Apple to Release Thinner Fifth-Generation iPad and Retina iPad Mini in Last Three Months of 2013

[calvol]

Had my ipad 2 for over 2 years now and still going strong. I would love the new form factor but other than having something shiny and new, I can't seem to convince myself to buy another

Me too, love my iPad2, think I'll keep it unless the new iPad5 is lighter and has better battery life.

 

[xNYMetsx]

I don't care, as long as the iPad Mini has 1GB memory. IT'S ALL THAT MATTERS.

Seriously, 512MB memory will get in the way of long term usage of iPad come iOS 9, 10 and beyond. Pixelization isn't that bad in that size (I've seen it enough), and I'd rather take A6 over Retina if I have to choose.

Oh yeah, that's right. No way the iPad Mini will be able to handle the newer versions of iOS.

 

[paul4339]

I won't not until android gets real tablet apps. But I do expect: 329, retina, and an A6X at the very least. I'm more in line for the full-sized iPad tho.

...

The price will likely remain at $329 although I'd love to see it drop to $299. Yes still $70 more, but the 4x3 aspect ratio and larger screen is worth it. Give it more RAM, and 10 hour battery life.

My guess is that they will increase the price to $349-$379 if they put in a retina display. (it'll be great if they kept it the same or lower, but I don't think that will be the case).

.

 

[esskay]

Can't wait! Ipad1 is getting more annoying every day!

 

[iLilana]

will they

Or will it happen at the iPone event?

 

[dylin]

Realistically i don't see the mini getting retina this time around, but if the current iPad mini has an A5 like in the iPad 2, i think its safe to say that it will just at the A6 like in the iPhone 5. It wont need all that power to run a display of 1024 by 768.

With a res like that, it will certainly run any application with no problems at all, while still maintaining great battery life and keeping the weight low without having to give a bigger battery.

I wouldn't mind having excellent performance over a retina display as long as apps can be optimized for each resolution.

 

[Muzzakus]

How about some hepatic feedback apple? And more to the point, advanced haptics where the screen can take on the feel of different textures.

This could open up unique capabilities in usage, feeling icons, the keyboard, rubber banding screen feels less smooth.

All subject to internal testing for practicality.

 

[dampfnudel]

Smaller electronic components are more expensive to develop and manufacture than a larger version of the same thing... So an iPad Mini 2 with the same internal specs as an iPad 5 would cost MORE than an iPad 5.

That's why the iPad Mini 1 had the internals of an iPad 2, even though it came out at the same time as the iPad 4.

Expect the iPad Mini 2 to have specs comparable to the iPad 3, not the iPad 5.

More likely specs comparable to the iPhone 5 or iPad 4 (A6/A6X, GPU from iPhone 5, 1GB RAM, 8mp camera, etc.). Forget the iPad 3, aka the iPad 4 placeholder.

 

[dampfnudel]

Oh yeah, that's right. No way the iPad Mini will be able to handle the newer versions of iOS.

Just because Apple allows you to upgrade doesn't mean it will be a smooth ride. In fact, I think Apple allows older devices to be upgraded so you'll have even more of an incentive to replace your iPhone/iPad.

 

[James717]

Not strange at all. It's actually the opposite. It's strange to go to a full size iPad now after using a Mini. Why? Because the Mini is just such a joy to hold in my opinion. It feels good in the hand and it's especially amazing for longer periods of using it. To me it's that sweet spot of the perfect size. Kind of like how I assume most people think 13" is the perfect Macbook size, yes some people want 11 or 15 but 13 I think is the most popular for a reason, it's the sweet spot.

Agreed. Also the 10 hour battery life.

Retina MUST have 10 hours or more, which will be an incredible challenge. If not, I don't see how it can be worthy of being called a next generation iPad mini.

I personally don't care for the RETINA. Just make it 12 hours or more battery life and decently priced. Too cheap and it won't be worthy of Apple quality, too expensive and I won't bother (as won't many fans). I'm sorry, but for a mini, I can go as far as $400 USD, bot I would love for it to be $300-$350.

I know many are drooling over a RETINA screen, but for me, price, battery, weight are more important. As is, the iPad Mini's screen is already amazing.

 

[Deliro]

Well.... The mini better have some better specs. I realize that iOS is highly optimized and does more with less hardware but 512 megs and a processor that was nearly 2 years old in the first was a let down for me...

I bought a Nexus 7 last week (my first Android device ever) and while iOS and iDevices are much more polished and the Apps on iPads are better, I'm really enjoying the freedom of Android. Being able to boot up uTorrent, download a file (not pirating, thx), unzip it in a real file manager, and then play it all without the need for my PC was pretty nice. Not relying on Dropbox or email to transfer files back and forth (non photos) was also great. I'm afraid that Apple lost my bucks on the Mini if this Nexus continues to impress (although I might spring for a mini for my daughter).

 

[mrmarts]

I just want something to come out, they talk about slumping sales everyday, its about time we see a 5th gen iPad 5 on store shelves.

 

[CmdrLaForge]

Can hardly wait. Still using an iPad one. About time to make a change.

Me too. Still using my iPad 1. So far so good. In principle still a very good device but my main issue is the little delay that has been introduced by iOS 5 and no way to go back to iOS 4. Thats the main reason for me to buy a new one. In addition lighter would be nice and retina display as well.

