing is incredibly swift & intuitive. And that swiping action is just incredibly addictive. I knew then what I wanted, and still do today: a larger screen iPod Touch/iPhone. The iPad seems to be the closest thing to a solution but it is way too bulky for it to be a portable device& it weighs a bit too much after more than 15 minutes of handling it. Folks in medical services, visual artists, photographers will find the large screen very helpful with their tasks (that youtube demo for iPad app called SketchBook Pro is jaw-dropping -do a search for it), for the 90% of casual media consumers, they wish for a lighter, smaller iPad - with SD card reader please.

PS - On another completely different topic: they could reduce the width of the bezel around the screen. Thinner is sexier. Why can't they just take the screen of the current 13" MacBook Pro, attach the battery+electronics in the back, and call it iPad?

 

[joueboy]

Wirelessly posted (Mozilla/5.0 (iPhone; U; CPU iPhone OS 4_1 like Mac OS X; en-us) AppleWebKit/532.9 (KHTML, like Gecko) Version/4.0.5 Mobile/8B117 Safari/6531.22.7)

I am not looking forward for the 7" iPad. The only reason that holding me back from getting the iPad are the following, it's a first generation, something that I learned from iPhone and no front facing camera. If the second generation has the front facing camera for FaceTime count me in. I'm very confident that 2nd gen iPad will have this feature and it might exceed my expectations too.

 

[Glideslope]

Wow, what a surprise. Who would have known?

 

[Les Kern]

This one and the rev 2 iPad better damn well have a camera in it. I can live without Flash, and do quite nicely, but I am tired of having to transfer pics from the somewhat lousy camera on my 3Gs.

 

[OceanView]

Bring it!
The more choices the better.

 

[transmaster]

Well.....

The only question is: WHY the heck would someone want to buy a 7-inch iPad when there are already 2 Apple-produced multitouch devices with 3.5 and 9 inches? To fit it in cargo pockets?

This rumor makes absolutely no sense in terms of market segmentation; I call it pure BS.

I agree Apple is not going to bring out a 7 inch iPad at least in the near future. But there are rivals available right now. I am not saying these are better then an iPad but you can see what you can purchase right now, and note the price. This is direct from China. go here:

http://www.chinavasion.com/product_info.php/pName/mypad-windows-smartphone-with-5-inch-touch-screen/

http://www.chinavasion.com/product_...0-windows-mobile-65-phone-with-5-inch-screen/

http://www.chinavasion.com/hot-products/7mid-with-android-16-systerm/

 

[THX1139]

The only question is: WHY the heck would someone want to buy a 7-inch iPad when there are already 2 Apple-produced multitouch devices with 3.5 and 9 inches? To fit it in cargo pockets?

This rumor makes absolutely no sense in terms of market segmentation; I call it pure BS.

I would prefer a 7" iPad over the 9", so I guess that makes you wrong.

 

[BVeritas]

Bring it!
The more choices the better.

Totally agree. Personally the 7 inch form factor is the right one for me. If it has the retina display the pixels will be the same as the larger version. I do a lot of reading and want something about novel size. Choice is good and each of us have different needs.

 

[rowspaxe]

ipad submarkets

there appear to be 2 emerging tablet submarkets: full size media consumption (reader, video, pdf) vs "on the go" super smartphone/gameconsole. I don't play games--but the 7" size seems a more natural game size--and games drive a lot of development. Other competitive form factors may emerge--my apple ipad case could easily be engineered into a super flexible laptop/tablet--I am surprised apple did not develop more interesting ipad peripherals. Can any say the ipad dock is an elegant solution: its radio shack technology. It will also be interesting to see if apple makes more of an effort to support stylus input--notes, drawing--on the next version.

 

[drumrobot]

The 3.5" screen is too small for my middle aged eyes.
The 9.7" device is way too big for a go everywhere device. If I have to carry it under my arm or bring along a bag to carry it in, it'll stay home 99% of the time. Knowing that I didn't bother buying one.

I'm waiting for something small enough to fit in my coat pocket that offers a more rich user experience than the iPhone and the kind of low cost data plans available for the iPad.

...and you would carry a 7" tablet in your coat pocket?
When speaking in terms of diagonal measures, 2.7 inches really isn't that much of a difference, but (in my opinion) 7 inches is probably too large to carry in a pocket as well.