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i made a point in a different thread. right now, it doesn't make business sense for apple to bring a 7" tab to market. they would cannibalize their own sales. i highly doubt, they would significantly impact sales from the android or BB tabs.

If anything it would expand the market. I'm sure there are a lot of people out there who think the current ipad is too big (I'm one of them).
 
The problem with 10" tablet like the iPad is it is too large to fit in the out side pocket of my backpack. That is the pocket I throw things I want easy access to but do not want to carry in my pockets. For example I keep my TI-89 in there and I can just reach in and grab it. But lets say a text book in the main pockets I have to kind of look down and see what I am grabbing since in the larger pocket feel is not as useful.

7" tablet would fit just fine in that out side pocket with my calculator. 10" is just to wide to easily fit in there.

What is kept in that outside pocket is limited to any item in a pinch I could easily put into a pocket of cargo pants or a inside pocket of a jacket. 10" to large for those places 7" just fine.
 
If anything it would expand the market. I'm sure there are a lot of people out there who think the current ipad is too big (I'm one of them).

market expansion would be marginal. scales of economies would be reduced by producing two products. you have to look at this from apple's perspective, not the consumer side.
 
Awesome news, no one wants a 7in tablet.

I agree that 7" would be far from ideal, but I can also imagine people wanting a smaller tablet. I prefer my iPad and I find the size perfect. Of course, I am sure that if Apple had brought a 7" ipad, nobody would say now that no one needs it...:)
 
Oh for the love of Jeff....

Why are so many people finding a very simple concept so bloody hard to get to grips with. Jobs was talking SPECIFICALY about a tablet form factor, not smartphones. Or, to put it more simply, if you shrink a tablet interface down from (in this case) 10 inches to 7 the reduced screen space makes tapping UI elements accurately problematic at best.

Um....but it's NOT hard to tap UI elements on an iPhone or an iPod Touch? Get real. I have all kinds of issues with my big hands. I'd LOVE a larger iPod Touch, but Steve thinks that it's big enough already while he thinks a smaller iPad is a BAD idea. So whether you think it's a good idea or not, you get no choice and that is the gist of the matter. I'd LOVE to have a 7" size iPad with an IR port on it that I could use to control my whole house audio/video system (more classy than a tiny iPod), but 10" is overkill and hard to transport for any other uses.

It comes down to this. My Dell Netbook (hacked to run OSX) is also 10". It's slightly thicker than the iPad but that's no big deal, IMO. It runs full Windows or OSX. The iPad runs the iPod Touch OS. It may have some iPad specific apps, but for hte most part, they're the SAME apps as the iPhone and iPod Touch. The UI elements are hard to use at 7"? Guess what, they're FAR easier to use than on an iPod Touch. I don't really need more power than an iPod Touch for a "big iPod Touch" but I could use more screen space.

The only reason the current Android tablets are getting away with it is they're, basically, phones so you're scaling a smaller interface up to a bigger screen. The instant you try and cram a denser app onto that screen you will run into problems (or have to design the app in such a way as to avoid them at the cost of useability).

Get a laptop if you need more usability than an iPod Touch. Having more power but no ability to run true software (i.e. where poor Apple doesn't get 30% of the developers profits automatically) is kind of an insult, IMO. Clearly, the iPad COULD run full OSX, but Apple is clearly moving to iOS for ALL Macs in the future and so it's one step at a time so they don't cheese off everyone at once. They're banking on the ease of use factor to eventually turn people on to the idea. Next it will be small Macbooks to use it and then iMacs and MBP models and finally, the Mac Pro will be the last to go as soon as they feel what's left of the "pro" market isn't worth the effort to maintain an open/public operating system. Feel free to disagree, but that's the gut feeling I get.
 
Dont-support-Flash-Player-Quip-back-at-consumers-asking-why.jpg
 
Steve at all things digital a few years ago.
Seven years is more than "a few", especially in this business. (Thanks for the link BTW.)

SJ swore apple is not developing a cell phone, a few months later we get the iphone
If you're talking about that earlier quote, 43 months is more than "a few", for all businesses.

I agree with you for the best apps the iPad has, shrinking the UI would stink. However, a 7" 960x640 device designed to run iPhone/iPod apps @165 dpi seems perfectly reasonable. All the UI elements would be larger.

These same apps are still useful/fun on the 10" iPad in 2X mode, but don't take advantage of the additional size of the iPad.
"larger" as in 2X larger (going from 3.5" to 7"), or roughly 70% the same apps run at 2X on the iPad (7" vs. 10"). Useful and fun, maybe; but more likely comically large, and not the level of fit and finish that Apple wants. The fact that you can do that on the iPad was only meant as a stop-gap until universal and iPad-only apps got on the market.

