Thinner, Lighter 5th Generation iPad to Arrive in March 2013?

[Renzatic]

Jesus no one has to throw out their old gadgets just because a new one is in stores. My iPad still works great and I plan to keep it until the battery dies or there's something much more appealing. It's common sense -- don't buy unless you need.

You get out with your rational opinions! We don't need your kind here!

...but yeah, it's true. My iPad 3 works just as well as the day I bought it, and didn't suddenly become a hunk of useless junk the day the iPad 4 arrived. It's not like the next best thing coming out shortly after you bought the previous next best thing is a relatively new concept in the world of technology. If you've dabbled in the PC scene at all, it was practically one of life's little truths back in early 90's to early 2000's.

When it comes right down to it, there's no real reason to buy the newest spec bumped iPad/iPhone unless they offer a hugely compelling feature to make it worth the purchase (such as the iPhone 5's larger screen or iPad 3's retina display). Only a select few developers will aim their software at the highest end product in the line, considering the vast majority of the user base will still be using the older hardware. If anything, it's better to wait for the latest and greatest model to show up then buy the previous generation at a discount. It takes developers at least two generations before they start taking advantage of a particular revs hardware, so you're not losing anything by doing so.

 

[theSeb]

Oh you got an iPad for Christmas? Congratulations, it's now the old new new iPad.

And the one you bought in March? That's the old old new iPad.

Introducing.....the new new new iPad.

And coming in June: the new new new new iPad.

So what should Apple do? Not release new models whilst competitors do? Your old ipad will not stop working so there is no need to behave like a petulant child just because you won't have the latest

 

[dampfnudel]

Just received my iPad4,don't kill me apple.

Yeah, I thought Apple had shifted the iPad release from March to October so people who got an iPad for the holidays could enjoy the latest iPad for more than 3 months. Actually, I'm glad since I'm still waiting to buy my first iPad. The relative bulk of the first 4 generations and the non-retina mini were the reasons I didn't get one so far. It looks like 2013 will be the year the iPad I was waiting for arrives. Finally!!!

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Never said that, but have no problem saying an 11" iPad isn't going to happen for so many reasons. An 11" hybrid would be more practical, but who knows if it will ever happen.

Like I said, the tablet and laptop are on a collision course.

 

[xofruitcake]

Yeah, like at Christmas when they are buying presents.



You seem to think I think this, which I don't, so I'll ignore it.




For everyone that can't seem to grasp this simple concept:

The argument is not that Apple, and no one else, updates their products more than once a year; the argument is that Apple is destroying its own value of being the "easy" brand by confusing the hell out of consumers and making them weary of buying. It's really that simple.

Once Apple has lost the thing that makes them special, the thing that makes them worth more in consumers' eyes, then there is no need to pay for value the consumer no longer perceives.

It does not matter if the reason people devalue something is rational or not; all that matters is that they do it. And people do devalue a device they bought if a newer model is introduced even if it is introduced the very next day.

People are also weary of things that change too much. Especially when that change makes the thing they just bought instantly less valuable.

heh heh, if you believe you idea so much, go find a job in Apple and pitch the ideal to the decision maker. What you are describing is a behavior that work for monopoly i.e. you slow down your innovation to maximize your profit in a monopoly. Unfortunately Apple is in a hyper competitive niche of the mobile market. Holding off innovation is a suicidal. Have you ever see a firm in a competitive industry delay their innovation thinking that they can build their brand while it's competitor has the latest goodie? You destroy your brand faster than you competitor can..

 

[Awakener]

Yeah, like at Christmas when they are buying presents.



You seem to think I think this, which I don't, so I'll ignore it.




For everyone that can't seem to grasp this simple concept:

The argument is not that Apple, and no one else, updates their products more than once a year; the argument is that Apple is destroying its own value of being the "easy" brand by confusing the hell out of consumers and making them weary of buying. It's really that simple.

Once Apple has lost the thing that makes them special, the thing that makes them worth more in consumers' eyes, then there is no need to pay for value the consumer no longer perceives.

