Production of 7.85-Inch iPad Rumored for 3Q 2012 at the Earliest

[PracticalMac]

functionally the iPad IS an iPod. It even has an iPod button just like my iPT

As for pocket-ability I too feel that that would be a loss. But for reading, gaming, remote controlling and browsing the larger screen provides a better experience.

Besides I think that Apple hopes this space will become a secondhand market for old iPhones that go off contract and get sold at upgrade time. They make more money off of new iPhones than iPod Touches.

I expect to see IOS backwards compatible to 4 generations starting with the iPhone 4

iPT does not have Compass nor Gyro, no GPS and Cellular option, no lock on the screen rotate. As such the software has slight differences.

I would NOT get a smaller iPad / larger iPod Touch if it does not have all the features of the large iPad.

 

[dBeats]

It would NOT be an iPod, then.

And why call it something other then iPad?

Well, maybe iNote (Pad).

Yeah, not sure what they will call it. It just seems to fit into the iPod timeframe and I did notice they did basically nothing to the iPod touch last year. No Siri, no new CPU. But THIS device probably would have Siri and updated CPU.

I loved my iPod Touch 64GB but in the end it was just a neutered iPhone with a crappy camera. (I was force to use a blackberry for work, very much against my will.) I eventually got an iPad 1 refurb, which I love to death. But I'm definitely thinking of being a iPad3 owner. The smaller iPad idea isn't for me, and my workplace has FINALLY recognized that the Blackberry is not as productive as it used to be. So hello iPhone 4S. No need for a "middle" device.

 

[ghostalker]

I would NOT get a smaller iPad / larger iPod Touch if it does not have all the features of the large iPad.

It would be a differentiated class of device. There is no way Apple makes one of these with exactly the same features set as its bigger brother. As always there will be enticements to move to a more expensive device.

I am merely stating that there is sound reasoning to replace the current iPT with such a device. Time will tell.

 

[Drunken Master]

Choice and Freedom are good things. But most people buy Apple products because they don't want either of those.

"We think that where there is choice we have freedom. I can go to Italy or France: a choice. But does choice give freedom? Why do we have to choose? If you are very clear, perceive purely, there is no choice. Out of that comes right action. It is only when there is doubt and uncertainty that we begin to choose. So choice, if you will forgive my saying so, prevents freedom."

-J. Krishnamurti

 

[cvaldes]

iPT does not have Compass nor Gyro, no GPS and Cellular option, no lock on the screen rotate. As such the software has slight differences.

Actually, the iPod touch does have a three-axis gyroscope. Screen rotation lock is done in software.

 

[PracticalMac]

... and my workplace has FINALLY recognized that the Blackberry is not as productive as it used to be. So hello iPhone 4S. No need for a "middle" device.

Lucky you!

My place finally equipped all our service people with company phones last year..
with BlackBerries!
Just when everyone else is abandoning that platform....

Yeah, our company is slow to realize the importance of technology....

 

[skellener]

7" iPad just isn't going to happen.

 

[iEvolution]

Some of you just amaze me, not everyone wants a 10.1 tablet much like some of you don't want a smaller 7.85 version, adding another size isn't hurting anyone you don't have to buy it.

 

[mrxak]

MacRumors, please stop posting Digitimes articles on the front page until they actually get a proven track record. I know you get more ad hits from controversial stories, but by posting ridiculous BS like this you only become a joke. People will start looking for other sources of Apple news and speculation if they know all they'll get here is Digitimes fantasy. You used to exert greater common sense and put stuff like this on Page 2, or not post it at all.

If I'm wrong, and Digitimes has been right about anything, stuff that they reported first and nobody else was already expecting and talking about, then come out and tell us their batting average. In fact, I suggest that for all your news article sources, just tell us what the batting average is, both for breaking the story first and for confirming what other people say. I would hope you track these things internally already, but if not, you should start immediately and make it public every time you post an article.

 

[Jstretch]

Why smaller? Bigger is better.

I love every Apple product I've purchased since fully converting from PC in 2006 (4 iPods, 3 iPhones, 2 Macbook pros, and 1 original iPad), except 1. The iPad. I just don't get it, it's an iPhone that can't make calls. I find it difficult to hold, difficult to surf the web, and no better in most cases than my iPhone. The only advantage in my mind is the screen size vs. the iPhone.

Why in the world would I want an even smaller version?

Give me a 13, 15, or even 17 inch iPad in a decent case and it suddenly becomes my go to device.

 

[xoggyux]

Choice and Freedom are good things. But most people buy Apple products because they don't want either of those.

----------



It's getting tiring. The Kindle Fire also is the real thing, and in case we still need to spell it out, It's not an either/or decision for most Kindle Fire buyers. They buy a Kindle Fire in addition to other devices simply because they want easy and streamlined access to Amazon's content ecosystem, and Amazon's ecosystem certainly is the superior choice for people who still READ.

