Production of 7.85-Inch iPad Reportedly Moving Closer as More Suppliers Named

[CmdrLaForge]

It's great for the people who want a smaller tablet, but I think they have nailed it with the current 9.7" display. It's not too big, but not too small either. The same goes for Samsung and Asus by the way, who also have excellent screen diagonals around the 10"-mark.

Regarding the screen size I fully agree. The one thing I currently don't like so much is the weight. If I read for a longer time it is not so comfortable to hold it in one hand. Then I put it on my lap which is usually ok, but I would really like the iPad to loose some significant weight and a smaller version could help a lot in this regard.

 

[Doombringer]

I like the other story going around today... the "iPad 4 in Fall of this year" one.

Yeah, OK.

I don't see Apple turning out products this quickly. There's no need to to move that quickly, and most consumers won't buy "the new thing" if they bought the last new thing 6 months ago. Heck, there are plenty of people using a first-gen iPad, and that only came out in 2010.

Maybe we'll see an iPad Mini. We'll definitely see a new iteration of the iPhone -- it's time for LTE, they can't keep putting it off. But an iPad 4 after the 2.5/3 launches in March? Come on.

 

[paul4339]

....So I see some natural levels:
* fits comfortably in your pocket and hand (iPhone, Touch)
* comfortable to hold with one hand, fits in a purse or small bag -- 7.8" iPad mini?
* comfortable to hold with two hands, requires bag to transport (9.8" iPad)

I would need to see a 7.8" iPad in person, but maybe it slots into that middle spot.

Hypothetically, if given the choice, do you think you would prefer:

- a 7.8" iPad form factor
Or
- a 7.8 iPod form factor (no side bezel)... a more bit like a kindle in shape.

Would you prefer:

- less expensive but less memory and more dependent on iCloud
Or
- more expensive but more local memory

.

 

[Macdude2010]

I think Digitimes needs to stop with these stupid rumors, apple is not making a smaller iPad, only Digitimes thinks so

 

[Rogifan]

No.

The iPad is a mobile device designed to fill the gap between smartphone and notebook. Leaving it at home where your computer is completely defeats the purpose. This is another unreliable rumor like the rest of them. They spent months figuring out the perfect size for the iPad, I highly doubt they are second guessing it because of flimsy sales of a few android tablets.

Exactly. And where is the evidence that these smaller tablets are eating into iPad sales or preventing apple from acquiring new customers? Isn't it possible that there are Kindle Fire customers who had/have no intention of getting a iPad? Also I doubt many android tablet users were first interested in an iPad but bout something else b/c of iPads size.

 

[notjustjay]

While I'm as skeptical as the rest of you, I do kinda like the 7-8" screen size.

I owned an iPad 1 and I loved it (I sold it only because once I got an iPhone 4 I didn't feel the need to keep both). My only problem with it was that it was a bit awkward to carry around. I don't generally carry a briefcase, backpack or messenger bag ("man purse") so I always ended up carrying the iPad by itself, tucked under an arm. It didn't fit in any coat pockets. I had to hide it under the driver's seat in my car whenever I had it with me and popped into a store or restaurant.

I feel like a slightly smaller iPad would fit in a jacket pocket and that makes a world of difference.

Certainly it was the "I can take it everywhere without having to hide it all the time" factor that influenced me to keep using the iPhone 4 and sell the iPad.

 

[Rogifan]

I think Digitimes needs to stop with these stupid rumors, apple is not making a smaller iPad, only Digitimes thinks so

and all these financial analysts who predicted Kindle Fire would be an iPad killer...

 

[franswa za]

And somewhere Steve Jobs is spinning in his grave.

LOL

start sanding your fingerips if you have not done it for the small iphone screen already

 

[Skika]

iNote. It will sell Millions. DO NOT underestimate the power of "purse compliant".

I doubt they would choose a different name than the iPad. Its allready a really powerfull well known name. Some even call all tablets "iPads".

 

[striker33]

Unless they are incredibly cheap, this is extremely pointless given the current amount of extremely cheap and powerful 7" tablets already on the market (PlayBook, HTC Flyer, Kindle Fire, etc). The aspect ratio of the iPad is also unsuitable for putting it in jacket pockets or large trouser pockets due to its width.

You also have the Galaxy Tab 7.7, and the screen is the best by a mile currently on tablet devices.

Apple should really stick with keeping their full sized iPad ahead of the currently superior Transformer Prime. The super high res screen will easily put them back on top. Yes, the Android devices may be getting similar screens, but Android Apps are very poorly optimised, where as iOS developers are usually very quick with adapting to new devices.

