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iPad Refresh in March Likely as Apple Receives Certification for New Tablets in Eurasia
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Oh yeah absolutely forgot about it wireless charging for the iPad like the iPhone X would be such a cool thing ? is it likely to happen ?
And even my guess is the iPad Pro 2018 would not debut before June-2018
You only think you want this because you see it as something "added" to iPad Air 2 and "removed" from this product. There are other innovations to be had that keep this as cost savings product.
I have a gut feeling that Apple's removing of the headphone jack for the iPhone was more about pushing people to use their AirPods, which also serves as an excellent accessory for the Apple watch, itself also another accessory to the iPhone.
I suspect that Apple's end goal with the iPhone and its wearable accessories is a future without wires or concerns about battery life. Imagine: after using your iPhone, AirPods, and Apple Watch normally throughout the day, you'll just place them on an airpower charging base and forget about cables, adapters, and battery packs.
The iPad lacks a similar wireless narrative, so its headphone jack should be safe from the chopping board. For now and for the near foreseeable future.
I don't expect USB-C, but I could actually see it on the iPad first if it were going to happen. The iPad already needs a special charger (so to speak, if you want it done this century), and is closer to a laptop in function and expectations. They could simply say they're having it join their MacBook line which already uses USB-C. And the iPad is much more likely to host peripherals that could take advantage of USB C (video/audio i/o, network i/o) which can't be done simultaneously using Lightning.
Here's a crazy idea, USB C where Lightning is now, and Lightning where the headphone jack is
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I agree every iPad should have the smart connector, but I don't see why using a bluetooth keyboard isn't just about the same in terms of replacing computers. If you want to do that, they need to add optional mouse pointer support for text and office-type apps while using any keyboard.
You should look at a teardown from ifixtit and you'll know why that will stay a crazy idea.
They can't use the space excuse for the iPad to get rid of the headphone jack, unless they drastically reduce the size of the 9.7" iPad. There's lots of space in an iPad Air 2, and the New iPad (2017) is actually physically bigger than the iPad Air 2.
Anyways, I'd love to see a 4.5" iPhone SE 2, but that's not going to happen.
However, the kids still use the iPad 2 for Netflix and YouTube. Navigation for those is irritatingly slow too, but once the video is playing, it's fine.
Anyways, I'd love to see a 4.5" iPhone SE 2, but that's not going to happen.
I replaced my iPad 2 back in 2014 with an iPad Air 2, since even back then I found the iPad 2 slow for browsing, with too many tab reloads too. It has the same innards as the iPad mini.
However, the kids still use the iPad 2 for Netflix and YouTube. Navigation for those is irritatingly slow too, but once the video is playing, it's fine.
I'm pretty much in the same spot. Current iPad is an Air 2, 64 GB, and although the space is a little tight, I just don't see what I get for upgrading, unless I'm trying to make it my main machine, which I absolutely cannot do.
Oh I know what you mean. As it is, I would love a touch screen on my MacBook now. I actually detest having to use the trackpad for adjustments, and as long as I'm moving my hand to move a mouse, I'd just as soon grab a pencil that gives me much more precise control over the editing process. A simple magnetic mount next to the display would solve the problem of accessibility. But that's really an individual user concern.
As it is, I hate that there's no arrow keys on the iPad, when all I want to do is slide forward or backward a few characters to make a change. Inevitably I try to select an insertion point where I want to make the edit, and ends up becoming a whole thing. Arrow keys would greatly simplify that. Or, a Pencil. A mouse would likely make selecting an insertion point easier than with my finger, but would also require a greater degree of finesse to position it than the Pencil. Maybe the key is a Pencil tip extension on the end of a finger that extends and retracts as it approaches and withdraws from the screen?
I get the mouse is still a common tool for PCs, but there must be a way to move forward on the iPad without it, while accommodating some of the practical problems it solves for some users.
I don't think that's what limits the thinness. Losing it didn't make the iPhone any thinner either. Presumably you still want it to have a battery inside, right?
Part of the Spring release the last three years has been catered to educational buyers, who need to evaluate and get budget before rolling technology out for the fall semester. This is most likely a refresh to the base iPad models (not Pro) timed to correspond to when educational buyers need to start evaluating new hardware for purchasing.
I think Apple has been focused on reducing the cost of the iPad base models to be price competitive, so I'd expect any updates to be along the lines of whatever they can fit into the existing hardware budget, or even lowering the hardware budget again to offer the device for cheaper (or give them more price reduction options for bulk purchases)
I also think the inability to lower the hardware budget while updating the technology was why the mini wasn't really updated last year. Instead, they focused on rolling in more memory to make a better-value package and to eliminate SKUs.
So two models would include the base iPad and either the mini or an iPad with cellular. I think Apple makes a fair bit of change off of the cellular upgrade, so if there is a mini release it is probably a sign that not enough people are buying the non-Pro model with cellular to make it worth maintaining another SKU.
I think Apple has been focused on reducing the cost of the iPad base models to be price competitive, so I'd expect any updates to be along the lines of whatever they can fit into the existing hardware budget, or even lowering the hardware budget again to offer the device for cheaper (or give them more price reduction options for bulk purchases)
I also think the inability to lower the hardware budget while updating the technology was why the mini wasn't really updated last year. Instead, they focused on rolling in more memory to make a better-value package and to eliminate SKUs.
So two models would include the base iPad and either the mini or an iPad with cellular. I think Apple makes a fair bit of change off of the cellular upgrade, so if there is a mini release it is probably a sign that not enough people are buying the non-Pro model with cellular to make it worth maintaining another SKU.