So 7" iPhone is too large, and 7" iPad is too small. Apple and all the third-party developers could do the work to optimize for a third (or counting Retina, fourth) size, for some unknown number of additional sales, but is it worth it?

I might be in the minority here, but I love surfing the web on my iPhone 4. In my home office the computer is a short few paces away from my recliner and the couch, but I find lounging on the couch surfing the web on my iPhone 4 much more convenient at times and quite enjoyable, probably because of the speed and retina display.
It's even better on the iPad. The larger screen size is more relaxing, because you can simply look "at" the iPad, instead of peering "into" it. You don't have to be as precise with touches.
 
Get a laptop if you need more usability than an iPod Touch. Having more power but no ability to run true software (i.e. where poor Apple doesn't get 30% of the developers profits automatically) is kind of an insult, IMO. Clearly, the iPad COULD run full OSX, but Apple is clearly moving to iOS for ALL Macs in the future and so it's one step at a time so they don't cheese off everyone at once. They're banking on the ease of use factor to eventually turn people on to the idea. Next it will be small Macbooks to use it and then iMacs and MBP models and finally, the Mac Pro will be the last to go as soon as they feel what's left of the "pro" market isn't worth the effort to maintain an open/public operating system. Feel free to disagree, but that's the gut feeling I get.

Agreed that Apple is moving toward a convergence of iOS and desktop OSX, but I bet by the time they are done, the resulting OS will be just as functional as the current desktop OSX.

As for wanting a 7" iPad, I do understand how people can feel they want a smaller device than the current iPad, yet bigger than the touch/iPhone. But ever since I got the 4th gen touch, I've been carrying both the iPad and touch with me, and the touch is the device I keep in my coat pocket or outside bag pocket for quick use, and the iPad is for when I have time and space for longer use. Sure, quick use would be easier if the touch was bigger, but bigger means less pockets it will fit in. For me, the two sizes of the current idevices complement each other nicely. I wouldn't say no to a 5" touch, but 7" seems to me like a useless size - too big to fit in most of my clothes pockets, but too small for a full tablet experience. So what's Apple supposed to do, make a 5" for me, a 7" for people who want that size, and keep the two cuurrent sizes for people who like those? I think the truth is that the iPad is selling well enough right now that it makes litle marketing sense to make a smaller size.

And btw, what happened to all the "iPhone nano" rumors?
 
If there's money to be made developers will do anything.
Nobody has suggested that a smaller tablet should be slower or contain less memory.

It's not about price, it's about size. The iPhone is too small, the iPad is too big.

Some day I believe Apple will realize that.
 
He also said there was no reason for video on the iPod a few days before the iPod Video.

I believe he also said:

- Nobody's getting a free case for the iPhone 4 (BUSTED)
- Anyone who chose to buy a case from Apple is on their own (BUSTED)
- The iPod Touch is an iPhone without the contract (BUSTED, since it's a different form factor, lower quality screen, lower quality camera, etc)

It's amazing how many people are rolling grass and inhaling what Jobs is selling.
 
The problem with 10" tablet like the iPad is it is too large to fit in the out side pocket of my backpack. .

Er --- buy a new backpack, the iPad fits in my one fine - lots cheaper than buying a new device- also I find it hard to believe you couldn't tell the difference between a textbook and the iPad based on feel- on this logic apple wold need to provide multiple sizes to optimize the screen size for every permutation of backpack and clothing. Not going to happen- Apple will hit what it thinks are the sweet spots that will suit the majority of people not produce 500 different variants to meet all of the I want USB,FireWire,sd card slot, 5 inch,7 inch.....requests. The discussions in these forums indicate to me that they do a pretty good job generally. Some people will always want some variation or other but Apple gets the options broadly right. If you want pocket sized go iPhone or touch if you carry a bag the iPad is very useable
 
Apple will hit what it thinks are the sweet spots that will suit the majority of people not produce 500 different variants to meet all of the I want USB,FireWire,sd card slot, 5 inch,7 inch.....requests. The discussions in these forums indicate to me that they do a pretty good job generally.

Of course.

Apple is trying to meet function, not cling to tech specs that do the function. All that USB/FW/SCSI/Card crap is ridiculous. What people need is to transfer the info. How it is done is not important as long as it can be done.

