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Those carbon fiber shells spotted around might be simple mock-shells for the prototypes. Only a few more days until we see what comes out.
 
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Apple have said that they won't do a 7inch iPad, because the full tablet experience suffers on a screen that is effectively half the size. So it's not an iPad. IF it exists, and it's a big IF, there's a more sensible answer.

It's an iPod.

It makes sense - only supports iPhone/iPod apps, so the user experience isn't compromised, uses the same resolution the iPhone 4, so no fragmentation and the graphics still look good. It's lighter and more portable than the iPad, so can be held in one hand for eBook reading and it's better than an IPod for video.

It's cheap, and still has hundreds of thousands of apps. It's not a full iPad, but it kills most of the market for cheap 7inch tablets overnight.

Additionally, jailbreakers could put the iPad
OS on it if they wanted.

iPod Max?
 
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fleggy said:
Has been categorized as ultraportable.

The difference lies that a netbook is a media player/internet surfing device of low performance for a low price; an unltraportable is a premium and more powerful machine -compared to a netbook- that is reduced in a weight/format factor for a casual using.

As someone said, 'Netbooks are cheap laptops.' Ultraportable aren't.

On that note, as I said another time, this are just categories to identify a market, boudaries in technology are getting really thin.

Ultraportable? Really? How is it more portable than a netbook then? More powerfull? Hmmm. W7 vs OSX...OSX wins, of course, but not more powerfull. 1.4 vs 1.6 says so. It is how you implement the tech, and that's why I am saying Apple did it right [for netbooks].

I am afraid we disagree, but that's fine ;) It makes the world more interesting.

Ultraportables has been around since way before Asus EEE 700, which started the netbook trend
 
Carbon Fibre we will definately not see. But has everybody forgotten the exclusivity deal Apple has in place with Liquidmetal for consumer portable devices?
Liquid metal sounds just like what the iPad needs: thin, light and very strong.
 
It's an iPod.

It makes sense - only supports iPhone/iPod apps, so the user experience isn't compromised, uses the same resolution the iPhone 4, so no fragmentation and the graphics still look good. It's lighter and more portable than the iPad, so can be held in one hand for eBook reading and it's better than an IPod for video.

It's cheap, and still has hundreds of thousands of apps. It's not a full iPad, but it kills most of the market for cheap 7inch tablets overnight.

iPod Max?

That does make sense. Video and text on the iPodTouch is pretty irritating unless the video is extremely simple. I'd hate to read anything more than a few paragraphs long on my iPT.

A 7" iPod Touch would be rather nice as a media viewer. As a portable computer it would be dismal. Plus, imagine the simple iPT hardware with a LOT more room for batteries and memory. It would be a dream iPod for anything other than music. I purchased a shuffle for workouts and music-only uses.
 
Personally I'd rather have an iPad the exact size and weight of my 12" MacBook's screen. I think the 12" widescreen would be perfect. I had an iPad for awhile and didn't find a good use for it because I thought the screen was to small to use as an at home device and I didn't really take it anywhere because the iPhone is much easier to carrier.
 
Doing that would do exactly what Jobs said he didn't want. What you are suggesting would take existing apps and shrink them. That includes shrinking down buttons and other interactive touch elements. This is what he was talking about when he made the "sandpaper your fingertips" comment.

That's true, good point. What if, instead of 'shrinking' iPad apps, iPhone apps were enlarged for this screen? You'd still have 'wrong' sized elements, of course. There may be no getting around the need to adapt existing apps for a 7" display. But at least it could crudely run iPhone apps and iPad apps at the 'wrong' size, and everything would at least 'look' good on Retina.

I do think there is a market for a smaller iPad (larger iPhone?) with a Retina display. (Hey, sometimes Jobs is wrong. Sometimes he changes his mind, too. Here's a video of Jobs saying 'tablets will fail'.) You do make valid points re the touch elements. Users would either have to make do with upsized iPhone apps (just like they did when the iPad first came out) or downsized iPad apps until/unless developers see a market for versions adapted to this exact size. But if Apple sells enough of them, devs will come around.
 
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I included the 13" because that is considered an ultraportable, as the MBA 11.6". I would also add that the MBA 13" and 11" are just to format of the same model.

It was clear that Apple went on competing on the netbook market with the iPad - if you remember last january keynote in the case you have seen it.

As I said in few post before, a netbook is a cheap laptop, an ultraportable is a premium yet more portable laptop, which also means that is not really cheap.

I considered W7 vs OSX an argument not needed because is a feature that doesn't make any difference in categorizing the hardware.

You brought the GHz argument up, you were just inaccurate by associating the power relating it to CPU cycle rate.

As far from being rude, I don't think is the case. I don't mean to be, I just express my opinion for the sake of a good argument. If I by chance resulted rude to you, please don't take that as an offence.

