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Bloomberg: iPad Mini Coming in October [Updated]

It is funny to see people saying it is a reaction to Fire, Nexus 7. When Apple developed the first IPad, I am sure they had many size and then decided on the 10". Does it mean other size aren't wanted, of course now. They just felt that if they were to focus on one size, 10" was the way to go. Now that they are on the 3rd generation and things like screen, battery have improve, they probably see a market for a well made 7-8" as well. As long as it comes with the typical Apple quality, it will be great to have another choice.

I doubt they are doing this to thwart Kindle and Nexus 7 since iPad is still dominate. And Apple products are in the pipelines for a long time. It is likely they always had this form factor in mind and was just waiting for the technology. This is similar to making the releasing the iPhone using iOS which was actually developed for tablets but large touch panels were still too expensive. Wouldn't surprise me if Apple were also looking at larger sizes and waiting for certain criteria to be met.
 
What are people's thought on whether it will have LTE or not? I can't imagine it not, but for some reason both Nexus7 and Fire don't have it, could be due to a rush a to market and cutting deals with providers.
 
just don't see it

I just don't see this happening. I think this is deliberate misinformation by apple and suppliers. Read the WSJ article.. the unnamed sources are themselves admitting they've been "told" by apple to start preparing a smaller tablet.
They haven't claimed to have seen any designs or even seen any concrete data.

I'm sure this is actually to obscure the iPhone 5's ramp up into production.

The only possible scenario I see Apple doing with a smaller iPad would be to basically make them free and have them use iCloud storage only ( with 8GB local storage that would serve as local cache .. I think there was a patent we saw of this awhile back )
But unless you're going for universal adoption in education or something like that, why would you do this?

Apple is the top dog in this space. They have the premier product and more importantly are making the lions share of the total profit by a wide margin. I just don't see them worrying about this unless there's some other pay off to it.
 
Kevin777 said:
half the cost (!)
Click to expand...

You don't halve the cost of a computing device by reducing the size.

The processor still costs the same, the radios, cameras, NAND, DRAM, cables, power supply and connectors still cost the same. The back case will be a tiny bit cheaper but the only real savings will be the display and battery - for a total of maybe $60 less. So the total possible reduction would be about $100, adding in Apple's profit.

To sell a device at $249 Apple would have to be able to make it and distribute it for about $150 - that's simply not possible. To get an iPad 2 into a store costs nearly $250 - shave $60 off that spec and you have a retail price of $299.
 
poloponies said:
You don't halve the cost of a computing device by reducing the size.

The processor still costs the same, the radios, cameras, NAND, DRAM, cables, power supply and connectors still cost the same. The back case will be a tiny bit cheaper but the only real savings will be the display and battery - for a total of maybe $60 less. So the total possible reduction would be about $100, adding in Apple's profit.

To sell a device at $249 Apple would have to be able to make it and distribute it for about $150 - that's simply not possible. To get an iPad 2 into a store costs nearly $250 - shave $60 off that spec and you have a retail price of $299.
Click to expand...

Half the RETAIL cost, not half the production cost.

And I agree with you on the production costs, if you assume that it will have all the exact same features, components, just smaller size. But maybe it won't. Maybe it won't have the super-duper retina display that allows you to see the atoms of people's hair follicles. I'm good with that. I don't need anything more than WiFi (and I understand that a cellular option would & should cost more).

I could settle for less if it costs me less money. I don't have to drive a $100K Mercedes. I don't like to be told, "Buy the Mercedes, or buy nothing!". A solidly built, wonderful-to-drive, $20K Camry is good enough for me.

And by your own figures, it would have a starting RETAIL cost of $299.

That sure fits into my budget a whole lot easier than the RETAIL price of a similarly matched, just larger, 10" iPad. I'll even go to $399, depending on the features....

I just won't go over $399 RETAIL for a 7" tablet (or any size tablet, for that matter), not one made by anybody.

I'm confident Apple will be able to offer me a 7" device, with the features I'm willing to pay for, for $399 or less...
 
Kevin777 said:
Half the RETAIL cost, not half the production cost.

And by your own figures, it would have a starting RETAIL cost of $299.

That sure fits into my budget a whole lot easier than the RETAIL price of a similarly matched, just larger, 10" iPad. I'll even go to $399, depending on the features....

I just won't go over $399 RETAIL for a 7" tablet (or any size tablet, for that matter), not one made by anybody.

I'm confident Apple will be able to offer me a 7" device, with the features I'm willing to pay for, for $399 or less...
Click to expand...