 

[nuckinfutz]

Unless they are incredibly cheap, this is extremely pointless given the current amount of extremely cheap and powerful 7" tablets already on the market (PlayBook, HTC Flyer, Kindle Fire, etc). The aspect ratio of the iPad is also unsuitable for putting it in jacket pockets or large trouser pockets due to its width.

You also have the Galaxy Tab 7.7, and the screen is the best by a mile currently on tablet devices.

Apple should really stick with keeping their full sized iPad ahead of the currently superior Transformer Prime. The super high res screen will easily put them back on top. Yes, the Android devices may be getting similar screens, but Android Apps are very poorly optimised, where as iOS developers are usually very quick with adapting to new devices.

It doesn't matter what's come before. The Android 7 tablets haven't sold all that well but then again neither has the 10 models.

The iPad isn't about the size it's about the software. iOS can be packaged in a 3.5" screen and people love it. It can be packaged in a 9.7" screen and people love it. Thus ...there is no problem adding it to a 7.85 screen. People will love it.

 

[217833]

Makes sense to me, the same way I wouldn't be surprise (I even hope) the iPhone 5 would stay under 4" (or right at 4" without any dimensions increase, no bezel).

It would also make sense to complete the product range between the 4" iPhone and the 9.7" iPad. The 7.85" might be the right spot for more mobility to easily fit in the purse.

Also, having a phone over 4" is just ridiculous. I have a friend who has the Galaxy Note and it's definitely not a smartphone... way too big to fit in the pocket. And it's not even a real tablet, way too small.

So instead to follow this direction, Apple might be smarter by keeping the smartphone small enough to fit the pocket and having an iPad and iPad mini for people at home and/or mobile.

Even Price wise, at $299 for the first model (maybe 8GB only) it might be interesting... While the iPad 9.7" could stay at $499 (16GB). It would definitely drive people to spend few more bucks to have an iPad instead an Android Tablets or Kindle Fire.

Personally I would love a 7.85" on the go and the 9.7" at home

Spid

 

[Yvan256]

What is peoples obsession with having bigger phones and smaller tablets? I don't get it.

Best comment I've read in months.

 

[nuckinfutz]

Best comment I've read in months.

I pity our future if that's the best comment you've read in months.

 

[BowTheMan89]

Reducing the size will not reduce the price an appreciable amount. Users will expect the same performance, just with less screen space. Smaller competing tablets are significantly cheaper because they are cheaper in every sense of the term.

The 16GB 3G iPad is $630.
The 16GB iPhone (to wit 3G iPad nano) is $650.

A 7" iPad will not be $200.

If they find no way of reducing cost significantly then i agree, a 7in iPad would be unrealistic and detrimental to the current iPads sales. There are however a number of options on the table, perhaps a low storage iCloud dependent iPad or wifi only, something along those lines (i don't have any better ideas, im not in product development).

Apple will not release a smaller iPad if the consumers decision comes down to preference alone. No company would, devices need more than that to distinguish themselves, otherwise its a guessing game on which product sells, and companies don't like leaving their business to chance.

 

[Imhotep397]

Anti-trust suit against Samsing as a business entity?

I wonder if Apple would be able to or should pursue legally barring Samsung from operating both Fabrication/Assembly and consumer product sales services in the US relative to small personal electronics devices? It's clear there are anti-trust and possibly environment manipulation issues with Apple using Samsung's Fab/assembly services starting three years ago and then finding that Samsung had not only ripped off Apple products that were on Samsung's assembly lines, but sold that privileged information to other tech companies. To be honest the connection is so obvious I don't even see why they would need a smoking gun witness for that...it's pretty common sense looking at the pre-iPhone mobile phone industry and comparing that to the current one.

 

[WLS]

....and there are millions who see it the same way.

Have to agree. I'm buying the iPad3 as I have since the first but I have to admit that's because it has been the only choice. The iPad3 may be my final one for a while and will get used at home or when I am away at a hotel but for going out and about around town a smaller size would work better and that is what I would buy in the future given a choice. It'll be that or a larger 5inch iPod Touch which is equally doubtful. I have to say the rumors of the 7inch size are getting pretty hard to ignore. Unless these sites are just echoing each other there seems to be a growing body of opinion that one will happen.

 

[JHankwitz]

I sure hope that Apple isn't reverting back to the stupid mistakes they made after Steve was booted out in the 80's. They tried to fill every nitch market and diluted their focus to the point that they almost went out of business.

Let the others waste their resources trying to fill small markets while making minimal profits. Apple needs to keep focus on making the very best products for those willing to pay for the value the products provide.

 

[Bubba Satori]

What is peoples obsession with having bigger phones and smaller tablets? I don't get it.

Uh...different people have different needs?