Sorry, I am afraid I don't get it.

If the MBA is intended to be a premium ultraportable laptop, then I would be assuming the size is all that is different. That is; taking the processing power of a standard size laptop and putting it into a smaller form factor...thus making it a premium product.

That is not what Apple have done. They put in less powerful processors (still better than most others, but still less - that's what I really meant to say when looking at GHz). They have followed the trend of other manufacturers...smaller less powerful than laptops. They have less grunt than a MBP (which can be had for $200 more - if we are to include 13").

If it is not aimed at the netbook market, then who is it aimed at, and what will they be doing on it? It would be very hard to argue that the MBA is more portable than say a Lenovo S10.

You can put the products into any category you like...but for me, it comes down to users and their usage. I believe that is how Apple start the design process, and create products which fit best. Stating the obvious here, but "Netbook" got its name from - a small book size computer that allowed simple connectivity to the internet.

I see the MBA as an alternative to the iPad, for those that want a more traditional experience (keyboard and screen) and be able to do a little more.

BTW - none taken on the GHz comment :)
 
7 inch iPad will not come out in my eyes. It's not like Apple to go back on what they say.

I remember SJ saying that no-one would want to watch video on an iPod Classic display and that's just what was included in the (then) next refresh.
I won't be at all surprised if a 7" iPad/iPod Touch is announced soon.
 
I'd take a 7" iPad :)

It seems to me that they could easily introduce the 9.7" iPad 2 with a higher resolution, as has been rumored, AND a 7" iPad that has the SAME resolution (1024x768) as the original iPad, no? :) Problem solved. :D Sure, apps designed specifically for the original iPad at its original resolution will have UI elements that are proportionally smaller, but I don't think that would be enough to kill usability on most apps.

As for the people who say typing on a 7" iPad would be too tough... um, iPhone? :D I type pretty quickly with two hands on my iPhone 4 in portrait mode no less, though I admit one-handed typing on my iPhone is tough given my big man-hands. :D

If Apple does sell a 7" iPad, I would likely get THAT instead of the larger iPad, due to the increased portability. I want an iPad I carry with me basically everywhere that is somewhat pocketable at least, as I have seen with the Samsung Galaxy Tab. This is particularly of interest to me as I am migrating away from iOS for my phone (have had a 3GS and 4 now) as I am moving to Blackberry for my phone usage; however, I still love the UI, browser, and the richness of the apps of the iOS platform, and would love an iPad of the 7" form factor to carry when I want a larger screen than my smartphone.
 
Carbon Fiber? 7"

I think the manufacturing costs of carbon fiber parts would be too high, but I like the concept. I have carbon fiber parts on my bicycle that weigh substantially less than the aluminum parts they replaced.

For me, the iPad is too big, my wife and daughter both have one. A 7" model might persuade me to buy one. Currently I just use my iPhone for everything I want portability for.
 
I wouldn't mind the 7" display - I just think Jobs is too much against the the idea.
 
They use it tho on superlight cars, and chassic are joint pieces as tubes and such, is not a whole piece as unibody, as far as I know. There is too much torsion going on a car frame.

Carbon fibre car chassis are monocoque construction, not tubular. They are immensely strong in torsion. Carbon fibre is strong relative to the direction of weave. By layering pieces with the weaves in different directions, they are able to make very rigid structures. Here is an example picture:

http://www.worldcarfans.com/110061726892/usf1-auction-raises-14m-for-creditors/lowphotos#0

You are probably right on the expenses matter. I see you agree on my point on liquid metal.

Although not for the same reasons. I see carbon fibre as a viable option, but believe Apple have decided that liquid metal suits them best, based on the fact that they have done a large deal for its use.
 
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Jonny Skyves said:
Carbon fiber? I seriously doubt it. Apple's all about the aluminum.

Could well be the start of something new..
Carbon fiber may well be the standard for electronic devices some day.

I'm no expert, but carbon fiber costs may well be low enough to use on an iPad.. after all, its only the back casing, with the front being all glass.