I updated my original MacBook Pro when it could no longer do software updates, and I wouldn’t keep any other Apple product that is unable to update to the latest software. I really hope the iPad Mini gets a refresh this year, even though I just bought the Mini 4 earlier this month. I’d figure something out to be able to get a Mini 5. I want Apple to see that there’s still interest in that model. It’s the perfect size for me. Of course, an edge-to-edge version of the Mini would be even better, but beggars can’t be choosers.
I'd like to see the 10.5" screen size in the 2017 iPad 9.7 replacement. The traditional iPads waste tons of bezel space. I'd rather give up touch i.d. and gain the bezel space back; I don't need facial recognition (and certainly not "the notch") on a day to day iPad. Or shock me Apple and put touch i.d. on the back and let me use software controls on the front. But give me the larger screen!
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does the Lightning able have full USB C functions? I don't want to see the cable change, but if they can upgrade the functionality of the port to full "C" specs that would be great. Just so long as any new Lightning cable is backwards compatible (to the extent old devices support a subset of "C"); and it would be ideal of course if older cables have full functionality, but that's doubtful given Apple needed a replacement for its old "dock cable" and "C" specs weren't settled back then.
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The A9 at a mininum. Every iDevice I have with the A8 just burns through the battery. My Mini battery life is much shorter than my 2017 iPad for example. The A9 seems much more efficient.
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For a while it was A9x on the 9.7" Pro, then A9 on the 2017 iPad, so it's not inconceivable for Apple to distinguish the vin ordinaire (9.7 iPad) from the special collection (iPad Pro 10.5") with just an "x".
Personally I'm very happy with the A9 in the 2017 - it's fast yet easy on the battery. I'd be happy if they keep it a while longer, it's probably not too expensive to make compared to the (probably) lower yield, more expensive A10 and up. What I'd like to see is the 10.5" screen get pushed down to the "ordinary" iPad. Then for a real budget edition they could keep the 2017 iPad and just drop the price. So,
2018 iPad with 10.5" screen, A10, and home button;
2017 iPad 9.7" for $259.
What would be really exciting would be moving the touch i.d. to the rear panel and giving up a bigger screen in a 9.7" case. But I don't see that happening, if only because it might undercut 10.5" Pro sales.
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does the Lightning able have full USB C functions? I don't want to see the cable change, but if they can upgrade the functionality of the port to full "C" specs that would be great. Just so long as any new Lightning cable is backwards compatible (to the extent old devices support a subset of "C"); and it would be ideal of course if older cables have full functionality, but that's doubtful given Apple needed a replacement for its old "dock cable" and "C" specs weren't settled back then.
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The A9 at a mininum. Every iDevice I have with the A8 just burns through the battery. My Mini battery life is much shorter than my 2017 iPad for example. The A9 seems much more efficient.
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For a while it was A9x on the 9.7" Pro, then A9 on the 2017 iPad, so it's not inconceivable for Apple to distinguish the vin ordinaire (9.7 iPad) from the special collection (iPad Pro 10.5") with just an "x".
Personally I'm very happy with the A9 in the 2017 - it's fast yet easy on the battery. I'd be happy if they keep it a while longer, it's probably not too expensive to make compared to the (probably) lower yield, more expensive A10 and up. What I'd like to see is the 10.5" screen get pushed down to the "ordinary" iPad. Then for a real budget edition they could keep the 2017 iPad and just drop the price. So,
2018 iPad with 10.5" screen, A10, and home button;
2017 iPad 9.7" for $259.
What would be really exciting would be moving the touch i.d. to the rear panel and giving up a bigger screen in a 9.7" case. But I don't see that happening, if only because it might undercut 10.5" Pro sales.
Yeah, I think even stuffing in an A10 in the current body and calling it a day is a long shot. However, it's possible that we may get a 9.7" iPad in a slimmed down body without the home button and FaceID added which may come close to the size of the iPad mini 4 (just slightly larger). I wouldn't expect that to happen until next year at the earliest. That would replace my iPad mini 4 as long as it has an A12, 4GB of RAM, FaceID, etc.
yeah no. They put fast charge on the most recent iPads, and released a lightning-to-USB-C cable, which will need a USB-C brick. If they make the full switch to a USB-C port on iPads, then they'd have to include BOTH of those with the iPad (unless they release a USB-C-to-USB-A cord, which would just be spiteful even for Apple.) They already have USB-C availability for lightning now, AND they can get people to buy an extra peripheral to use it. So yeah, iPad Pro already has USB-C, but with a lightning hole.
What are you talking about? The iPad mini already comes with a resolution better than FHD.
And I believe the mini is pretty much dead. The problem was that it was cannibalising sales of the larger iPhones.
I thought the retina display Mini and the Retina display 9.7” iPad both had the same resolution, though. They’re not HD? They look HD to me.
https://www.apple.com/ipad/compare/
Apple took out the screen resolution on all displays but you can judge by the ppi that they are not even 720p but between 720i and 720p in screen resolution. The larger iPads are only 264ppi. ppi stand for pexels per inch, the more ppi, the higher the resolution. You can also indirect see it by the capabilities to play video is still limited to 720i.
https://forums.macrumors.com/thread...-between-720p-and-1080p-on-your-ipad.1361043/. The link above discuss the iPad screen resolution back in 2012! I do not believe it has changed. It talking about video only, not text however but you can still infer from the discussion.
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Retina_Display
Look at the section where it discuss the competition to find the screen resolutions.
The physical screen/display panel is 2K but Apple use their iOS to remap it down to 720i!
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They aren't going to undercut the iPad Pro 10.5 by putting that in the low cost iPads. The whole panel was designed for ProMotion tech and requires then a better graphics core (iPad Pro A10X). No way that'll go into a low cost iPad at $329 or less. It's a budget iPad.
If anything it'll just be a basic spec jump and maybe lower the price to $299.