 

[nuckinfutz]

I sure hope that Apple isn't reverting back to the stupid mistakes they made after Steve was booted out in the 80's. They tried to fill every nitch market and diluted their focus to the point that they almost went out of business.

Let the others waste their resources trying to fill small markets while making minimal profits. Apple needs to keep focus on making the very best products for those willing to pay for the value the products provide.

Apple's biggest successes came from finding products they could sell to all users including PC

The got wise and leveraged the iPod phenomenon by creating iTunes for Windows and that's when things took off.

They can't lose here. We're talking about a Global market now. Whatever they make there's going to be a market for it if they hit certain price bands. Not everyone can afford $500 dollars for a tablet.

 

[Dorje Sylas]

I got an idea what all these small touch panels are for. They are not for an iPad but for the MacMini. Apple will be redesigning the MacMini with a touch panel top so it can operate as a small business server for things like coffee shops and other venues that aren't at the top of the tech game.

Perhaps also for the Time Capsual or Airport Extream.

[sarcasm] Maybe I can write for Digitimes, I just need to find some dubious foreign language translated sources to back up by assertion.

 

[Yvan256]

I pity our future if that's the best comment you've read in months.

Okay, best comment I've read in months about iPad rumors. Feel more confident about our future now?

Seriously, people keep talking about screen sizes, technologies, price points, markets, etc, etc. I know we're here to talk and this is a rumors site, but some comments are so "out there" that it's become pointless to read some of them.

 

[JGowan]

Education

While the iPad is doing well in education, an even bigger thing right now is the iPod, especially at the primary level, where educators are using them as rewards when kids do well. There's always time during the day that's free and the iPods are doled out to the deserving. I can see an 7.85" iPad being a big deal at that level too. Why?

#1) Bigger than the iPod but not too big (as the iPad might be for 7-10 year olds)... video would look great on this 7.85 device. Let's be honest, now that the iPad is out, who wants to watch video on their iPhone or iPod? The iPad is great but I think for portability, a smaller iPad would be the best, especially for small hands. Much easier to hold and not fumble.

#2) Cheaper than even the level entry iPad might be for education.

#3) Biggest reason to me is that the schools already have tons of education and game Apps to use immediately. Amazon Fire is not viable for the schools who are already invested in iPods/iPads because nothing they have works already. This smaller tablet comes in working with all that they have.

My wife is a first grade teacher and I'm getting this info from seeing how the iPods and iPads are used at school. A lot of these kids are truly taking to the Apple devices because they are from poor families and the chance to use the electronics is only during school.

It makes more sense and seems more likely to me to double the iPhone 4's resolution in both directions, thus:

More Likely Small iPad: 1920x1280 @ 7.85 = 293.96 ppi

While I would like a smaller iPad that was higher resolution, it seems to me that if Apple is indeed putting out a smaller version, they will keep the resolution at the current so that (1) all current apps continue to function without any manipulation by developers and (2) to keep the cost down. If Apple does put this out, it's to answer smaller tablets in the market, primarily the Kindle Fire which is a mere $199. Were Apple put a 1920x1280 screen in it, it would certainly raise costs. That's not to say that they'd never put in a better and better screen as time goes by. We see this annually as Apple continues to improve their products. However, to start, they would certainly stick with 1024 x 768.

 

[EstrlM3]

If this device existed as stated, it would have a smaller ppi than the original iPhone. It appears to me that Apple is done with low pixel density displays.

Rumored Small iPad: 1024*768 @ 7.85 = 163.06 ppi

iPad 1 & 2: 1024*768 @ 9.7 = 131.96 ppi
iPad 3: 2048*1536 @ 9.7 = 263.92 ppi

iPhone: 480x320 @ 3.5 = 164.83 ppi
iPhone 4: 960*640 @ 3.5 = 329.65 ppi


It makes more sense and seems more likely to me to double the iPhone 4's resolution in both directions, thus:

More Likely Small iPad: 1920x1280 @ 7.85 = 293.96 ppi

This would be slightly higher than the iPad 3, but slightly less than the iPhone 4. Right where it should be based on it's size, and viewing distance from your eyes. Plus developers still get the whole benefit of being able to easily remake apps by doubling the pixels on their iPhone 4 app screens.

It's just logical. Can I get some props for that at least?

The aspect ratio of the iPad is 1.33 vs the iPhone aspect ratio being 1.5

 

[striker33]

The aspect ratio of the iPad is 1.33 vs the iPhone aspect ratio being 1.5

Tbh there is no chance of Apple introducing yet another different screen resolution to its lineup. Plus the 7 inch model would be aimed at the lower end of the market, so it'd use the current screen res of the iPad 2.