And the iPad could sure do with being lighter.. I don't use it any more while taking a dump. I get dead legs..:mad:

For me, aluminum sets the experience a level up in terms that plastic is so cyber-ordinary... Everything related to comps, tech and the internet seems to be encased in a pladtic shell if some sort... When the iPhone4 came out with aluminum trim and glasd, it was a wonderful breath of fresh air... And I applauded SJ as I believe its something he pushed for, as I would if it had been me. Carbon fiber may very well be cheaper more durable and lighter, but it simply does NOT have the feel and aesthetic that hopefully sets Apple's products above the rest. As far as NFC is concerned, its a fantastic addition... And hopefully will generate revenue for Apple and its shareholders and be stronger than everywhere kind of PayPal and probably someday even bigger. 7" iPads look appealing to me... The web is just too boring to be on a big screen. On 7" it looks very interesting and engaging. iPads definitely killed netbooks which I believe was one of the reasons it was to dwarf with its screen size. Now that this objective is an afterthought, it is smart to offer a smaller svreen, as it can be made to look and feel like a big brother to the beautiful iPhone design. The iPad, though very nice, is lacking, it is just not right... and would be yet a bigger smash hit if made to look and work as truly beautifully as the iPhone4 does. I can imagine if its truly that gorgeous, that it would be an accessory that would be adopted by society amounting someday not so far away on a scale thatakes it indespensible much like how tge iPhone is already becoming, and would be the perfect companion to it covering everything the iPhone does'nt do well (not much) or can't (perfect portable all in one personal computer). A7" would be ideal. That adide, which really looks better... Galaxy Tabs or iPads? Which would look cooler yet stoll, a gslaxt tab or an iPhone4 looking 7" tablet. Its still early enough in the game to so this without losing face. Regardless, all Apple does is fantastic business, and as an AAPL shareholder, I ciuld'nt hope for better, though I know all shareholders will keep getting better and better :) Gotta love Apple... My kind if products and definitely my kind of company.
 
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When the iPhone4 came out with aluminum trim and glasd, it was a wonderful breath of fresh air..

iPhone 4 Trim is not aluminium, its stainless steel...
 
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trellus said:
It seems to me that they could easily introduce the 9.7" iPad 2 with a higher resolution, as has been rumored, AND a 7" iPad that has the SAME resolution (1024x768) as the original iPad, no? :) Problem solved. :D Sure, apps designed specifically for the original iPad at its original resolution will have UI elements that are proportionally smaller, but I don't think that would be enough to kill usability on most apps.

As for the people who say typing on a 7" iPad would be too tough... um, iPhone? :D I type pretty quickly with two hands on my iPhone 4 in portrait mode no less, though I admit one-handed typing on my iPhone is tough given my big man-hands. :D

If Apple does sell a 7" iPad, I would likely get THAT instead of the larger iPad, due to the increased portability. I want an iPad I carry with me basically everywhere that is somewhat pocketable at least, as I have seen with the Samsung Galaxy Tab. This is particularly of interest to me as I am migrating away from iOS for my phone (have had a 3GS and 4 now) as I am moving to Blackberry for my phone usage; however, I still love the UI, browser, and the richness of the apps of the iOS platform, and would love an iPad of the 7" form factor to carry when I want a larger screen than my smartphone.

My sentiments EXACTLY... Perfect portability... And with a wireless keyboard, excellent functionality as a secondary personal computational system... That aside, a 7" would be easier to power with current and near term future processors, and longer battery life. Also much more feasible for retina display that *everybody* wants in an Apple tablet. It nay mean more$ to keep the current size in terms of forced obsalescence revenue guarantees, but larger overall interest and use guarantees greater revenues from the platform's ecosystem of content ect. Though I would buy an iPad if it stayed the same size, I would be much happier actually if it were scaled down jyst a tiych. It natters when Apple lovers like myself see the iPad and say"eh... Pretty cool" as opposed toseeing a Galaxy Tab and aaying "now I really do want one of those... But will wait until Apple comes out with something like it"... Which is exactly what I am doing... Waiting and hoping. I waited until iPhone4 to be how I wanted it to evolve, and I will wait until iPad is just gow I want it, though I am VERY tempted by the Galaxy Tab... But loyal still, fir now :p
 
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G77 said:
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When the iPhone4 came out with aluminum trim and glasd, it was a wonderful breath of fresh air..

iPhone 4 Trim is not aluminium, its stainless steel...

Whatever... I love how it looks and functions. It is exactly how I hoped it would evolve.
 
I highly doubt that there will be a gigant design switch just one generation in. Switching to Carbon would be like switching from plastic to aluminum iMac.

I also doubt that there will be a smaler iPad, have you ever used one of these? They feel like the mutch quoted bigger smartphone that i iPad is suposed to be (wich, of cause it issent, but people who say this never used apps designed for it, just saw the OS)

I doubt the time is right already, but i bet there will be a bigger iPad someday. if you go. If you enlarge your 4:3 iPad display to about 12 Inches it is almost the standart Magazin size and around the size of your MacBook 13 inch 16:10 Screen. I only think that such a big TouchScreen would be very pricey... maybe in a year or two wen iPad subscriptions have taken in the magazin marked.
 
I for one would consider buying a 7" iPad model. What is everyone hating on it? I think it'd be great. Somewhere between the iPhone and the iPad. Perfect. Sign me up.
 
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