My point of production costs was to demonstrate that you don't save enough to get to HALF THE RETAIL COST.

And my $299 figure was based on reducing the spec of the iPad 2, there's already a $60 gap between the base iPad 3 and the base iPad 2.

So for $299 you could conceivably get a 7.? version of the iPad 2.

The fact that you'd be "good with that" doesn't mean that it's a wise choice for Apple. Keeping the 2 in the lineup may work for Apple by dropping the entry level for purchasers (who know they're buying last year's model) to $399. That doesn't mean they're going to release a totally new product at last year's spec. So shaving the $60 off the iPad 3 gets you to production costs of $245 or a retail price of $399.

Take a look at Toshiba's current Excite lineup, their 10" starts at $449 and the 7.7" starts at $499, $50 higher. Granted it's AMOLED but Toshiba knows that keeping the specs comparable doesn't allow for a huge price drop, so better to differentiate with added features, but not lower price.
 
Hot Off the Press...

"Apple Preps for New Tablet"

"Officials at the component suppliers, who declined to be named, said this week that Apple has told them to prepare for mass production of the smaller tablet. The Wall Street Journal reported in February that Apple was testing such a device but hadn't yet decided whether to proceed with production."

http://finance.yahoo.com/news/apple-preps-tablet-221400615.html

Just in time for my birthday!

And here's more:
http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2012-07-03/here-comes-nexus-7-nightmare-the-ipad-mini.html
 
Kevin777 said:
Half the RETAIL cost, not half the production cost.

And by your own figures, it would have a starting RETAIL cost of $299.

That sure fits into my budget a whole lot easier than the RETAIL price of a similarly matched, just larger, 10" iPad. I'll even go to $399, depending on the features....

I just won't go over $399 RETAIL for a 7" tablet (or any size tablet, for that matter), not one made by anybody.

I'm confident Apple will be able to offer me a 7" device, with the features I'm willing to pay for, for $399 or less...
Click to expand...

My point of production costs was to demonstrate that you don't save enough to get to HALF THE RETAIL COST.

And my $299 figure was based on reducing the spec of the iPad 2, there's already a $60 gap between the base iPad 3 and the base iPad 2.

So for $299 you could conceivably get a 7.? version of the iPad 2.

The fact that you'd be "good with that" doesn't mean that it's a wise choice for Apple. Keeping the 2 in the lineup may work for Apple by dropping the entry level for purchasers (who know they're buying last year's model) to $399. That doesn't mean they're going to release a totally new product at last year's spec. So shaving the $60 off the iPad 3 gets you to production costs of $245 or a retail price of $379.
 
fredf said:
A 7" iPad shouldn't just be about money and unselling competitors.
It's not for everyone but there is a substantial case to be made for a 7" tablet. I have not bought an iPad yet simply because I am waiting for the smaller form factor.

But I am not willing to buy a cheap 8 gig device with no 3 or 4 G capability. I want a full fledged but 7" iPad otherwise it's just a toy.

Produce a smaller iPad with 16 gig memory and cell access and I would pay $399 for it over an Android. But price it at $199 or $249 without 16 gig or 3/4G and I walk away.

The idea of Apple is functionality not rock bottom prices.
Click to expand...

iPad Mini - Wi-Fi

8GB - $199
16GB - $249
32GB - $299


iPad Mini - 4G (aka Cellular) simply add $130 like the current pricing model

8GB - $329
16GB - $379
32GB - $429

higher capacity models == more profit

if any one can pull these thing it is APPLE!!!
 
Last edited:
poloponies said:
My point of production costs was to demonstrate that you don't save enough to get to HALF THE RETAIL COST.

And my $299 figure was based on reducing the spec of the iPad 2, there's already a $60 gap between the base iPad 3 and the base iPad 2.

So for $299 you could conceivably get a 7.? version of the iPad 2.

The fact that you'd be "good with that" doesn't mean that it's a wise choice for Apple. Keeping the 2 in the lineup may work for Apple by dropping the entry level for purchasers (who know they're buying last year's model) to $399. That doesn't mean they're going to release a totally new product at last year's spec. So shaving the $60 off the iPad 3 gets you to production costs of $245 or a retail price of $379.
Click to expand...

Crunch your numbers all you like. Apple will release an affordable 7" tablet, that people will love, that they can still make a profit on. And they will do it in time for the Christmas shopping season.