It does not matter if the reason people devalue something is rational or not; all that matters is that they do it. And people do devalue a device they bought if a newer model is introduced even if it is introduced the very next day.

People are also weary of things that change too much. Especially when that change makes the thing they just bought instantly less valuable.

There is some truth here. Many people switched from Microsoft to get away from constant hardware and software updates. Apples small share of supporters wanted something that would work even if it sometimes seemed behind the competition. Now Apple has entered the rat race.

 

[msimpson]

Grinch

I can see that a lot of folks did not get any brains from Santa for Christmas.

Some predictions having Apple selling 100 million iPads in 2013. The number of tablets sold or not sold to people who are posting to this thread are an insignificant drop in the bucket.

 

[Awakener]

I can see that a lot of folks did not get any brains from Santa for Christmas.

Some predictions having Apple selling 100 million iPads in 2013. The number of tablets sold or not sold to people who are posting to this thread are an insignificant drop in the bucket.

The people on this forum represent the biggest Apple enthusiasts. If a company loses its base it's done.

 

[Fofer]

You just need to be much richer to have the latest and greatest from Apple.

No, you just need to have higher self esteem, in order to not think that you need the latest and greatest from Apple in order to be a better/happier person.

 

[AppleScruff1]

My iPad 3 works just as well as the day I bought it, and didn't suddenly become a hunk of useless junk the day the iPad 4 arrived.

It did too. You know you want an iPad 4 but now you are waiting for the iPad 5.

 

[kazmac]

wow

If this happens, seems like it's a response to the massive sales of the iPad Mini. Lighter, thinner, etc.

After selling my 2nd iPad in a year, I realize I need a full blown computer if I need portable beyond the iPhone. Once the battery life and other tech improves in the laptops, I'll consider something then IF I need it.

If I was still in the iPad game, I'd be annoyed to have my new model rendered obsolete in a few months time. That said, I am curbing my Apple purchases until I am sure I am in market for something. Part of getting to that mindset was selling my iPad 3. A month later, I don't miss it at all.

 

[haruhiko]

No, you just need to have higher self esteem, in order to not think that you need the latest and greatest from Apple in order to be a better/happier person.

I must add a /s next time.

Nobody must have the latest and greatest. It's just a personal choice.

 

[Renzatic]

It did too. You know you want an iPad 4 but now you are waiting for the iPad 5.

Actually, I was first in line for the iPad 4, what with the 3 bursting into flames as soon as the new one was announced and all. I just keep telling people I've still got the 3 cuz I like trolling the board.

The iPad 3 kinda sucks now, but...you know...I'll do anything to FUD up Apple's image.

 

[Darth Stig]

Hurry up and ...wait

And here I was just about to replace my sluggish old iPad 1 with a 4!! Well, I'm not buying it only to have it replaced on the market with a better, lighter model in 3 months! It was bad enough they released the iPad 1 in early June 2010 in Australia, then replaced it with iPad 2 6 months later.

 

[spazza]

Iphone 5s on may and in november Iphone 6

Yes I agree it will be nice for those of us who bought the iPad 3. That is, buying on a yearly schedule. Even though personally I skipped the iPad 2.

However I don't think it will ever be a yearly scheduled update ever again. A year is simply too long in the industry now.

In the Android world the Samsung GS3 is the 2012 android phone of the year and really put Android back on the map for high end phones again. A year before that it was the GS2, but the incremental upgrades from all other manufacturers and models brought in a lot of revenue too. That is what Apple do not want to miss out on. They want to be on the cutting edge of what's possible and give that to their customers.

Yes you do have to be richer or smarter in selling your iDevices but at least the technology is progressing as fast as commercially viable. I was pissed when they announced the iPad 4, but have come to accept that's the way of the world now. Nothing anyone can do to change it.

Look at it like another income stream, those customers who upgrade annually will still only buy one iPhone a year, but those want the top iPhone now no matter what time it is they will get it too.

Apple are hoping to convert a lot of annual upgraders to biannual upgraders who can't resist the shininess. I got my shininess satisfied from a Galaxy Note 2. Still got my iPhone 4, which must seem like an ancient phone in the iWorld.