 

[smiddlehurst]

Not strange at all. It's actually the opposite. It's strange to go to a full size iPad now after using a Mini. Why? Because the Mini is just such a joy to hold in my opinion. It feels good in the hand and it's especially amazing for longer periods of using it. To me it's that sweet spot of the perfect size. Kind of like how I assume most people think 13" is the perfect Macbook size, yes some people want 11 or 15 but 13 I think is the most popular for a reason, it's the sweet spot.

See I go entirely in the opposite direction. The Mini is the perfect device for my work as it easily fits into a map pocket. Might sound like an odd requirement but when I'm walking the half mile or so to the other side of campus it's really important that I've got somewhere to stash it if it rains! Other than that I find it a less than ideal experience compared to the iPad as it's just that bit too small for long term use.

Of course what this means isn't that either of us is right, it's that different people will prefer different things and Apple has two products that'll cover the vast majority of preferences. I can see the mini always being a bit behind the iPad in terms of outright power (a mix of battery life and heat dissipation) but nothing too serious once the tech is available to let them get the right balance of compromises.

 

[James717]

Well.... The mini better have some better specs. I realize that iOS is highly optimized and does more with less hardware but 512 megs and a processor that was nearly 2 years old in the first was a let down for me...

I bought a Nexus 7 last week (my first Android device ever) and while iOS and iDevices are much more polished and the Apps on iPads are better, I'm really enjoying the freedom of Android. Being able to boot up uTorrent, download a file (not pirating, thx), unzip it in a real file manager, and then play it all without the need for my PC was pretty nice. Not relying on Dropbox or email to transfer files back and forth (non photos) was also great. I'm afraid that Apple lost my bucks on the Mini if this Nexus continues to impress (although I might spring for a mini for my daughter).

I'm an Apple fan with numerous Apple products year in and year out.

Android Play store is far better in ease of purchase. Buy Buy Buy!
Flash is able to be played. I have an iPhone and 2 Android Smartphones (company phones). Yeah, iPhone is nice. Android phones are more fun.

That's all I'll say. Nexus 7 2013 IS better than the current iPad Mini. That's undesputable. It has even been mentioned by Apple fans. Test drive both. I have.

PS, I love dropbox.


As for Android stuff, it's pretty good on a Smartphone.

pps, reports have been stating that Apple CEO Cook is on the hotseat for not putting out innovating products. Agreed? I do. Minor changes is a given in electronics field. Everything gets better, faster, lighter, etc. in six months. But Apple's inability to produce something different cosmetically is just saying they're out of ideas. Iphone 4 and 5? looks sooooo similar. Mac Air , iPad main and mini from last year or last last year? See any difference?

 

[Grolubao]

Had my ipad 2 for over 2 years now and still going strong. I would love the new form factor but other than having something shiny and new, I can't seem to convince myself to buy another

Same here. I mean, I would love it to be lighter which is still my main concern, and of course the fact that is retina is nice, but apart from facebook slowness, it's still going very strong, why should I buy?

 

[iLilana]

does it need...

does it really need to be thinner?

 

[macchiato2009]

chinese analyst Ming-Chit Kuo said Retina iPad Mini should only arrive in 2014

 

[CmdrLaForge]

I am using Pages on my iPad 1 and I have the iPad in vertical mode with the Apple cover so that it is slightly lifted and at an angle to me.

I can use the keyboard in this configuration quite well. Not as good as a physical keyboard on a laptop of course but it is ok to type text like this one here.

I am always wondering if the mini would work just as well or if I better stay on the full size iPad. So far I am thinking the full size is better if you actuall want to work on it.

Anyone with experience on the mini?

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does it really need to be thinner?

No but lighter.

 

[iubuntu]

Thus, one should expect nothing new from apple this fall

 

[the8thark]

Um, the current iPad mini is non-retina so there's nothing to toy with. I think they're still PO'd that a day or two after they reported this find (which everyone else ran with as evidence there would be no retina mini this fall) the WSJ reports there would be one. And now subsequent reports from WSJ and Bloomberg reconfirm it.

Remember "confirmed" is only from the mouth of Apple. The WSJ and Bloomberg are not reconfirming anything, as Apple have yet to confirm anything. The WSJ and Bloomberg are just agreeing with the rumours and what their sources tell them.

Small but very important difference there.

 

[MRU]

Ready to blow a wad on this mini

Thank heavens they are wipe clean !!!

 

[olowott]

gonna be a great fall

my wallet, my money in the bank, my iPad2......... all going to fall

 

[Neodym]

Me 2. Time for a change, say I.

Think about the money we saved whilst the fan boyz bought a 2,3, and 4.

Regarding the fun you missed during that time i'd consider the balance to be clearly negative on your end.

 

[gnasher729]

Is the Mini really that awesome? Wasnt it strange to go from 9,7 inches to 7,9? Thats the only thing that should stop me from buying the Mini.

iPad mini vs. iPad:

Pros: It's only 7.9 inches instead of 9.7 inches.
Cons: It's only 7.9 inches instead of 9.7 inches.

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When the WSJ reviewed the nexus 7 they got 6hrs battery life.

It's always hard to match your competitor's claims with your own real products. In my own career, I found several times that my company's real product was crap compared to a competitor's claims, but the competitor's real product was actually crap compared to our product.