Believers like me should get special tickets that allow us to get ours first, ahead of all the naysayers and fanboys...
 
ipod xl

i'm sure this may have already been mentioned but incase not; i'm puttin money on them preserving 'the word of steve' on no ipad mini but rather an ipod xl ala a similar trick nintendo jus pulled with the 3ds
 
Last time I compared a 3GS screen (rumored to muse in mini) to an iphone 4, it looked awful. Kind of puts a damper on the mini for me.
 
Kevin777 said:
Crunch your numbers all you like. Apple will release an affordable 7" tablet, that people will love, that they can still make a profit on. And they will do it in time for the Christmas shopping season.

Believers like me should get special tickets that allow us to get ours first, ahead of all the naysayers and fanboys...
Click to expand...

I never said it will never happen. I said it would never happen at the fantasy price points that don't consider what it takes to actually build such a device. Hell, if a 7" iPad came out at $199, I'd buy several - but that's just not going to happen. If and when we see it it will fall into the $399 price range (maybe $379), but even that's a stretch). But $199, $249 or even $299 won't happen.
 
Kalebra47 said:
i'm sure this may have already been mentioned but incase not; i'm puttin money on them preserving 'the word of steve' on no ipad mini but rather an ipod xl ala a similar trick nintendo jus pulled with the 3ds
Click to expand...

I agree with you. It will be cheaper & easier to make an iPod Touch XL, WiFi-only, with a higher profit margin. And it will still be better than all the 7" Android tablets in the market.

For the Apple virgins, once you've got them hooked, they'll move up to the regular iPad if they want cellular access, and the glorious "full tablet" experience (oooohhhhh! ahhhhhhhhh!).

And most existing iPad owners will buy it because it will address much of their gripes about the iPad size, and they'll still have their precious iPads...

Apple wins all around...

And most importantly, the Gospel of St. Steve will remain inviolate!

Please, folks! Let's maintain our priorities!
 
SactoGuy18 said:
If Apple can pull off a 7" "small" iPad with 1024x768 resolution with 802.11n Wi-Fi support and 32 GB of local storage for under US$350, game over.
Click to expand...

You nailed it! That's my baby! Give it to me now! Here's my $350! And still within my budget!

Google who? Android what? Micro...ah, they're worthless anyways!

Is it Christmas, yet?

This is like a baby day contest: Not a question of if the baby will be born, but who can come closest to the actual specs & price....

And you stole my guess ! ! ! :)
 
Bezetos said:
I wasn't targeting my question at you.

There is a proven demand for 7" tablets.

A race to the bottom?

Sony loses money on every PS3 they sell, because they make money on every game they sell.

If Google makes no money on every Nexus, it will still earn money on products and services, especially thanks to exposure to Google service.

So yes. Apple's business model is different since it's all about maximising profit. Apple wasn't really ever about competing with their prices.

Again. There are people who actually prefer 7" from larger models. If there are people who were considering buying an iPad but preferred a smaller size and went with an alternative, Apple will now have something to offer them.

There will definitely be some demand. Apple just needs to scale stock numbers accordingly.
Click to expand...
Where are the stats that 7" tablets are selling well because people want 7" devices? The only really successful 7" device is the Kindle Fire and that's based on estimated sales since Amazon refuses to provide sales figures. And even if the Nexus sells well how do we know it's not as much about the price and people preferring a high quality Google branded Android device over some of the current Android crap out there.
 
Vtwo said:
It is funny to see people saying it is a reaction to Fire, Nexus 7. When Apple developed the first IPad, I am sure they had many size and then decided on the 10". Does it mean other size aren't wanted, of course now. They just felt that if they were to focus on one size, 10" was the way to go. Now that they are on the 3rd generation and things like screen, battery have improve, they probably see a market for a well made 7-8" as well. As long as it comes with the typical Apple quality, it will be great to have another choice.

I doubt they are doing this to thwart Kindle and Nexus 7 since iPad is still dominate. And Apple products are in the pipelines for a long time. It is likely they always had this form factor in mind and was just waiting for the technology. This is similar to making the releasing the iPhone using iOS which was actually developed for tablets but large touch panels were still too expensive. Wouldn't surprise me if Apple were also looking at larger sizes and waiting for certain criteria to be met.
Click to expand...
According to Walter Isaacson's book Steve and Jony played around with 20 different models of different sizes and aspect ratios:

From page 642 of Issacson's book:
The process began with Jobs and Ive figuring out the right screen size. They had 20 models made - all rounded rectangles, of course - in slightly varying sizes and aspect ratios. Ive laid them out on a table in the design studio, and in the afternoon they would lift the velvet cloth hiding them and play with them. "That's how we nailed what the screen size was," Ive said.
Click to expand...

