March Launch for Slightly Thicker iPad 3? iPhone with 4-Inch Screen in Summer?

[APlotdevice]

I don't get why screen size is such an issue, I mean why doesn't apple make multiples iPhones or iPads, they make multiple cinema displays, multiple iPods, multiple macbooks, multiple iMacs etc. Why doesn't apple give us a smaller 5 or 7 inch iPad I certainly would buy one or a 4-5 inch iPhone. Why is Apple so against the idea of a UMPC/PDA/MID device it seams like there a clear consumer demand for something like this, from there own user base in fact. I wouldn't mind a thicker iPad because a little bit of extra heft and weight goes a long way for making a device feel premium and substant in you hands. When I held a gtab 10.1, an iPad 2, Samsung Series 9, and a Macbook air the devices felt really flimsy and fragile and I was afraid of ripping of the lid of the macbook air, not to say these devices were poorly built but the lack of weight cause one to perceive lack of quality. The only feature I care about seeing in iPhone 5 or iPad 3 is the implementation of digital pen input for drawing and taking notes which would be perfect for a student and amateur artist like me. I know there are capactive styli out there but they kinda suck a lot (ie no pressure sensitivity, no palm rejection, or a fine tip)

Well for one thing with finger driven devices the size of UI elements is extremely important. If they're too small then you could have trouble interacting with them. Too big and it wastes space. Of course Android is available on many different from factors, but then Android was designed from day one to work on different form factors. iOS wasn't. And even then it's not flawless.

Another thing is that Apple likes to streamline its product lines. When you remove color and capacity varations, there are only three or four basic iPods (depending on whether you count the touch). One of which hasn't received a major update in several years. And while there are indeed several varieties of Mac and MacBook, it's still considerably fewer than what some other PC makers put out.

I agree that a [optional] pen would make a great addition. I currently use a capacitive stylus to draw with my iPad, but as you point out it has serious limitations.

 

[juliusaugustus]

Well for one thing with finger driven devices the size of UI elements is extremely important. If they're too small then you could have trouble interacting with them. Too big and it wastes space. Of course Android is available on many different from factors, but then Android was designed from day one to work on different form factors. iOS wasn't. And even then it's not flawless.

Another thing is that Apple likes to streamline its product lines. When you remove color and capacity varations, there are only three or four basic iPods (depending on whether you count the touch). One of which hasn't received a major update in several years. And while there are indeed several varieties of Mac and MacBook, it's still considerably fewer than what some other PC makers put out.

I agree that a [optional] pen would make a great addition. I currently use a capacitive stylus to draw with my iPad, but as you point out it has serious limitations.

Well I agree choice can be a little overwhelming at and can expand development costs but constantly relying on one or two devices as a sole source of profit isn't very good for the long term growth of a business especially when the rest of the market is able to provide better choices. Does that mean Apple needs to release a 1000 different devices, no they just need to offer one or two more choices like say an iPhone classic with a 3-3.5 screen and an iPhone plus with a 4-5 screen or an iPad plus a 7 inch iPad mini. But you gotta consider the shuffle, classic, nano, and touch are all pretty differentiated from each other in terms of capacity, features, pricing.

 

[APlotdevice]

Well I agree choice can be a little overwhelming at and can expand development costs but constantly relying on one or two devices as a sole source of profit isn't very good for the long term growth of a business especially when the rest of the market is able to provide better choices. Does that mean Apple needs to release a 1000 different devices, no they just need to offer one or two more choices like say an iPhone classic with a 3-3.5 screen and an iPhone plus with a 4-5 screen or an iPad plus a 7 inch iPad mini. But you gotta consider the shuffle, classic, nano, and touch are all pretty differentiated from each other in terms of capacity, features, pricing.

A 4-5" iPhone/iPod touch probably wouldn't cause too many problems. But given the nature of iOS a 7" iPad would essentially need its own apps. Or at least apps reworked for its smaller display. Either way it creates another division in the app store.

 

[juliusaugustus]

A 4-5" iPhone/iPod touch probably wouldn't cause too many problems. But given the nature of iOS a 7" iPad would essentially need its own apps. Or at least apps reworked for its smaller display. Either way it creates another division in the app store.

I fail to see how this would case problems if apple just used the same resolution for 4-5 inch iphone as they do for the regular iPhone and use the same 1024x768 res for the 7 inch iPad

 

[APlotdevice]

I fail to see how this would case problems if apple just used the same resolution for 4-5 inch iphone as they do for the regular iPhone and use the same 1024x768 res for the 7 inch iPad

As I said before, the size of interface elements is extremely important with a finger driven device; Controls must be big enough to easily tap. They additionally need to be spaced far enough apart so as to avoid tapping other controls by mistake. Also with two-handed games the controls must be within reach of one thumb or the other.

 

[KingKongUser]

Only 4"?

That's what all the girls say....

 

[powers74]

Thinner MBP only acceptable if it has Blu Ray.

Did 22 people just miss the sarcasm?

Anyway, I never liked the taper, and I doubt Apple would do it as this rumor suggests. On the MBAir, it makes sense, the battery is on the thin side and the board, fans, hinge, ports and other things that are necessarily thicker are at the back side, plus, it's nice to have the keyboard tilted slightly towards the hands. For the iPhone though, it's already been established that the thickest part of the phone is as thin as the phone can be measured overall, and since battery life is paramount, why not fill what would be a taper with battery. It's not like user will be setting their phone on a table and typing. Not to mention the slightly awkward feeling of holding the phone in landscape.

But oh well, I'm not an Apple engineer or designer.

 

[qrayg]

The HTZ Rezound Android has a 4.3" display that is 341 pixels per inch, your precious 3.5" iPhone Retina display is only 326.

I've come to the conclusion that iPhone users on these boards are incapable of doing research without Siri.

Thank you for proving my "brain dead" point.

WOW!!! The dpi on that phone is higher, so it must be better!!! It must make all android apps UI looks pixel perfect!!!

 

[Fairchild]

OK - Just thinking out loud:

If Apple builds a "retina display" iPad - meaning one with the same pixel density as the iPhone4 (326PPI) and double the pixels of today's iPad (1024px x 768px ->2048px x1536px) that would equate to a form factor with a screen diagonal of about 7.8"...

On the other hand, if they build a new hi-res iPad comparable to this iPhone5 rumored size (4" @ 960px x 640px) or 300PPI - that would mean an iPad3 with a diagonal of 8.5"...

Either way - we're looking at an iPad high res that's smaller than today... I, for some reason, seem to think that Apple will push towards 300PPI on both devices and we'll wind up with that 8.5" tablet.

Do the math! - I really want hi res screens and feel the current iPad is a bit too bulky. I hope I prove right!

I think this the most astute observation yet on the matter.

 

[floobie]

I'm particularly interested in the Macbook (Pro) at this point. Just got a 4S, so I'm in no hurry on that front. Not convinced I need a tablet yet.

But, I wouldn't mind getting a fast new quad core laptop to replace my late 2008 aluminum Macbook. The performance boost that would provide me in Logic would be well worth the upgrade.

Wishlist!

- 13" Macbook Pro
- Quad core i7
- Lose the optical drive.
- Use that extra space for either:
- Making the entire thing thinner
- More battery
- Dedicated graphics
- 1440x900 or greater resolution
- IPS screen would rule
- Don't get rid of firewire!

If that's too tall of an order for the 13" version, I'll take those same features in the 15" version.