It's also certainly more comfortable to hold a 5" or 7" device in your hands when you want to read a novel than a 10" monster. The iPad is unwieldy and except for playing Shredder Chess HD or some tower defense games, I still don't know what it would actually be good for.

Here is the issue, apple already have 4 resolutions (assuming ipad3 retina display is a go) for their ecosystem already. Is not big deal because out of those 4 resolutions 2 are just twice the predecessor's so developers can just design apps for 2 resolution sets and then include a function to "half" the resolution to display in smaller screeens (e.g. icon for ipad 3 is designed as 80x80 pixels but it is displayed as 40x40 in ipad 2.)
Adding an additional screen size means either sticking with non-retina display (e.g. using same resolution as an ipad 2 in the 8" version of the ipad 3) or getting a retina display with same res as the future ipad 3, however since the screen is 8" (smaller) the density to achieve the same resolution would be higher and therefore the manufacturing cost would also be higher. As a result the 8" version of an ipad3 with retina display could end up costing more to make than the 10" version, and costumers are not going to be feeling good paying more for an smaller size. Sticking with the low resolution for now might not be such a bad idea, but by the looks of it Apple seems to be moving towards higher resolution (even rummors of retina MBP) which would mean a backward step should apple decide to go for a "low" resolution ipad 3 8".

Also you are trying to give it a philosophical turn to the situation; dont. It may seem that having "many choices" is better than having few. The problem most people tend to miss is that having a few GOOD choices is better than having a billion mediocre choices. For instance, Android offers (arguably) more choices than iOS; screen of any conceivable size, usb, hdmi, you name it if somone thought about it, its probably already in an Android device. However, if you think about it, half the phones are announced today are being advertising as coming with a previous version of Android, a soon-to-be-outdated version....
So yes, I rather have only two screen sizes, a phone size between 3.5-3.7" and a tablet size between 8-9" and have both products being really good at what they are supposed to do than have an infinite array of sizes from 2" to 70" too choose from that are mediocre as a whole.

 

[Dorje Sylas]

, no lock on the screen rotate

I have to correct you. The screen lock is in the multi-task bar with a swipe to the left. My iPod Touch 3rd gen virtual lives in screen lock.

What it can't do is lock in Landscape mode. It locks only to vertical. A Landscape lock would be good.

 

[nuckinfutz]

7" iPad just isn't going to happen.

of course ..it's 7.85

 

[ThinkDifferentX]

I'd like to add my thoughts on the smaller iPad (again).

I do think the kindle fire's success is more of a price thing than a size think. I'm a small guy, 118 lbs 5'8" and I have no problems taking an iPad on a buss, or carrying it everywhere I go. So I don't see a need for a smaller device or how it is better for a large enough market segment. A parable would be, how for most normal people, low fat low calorie is the best diet. For someone like me who NEEDS as many calories as possible, the market doesn't revile around me. Why? because I am not most people.

To some degree marketing is utilitarianism, "the greatest good to the greatest number." In that light I don't see Apple changing their screen sizes much if at all.

Apple is so successful by targeting a broad market segment, not so much catering to a niche. Lots of other companies do that.
I've seen some comments from people who think the iPad is not a magical, revolutionary device. Thats fine, everyone has their own taste. I and tens of millions of other people who are 'not' brainwashed fanboys agree.

I liked Drunken Master's krihnamrta quote. Krishnamrta was wise in many ways, and has an interesting life-story. I've seen many case where the 'right' thing wasn't a choice, so choice just for the sake of choice isn't always the best, and even if it is, it has never been part of Apple's brand. The truth is, if you don't like that about Apple, you don't buy their products.

Despite being an Apple devotee, I don't want them to be the only game in town. everyone has different values, and competition helps keep everyone on their toes. As I told someone in IRC, I am brand loyal to Apple because I find their products the best experience overall. IF they didn't make products I like, then I wouldn't buy them,

Part of the reason Apple may seem draconian to observers is that unlike most companies, they embrace Job's OCD level of perfection. Perfection is relative, but when you seek making something perfect as you can, you only make a decision when it is perfect in your eyes. Thus I don't see a smaller iPad, since for most people doing most things, ~10" is the perfect size.

To say, Anyone who is a developer and can't support multiple resolutions shouldn't be one, is about the most moronic thing I have seen. I AM a developer and I know many other developers. A lot of development is centered around many other things besides the GUI. Less variance in the target platform means a developer can focus one what their app is meant to do, and not worry as much about getting it to look good on many resolutions.

 

[GermanyChris]

I don't understand the reason for the iPad to begin with, but, why would a smaller iPad be better?

 

[ABernardoJr]

I don't understand the reason for the iPad to begin with, but, why would a smaller iPad be better?

