What makes the iPad wonderful is its larger size (which IMO is perfect). Anything smaller will only re-affirm the annoying "its just a giant iPod touch" crowd.
Cant see it happening.
Cant see it happening.
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'iPad Mini' Rumors Revived with Claims of 7.85-Inch Screen
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HobeSoundDarryl
macrumors G5
You might want to review an article like: http://www.wired.com/gadgets/mac/commentary/cultofmac/2006/03/70546?currentPage=all
Apple is notorious for coming out hard against something until their version of it rolls out. Then, it's the "greatest thing ever"... until the next big thing. Just because they've said it doesn't mean they won't do it. And if they do, it'll be "the thinnest, lightest, iPad ever" with "high density display" and "thousands of apps already optimized for this screen".
If there's a market for a smaller form factor, build it and sell it there. When the bigger iPod Touch rumor was flying, there sure were a lot of people in those threads frothing for that thing. There appears to be a lot of interest in the Amazon device in spite of it's disconnect from the iTunes Apps & ecosystem. The HP Tablet bomb proved there was a lot of buyers at price points below the current price of the iPad (even for a discontinued and presumably unsupported product). I've messed around with some Tablets around that size and they seem to work good. While the current size may be perfect for some, it doesn't make it perfect for all. At one time, it was state-of-the-(Apple)-art to watch media on a tiny iPod w/Video screen. They roll this out with a bunch of hype of how great it is, how portable, thin, etc and they'll sell a bunch of them.
To those suggesting changing the size will somehow require re-programming of apps for a third variation, pay attention to the rumor. It's talking about fitting the exact same resolution into a smaller size. The existing apps coded for the current iPad will be exactly the same- pixel-for-pixel- in this one. It's not a change in resolution; it's fitting more pixel density into a smaller space (which is how "retina" works too). The only graphics re-coding that might be necessary would be situation in which the designer made buttons or similar almost too small on the current iPad (which would already be a programming no-no "as is").
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Agree, we should know already the pattern for product releases. It's been very predictable so far, so why consider it will change?
Smaller iPad... Nah! If it comes it will not be cheap and crappy. it would be more like a larger iPod Touch and it would be price between the iPod Touch and the iPad. Not cheaper for sure.
Do you have an iPod Touch 4G *and* iPad 2?
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I don't want it to fit in pocket.
Just not take up most of a bag
Longtime watchers know that Jobs dissed any product that Apple wasn't selling... often just before they did... so such comments are pretty meaningless.
I think the most compelling reason to believe Apple is interested in the 7" book form, is because they seem to be out to kill all possible competition.
One way to do that, is to put out their own product in that area.
According to an analyst:
THIS IS THE NEXT iphone!!
Everybody stop complaining. Apple listened and made a bigger screen for all of those who want a bigger iphone.
Have you heard the rumor that Apple is partnering with clothing companies to start making larger pockets?
Yeah, he said. But maybe has the new team a different opinion. Markets change. So, we will see.
lol
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Before Steve died, he left an outlined path for Apple to follow for the next 4 years. Hopefully the new management doesn't start making mistakes this soon.
I don't want a cheaper iPad mini,
I want a smaller iPad 2.5!
Give me a better version of iPad 2 (like 8MP camera, better GPS, rugged case, maybe SD slot) but smaller.
iPad2S?
For what it's worth: I reckon we'll see the iPad following Apple's logic over from the iPhone. This sees the previous model (or two - 3GS and 4) being sold as a near loss leader to ensnare price sensitive consumers into the web that is the iOS-sphere.
Don't forget to factor in the design and manufacturing set-up costs (molds, pcbs etc) have long been paid for and written down. This means that the product can be sold for little more than the straight manufacturing costs.
Then again, I could be not right, in a wrong way, downside up
For what it's worth: I reckon we'll see the iPad following Apple's logic over from the iPhone. This sees the previous model (or two - 3GS and 4) being sold as a near loss leader to ensnare price sensitive consumers into the web that is the iOS-sphere.
Don't forget to factor in the design and manufacturing set-up costs (molds, pcbs etc) have long been paid for and written down. This means that the product can be sold for little more than the straight manufacturing costs.
Then again, I could be not right, in a wrong way, downside up
Terrific post, just one comment: I see carbon fiber mentioned as a case option quite a bit, and from my experience, it may be lighter, but it's way more complex to manufacture, has very different tolerances (bending vs. shattering) and is generally more expensive vs. aluminum (at least in the sailing and automotive industries).
But maybe Steve actually said "lets make a smaller iPad, like all the other small versions of stuff we make".
As someone posted, Steve always says one thing, then comes out with an insanely great product that in many ways is what people want.
A month ago I'd have agreed.
Now that we're keeping the iPhone 3GS in the line up this year I can't see any reason they won't keep the iPad 2 when the iPad 3 comes out, it wouldn't hurt anything at all to do so.
Not saying it will, just saying - it could.
I'm sure he did. But as every company, also apple has to react to recent changes.
Consider it done, but don't expect to pay less.
That would never happen. Apple already has a market for the iPod Touch, the iPad and the iPhone, and it's very easy for the consumer to decide what they want to purchase. Adding a product in between would negatively affect the products above and below it (in this case the iPod Touch and iPad), making it more confusing for the consumer to decide what to buy.
And every good salesman knows that giving the consumer too many choices is bad. Most of the time leads to frustration, resulting in a lost sale.
I wouldn't be at all surprised if Apple actually did receive 7 inch test displays. I imagine Apple gets a lot of different components that they mess around with, but aren't necessarily going to end up in a final product.
Apple has some 7 inch displays, so what.
Apple has some 7 inch displays, so what.
I think it is the most used computer in the world, no? Or are you comparing ALL the other computer manufacturers combined to Apple? That's ludicrous. In fact, many of those computers are chosen for os compatibility and price. 2 things that have nothing to do with whether Apple's design in question is better. I would imagine if Apple spit out windows/android machines at the same price as their competitors, then Apple would have a much larger share even. They wouldn't be making any money, just like their competitors, but they'd be selling lots more stuff. What's the point of that?
What changes? I haven't seen any drastic changes in Apple. Steve's dead was already expected, that's why he resign, named a new CEO, and established the path to follow. And he did that to ensure Apple's future, which also affects his surviving family's future.
I'm sure there's other people that have worked close to him that have learned to think like him; and not by accident. It was all planed long time ago.
There's people out there asking for any kind of thing you can imagine. Whatever Apple does, they will always be pleasing someone
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No, seriously: that may be true for minor changes/added features; But for new products/categories like the iPad (and arguably the iPhone), people don't know they want it until they see it. Apple's genius is precisely that nobody saw it coming.
I think you've got it here. This is how Apple operates with the iPhone and it makes total sense to do the same with the iPad.
I don't doubt that a 7in prototype exists. I do doubt they'll release it anytime soon.
The only way I can see it as a viable product would be as an entry-level "iCloud" product with minimal physical storage. But I think that cellular data bandwidth needs to increase before that - like widespread LTE.
And a price at $199.
I also suspect Apple is taking a wait and see approach to the Kindle Fire.
The only way I can see it as a viable product would be as an entry-level "iCloud" product with minimal physical storage. But I think that cellular data bandwidth needs to increase before that - like widespread LTE.
And a price at $199.
I also suspect Apple is taking a wait and see approach to the Kindle Fire.