If Apple thinks it can make a profitable 7" device, I can see them doing it - not sure if it would be an iPad mini or larger iPod Touch. But no way do I think they're doing something because of a supposed threat from the Kindle Fire or Nexus. Where is the evidence (other than wall street analysts wishful thinking) that the Fire ate into iPad's market share? It seems as if wall street analysis assumes every tablet buyer is a would-be iPad buyer and so in their minds a Kindle Fire or Nexus sale is a lost Apple sale. I think that's hogwash. Some people are heavily tied into Amazon's ecosystem so a Fire is great for them. And some want nothing to do with Apple or iOS, so they'll purchase a Nexus. I'm not sure a 7" iPad would make them converts.

----------
Kevin777 said:
"Apple Preps for New Tablet"

"Officials at the component suppliers, who declined to be named, said this week that Apple has told them to prepare for mass production of the smaller tablet. The Wall Street Journal reported in February that Apple was testing such a device but hadn't yet decided whether to proceed with production."

http://finance.yahoo.com/news/apple-preps-tablet-221400615.html

Just in time for my birthday!

And here's more:
http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2012-07-03/here-comes-nexus-7-nightmare-the-ipad-mini.html
Click to expand...
So basically Yahoo Finance, Bloomberg and WJS are all reporting on the SAME rumor based on UNNAMED "officials" at "component suppliers". Yeah that settles it then. LOL
 
My own mom asked me when the 7" iPad is expected to be released. That means she has heard about it from traditional media, that it is being presented as imminent release with an uncetain date, and that is nearly certain.

True or not, this is a different thing form the past with unannounced products.

Rocketman
 
Rogifan said:
According to Walter Isaacson's book Steve and Jony played around with 20 different models of different sizes and aspect ratios:

From page 642 of Issacson's book:


If Apple thinks it can make a profitable 7" device, I can see them doing it - not sure if it would be an iPad mini or larger iPod Touch. But no way do I think they're doing something because of a supposed threat from the Kindle Fire or Nexus. Where is the evidence (other than wall street analysts wishful thinking) that the Fire ate into iPad's market share? It seems as if wall street analysis assumes every tablet buyer is a would-be iPad buyer and so in their minds a Kindle Fire or Nexus sale is a lost Apple sale. I think that's hogwash. Some people are heavily tied into Amazon's ecosystem so a Fire is great for them. And some want nothing to do with Apple or iOS, so they'll purchase a Nexus. I'm not sure a 7" iPad would make them converts.

----------


So basically Yahoo Finance, Bloomberg and WJS are all reporting on the SAME rumor based on UNNAMED "officials" at "component suppliers". Yeah that settles it then. LOL
Click to expand...

Well, short of an iPad Mini being left "accidentally" in a bar, and an Apple SWAT team being sent in to recover it (with reporters in tow...), I guess we'll just have to take what we can get from the media...

I bought one on eBay yesterday for $499, but, strangely, it looks very, similar to the Nexus 7.

No, wait. There's the big Apple logo on the back...No, wait....it just popped off...waaaaait a minnnnute.....

It's coming....no Naysayers allowed in the line until October 2013!
 
Rocketman said:
My own mom asked me when the 7" iPad is expected to be released. That means she has heard about it from traditional media, that it is being presented as imminent release with an uncetain date, and that is nearly certain.

True or not, this is a different thing form the past with unannounced products.

Rocketman
Click to expand...

Well that settles it. What you're experiencing is how pervasive the iPad has become in the market. Ask your mom to name 2 competing tablets. She's hearing about it because she knows about the iPad and it immediately registers. That doesn't mean that she's the harbinger of "real" Apple news. Odds are she hears a tech rumor a day but can't fit it into any compartment so it just goes in one ear and out the other. Give Apple's marketing props for getting her into the Matrix.
 
poloponies said:
Well that settles it. What you're experiencing is how pervasive the iPad has become in the market. Ask your mom to name 2 competing tablets. She's hearing about it because she knows about the iPad and it immediately registers. That doesn't mean that she's the harbinger of "real" Apple news. Odds are she hears a tech rumor a day but can't fit it into any compartment so it just goes in one ear and out the other. Give Apple's marketing props for getting her into the Matrix.
Click to expand...

Oddly enough, the poster's mother's name is "Mrs. Cook", and little Timmy's nickname in grade school was....you guessed it...."Rocketman"...

Naysayers! Out of the line! No iPad Mini for you! [finger wag]
 
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