It'll be kind of hard to explain the value of a smaller iPad if you don't understand the value of the iPad in the first place. But to start, it'd be even lighter/more portable. Personally I'd get the normal sized iPad but there are probably those that could use an even smaller iPad.

 

[iEvolution]

I love every Apple product I've purchased since fully converting from PC in 2006 (4 iPods, 3 iPhones, 2 Macbook pros, and 1 original iPad), except 1. The iPad. I just don't get it, it's an iPhone that can't make calls. I find it difficult to hold, difficult to surf the web, and no better in most cases than my iPhone. The only advantage in my mind is the screen size vs. the iPhone.

Why in the world would I want an even smaller version?

Give me a 13, 15, or even 17 inch iPad in a decent case and it suddenly becomes my go to device.

Wait you say that it is difficult to hold as is yet you want a larger one and not a smaller one? That makes sense.

I wouldnt mind if there was a smaller one on the market because the usability of my 7 kindle fire is much easier to browse on in comparison to my motorola xoom which is 10.1.

 

[dBeats]

I don't understand the reason for the iPad to begin with, but, why would a smaller iPad be better?

As cheesy as it is to say it. You just have to live with one for a little while and you will get it. Get a cheapo refurb and start using it. It's what I did. My refurb iPad 1 has done me well.

 

[Judas1]

The trend I see for Apple is to control all media accessing devices, and the content that these devices access. I see a definite gap in their product lineup, which opens up a gap in the contents they offer. If the rumors are true that they're entering the tv market, then the only gap they have is something that bridges the 3.5" smartphone, and the 10" ipad.. They don't have a larger screen media consumption device, because the 10" ipad will be geared more for a laptop "replacement."

 

[the8thark]

Thats not an excuse though. If a developer is having difficult making a scalable application, he/she shouldnt be a developer in the first place.

Applications developed for desktops seem to be working JUST FINE on a plethora of resolutions. Why is it only now that apple has this ridiculous mandate on screen size now that we are to assume applications wont work on different screen sizes?

It's simple. Most Apps don't run in the computer screen's native resolution. And that's nice cause they work. But for the iPad we all want 100% of the apps for it running in native resolution. Having to have 2 different native resolutions for iPad apps is just silly.

And yes some computer apps have multiple resolution points you can choose from. But that's just a waste of time. Why develop something that's not needed.

 

[kdarling]

I don't understand the reason for the iPad to begin with, but, why would a smaller iPad be better?

Same reason you carry things smaller than a desktop radio around. Same reason there is more than one size of book or magazine.

It's lighter, smaller, more portable. But not too small. At our house, we find that we're far more likely to grab a 7" tablet than an iPad or iPod to take into the bedroom (or bathroom) simply because it's a more convenient size. Moreover, it fits nicely in a coat's inside pocket for work and also stores in a glovebox.

As others have mentioned, there's a gap in Apple's lineup right now that's being taken by millions of e-book readers and Android tablets for the same reasons as noted above: lightness and portability and often price.

It's the kids without money who think there can be only one choice. More and more families have multiple tablet needs, that can be satisfied with multiple sizes and types.

 

[69650]

4" screen = iPod & iPhone

7" screen = iPlay

10" screen = iPad


iPod Touch now simply called iPod as the iPod Classic is deleted

 

[b166er]

I don't see this happening, but I hope it does.

I think the iPad is great, but sometimes it is a little too big to be comfortably portable. My girl has a Kindle Fire, and I sometimes am envious of the size of the screen. Not any of the other specs, but the screen size on that thing is great. It's big enough to read and navigate comfortably, and it makes the device super portable.

I am guessing Apple won't do this, at least not for some time, but if they do I'm there.

 

[Ugg]

I don't understand the reason for the iPad to begin with, but, why would a smaller iPad be better?

Hmm.

My Dr's office just went paperless. Their tech of choice, the iPad. The hot dog stand by the uni has an iPad with a Square dongle attached so that students can use their debit cards to buy a hot dog. His business is up 20%. My favorite coffee shop also has an iPad and Square.

There's no doubt that the current iPad is a hit in medicine but I think the hot dog vendor could use a smaller iPad.

Personally, I want an iPad for its GPS capabilities, not to use in the car but on bicycle trips. It's lightweight, portable, long batterylife, is 3g enabled, has a camera, what more could I want? Also, I'm not stuck with a $100 a month, 2 year contract if it was an iPhone. I like the current size but also like the size of the Kindle. I won't know until I buy one if the 10" is too big but I think 7.85" would be a good size and would definitely be more portable.

 

[nate13]

Multiple sources have reported the testing of a smaller iPad.

Testing would conclude that adding another size would confuse customers, presenting a solution looking for a problem. What exactly is the benefit of a smaller iPad? "Too big for your pocket, but not enough to warrant a bag!"

This whole topic is a troll fest looking for something that, at best, existed as a prototype.