The ridiculous "pocket" thing so many people state on the forums is so off the wall you wonder if they are paid to say such stupid things. When the iPad was release, a lot of people here complained it didn't fit into their pants pockets... -_-; Does a laptop do so? Seriously, people. If the thing doesn't fit in your outside pocket, put it INSIDE the bag. Find a way to carry it.
 
After using a 7" Android tablet on display at a software engineering event, I'm not sure if 7" would be a good size for a tablet medium. Where does it fit? The android device felt awkward with a mobile phone interface, yet I'd hate to think what a tablet-style interface would feel like on it.
 
On the price issue, it's difficult to argue with Jobs.

Galaxy Tab is $599.99 on Verizon.

I suppose one could argue for the cameras and the built-in radios equal this out a bit. It still doesn't make up for the fact that it is much smaller, has less than optimized software, and has all of Verizon's apps built onto it.
 
When compared to a similar spec'd iPad the prices do match up but that being said it's priced too high.

IMO and mine only Samsung should have also released a wifi version only,no 3g or phone and brought it in under the $499 iPad($350-$450) and I would have probably bought one. They don't have the same following that Apple does and that $599 is going to sticker shock a lot of people, especially the I'll just buy a netbook crowd.

I'm one of the people who's in the would like to have a 7" but the adam by Notion Ink is suppose to come in around $500 with pretty much the same specs, minus the phone but with 3G and that $500 is with a PQ screen, the LCD one is even cheaper. Although it's 10" it's priced low enough to at least give the iPad a run. Notion ink doesn't have the rep that Apple does so internet buzz is going to have to work for them.

Also I think the one with the white back looks better :D
 
I suppose one could argue for the cameras and the built-in radios equal this out a bit. It still doesn't make up for the fact that it is much smaller, has less than optimized software, and has all of Verizon's apps built onto it.

Built-in apps don't bother me, and shouldn't bother anyone. iOS has apps people can't get rid of either, but at least on Android you can remove the icons from the homescreen. Or heck, just put them in a junk folder like we do on iOS. No big deal.

But yes, agreed, a lot of people are going to wait for a lower price before getting one.
 
Built-in apps don't bother me, and shouldn't bother anyone. iOS has apps people can't get rid of either, but at least on Android you can remove the icons from the homescreen. Or heck, just put them in a junk folder like we do on iOS. No big deal.

But yes, agreed, a lot of people are going to wait for a lower price before getting one.

or Jailbreak and use SBSsettings to hide them. That's what I did with the weather, stocks :D

I hope RIM is paying attention to all the fussing about pricing or they too will suffer the same faith. The one thing that RIM may have going for it is businesses that use BlackBerrys.
 
Yeah... 7" is too small... wait... how large is an iPhone screen again?

Too small to be a tablet but good enough for phone applications and games. It's also a rather painful browser experience but good enough for when I absolutely have to use the web for something.
 
Er --- buy a new backpack, the iPad fits in my one fine - lots cheaper than buying a new device- also I find it hard to believe you couldn't tell the difference between a textbook and the iPad based on feel- on this logic apple wold need to provide multiple sizes to optimize the screen size for every permutation of backpack and clothing. Not going to happen- Apple will hit what it thinks are the sweet spots that will suit the majority of people not produce 500 different variants to meet all of the I want USB,FireWire,sd card slot, 5 inch,7 inch.....requests. The discussions in these forums indicate to me that they do a pretty good job generally. Some people will always want some variation or other but Apple gets the options broadly right. If you want pocket sized go iPhone or touch if you carry a bag the iPad is very useable


You clearly did not read the rest.
Any backpack the 10" size iPad is not going to go in that outside pocket. Outside pocket is limited to things I could put inside pocket of a jacket or in cargo pants. both of which the iPad can not fit into.
 
market expansion would be marginal. scales of economies would be reduced by producing two products. you have to look at this from apple's perspective, not the consumer side.

Oh you mean like how apple makes 2 different size imacs with 2 different models for each size?

And why shouldn't I look at it from a consumer's perspective? I am a consumer. It's like saying iOS shouldnt have multitasking because if you looked at it from apple's perspective, its just more work for them.
 
Ok can someone explain something to me.

I was in the want a 7" crowd. One of the arguments was that developers would have to develop for the touch/iphone, iPad 9.7" and then again for an iPad7"

Now it appears that Macs are getting an App Store. So does that mean the creators of Angry Birds will have to write for the touch/iphone, iPad and now Mac if they want Angry Birds on the Mac or will the Mac have some type of emu to handle it?
 
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