 

[MacSignal]

Lighter is overdue. Let's go already.

 

[Ramchi]

The boldfaced portion of your above comment equates an emotional response (being made fools of) with Apple releasing more products in a shorter time frame. Why would Apple's releasing a new iPad after you bought yours make you into a "fool"? Is there some high status associated with owning a "current" Apple product? Does that define you as a person?

I feel truly sad for the people who feel this way.

You are correct as well. People should not worry about what Apple does and how frequently it updates its product line such as iPad in this case. But do you see anywhere in this site where people detach emotion when they support or bash Apple or Google.

I only thank we all have emotions and that's very human nature, not all are enlightened souls

 

[Jibbajabba]

Amazing how many people complain. As if the current range has a timebomb built-in which makes them expire and you are forced to buy a new iDevice ...

Still happy with my 1st gen iPad

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I'd be annoyed to have my new model rendered obsolete in a few months time.

I'd agree if current models would simply stop working - which they don't ..

 

[8ate8]

Amazing how many people complain. As if the current range has a timebomb built-in which makes them expire and you are forced to buy a new iDevice ...

Still happy with my 1st gen iPad

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I'd agree if current models would simply stop working - which they don't ..

The issue is this:

1) Apple releases a new faster, more powerful device with more memory and better graphics.
2) Developers realize this, and update their apps to support better hardware.
3) You're "perfectly fine" last generation device quickly no longer supports the newest apps because they aren't optimized for your device.

Whereas if Apple didn't release a new model every 6 months, your device would support that SAME EXACT APP for a much longer time period, because developers wouldn't be updating to support a newer device.

If all you did was download all your apps on day 1 and never update them, then of course your last generation device wouldn't "simply stop working", but the problem is developers want to support the latest and greatest, and your device becomes obsolete quicker.

I stopped using my first gen iPad about 6 months ago because about 30% of the apps I had just crashed on it (it was only TWO generations old at that point). My device wasn't the latest and greatest, so developers weren't optimizing their apps to run on it.

The simple fact is, if Apple switches to a 6 month development cycle, it will make devices obsolete at a faster pace.

 

[blackcrayon]

The issue is this:

1) Apple releases a new faster, more powerful device with more memory and better graphics.
2) Developers realize this, and update their apps to support better hardware.
3) You're "perfectly fine" last generation device quickly no longer supports the newest apps because they aren't optimized for your device.

Whereas if Apple didn't release a new model every 6 months, your device would support that SAME EXACT APP for a much longer time period, because developers wouldn't be updating to support a newer device.

Of course, it's pretty rare that developers completely drop support for an older device this quickly. They certainly don't usually drop support any faster than Apple (for example when iOS no longer gets updated for the older device)- and usually do so more slowly. I think you're exaggerating this effect a bit. If anything, the first generation iPad is the exception - with only 256 megs of RAM but the need to fulfill resource hungry "tablet" duties, it was bound to have a shorter life span.

 

[mjsully19]

So do I buy now or wait? Help!!!

What a conundrum! Should I buy a 4th gen iPad now or wait for a possible 5th gen or even a possible iPad mini 2 with retina display in March? What say the masses?

 

[Chataupiano]

The issue is this:

1) Apple releases a new faster, more powerful device with more memory and better graphics.
2) Developers realize this, and update their apps to support better hardware.
3) You're "perfectly fine" last generation device quickly no longer supports the newest apps because they aren't optimized for your device.

Whereas if Apple didn't release a new model every 6 months, your device would support that SAME EXACT APP for a much longer time period, because developers wouldn't be updating to support a newer device.

If all you did was download all your apps on day 1 and never update them, then of course your last generation device wouldn't "simply stop working", but the problem is developers want to support the latest and greatest, and your device becomes obsolete quicker.

I stopped using my first gen iPad about 6 months ago because about 30% of the apps I had just crashed on it (it was only TWO generations old at that point). My device wasn't the latest and greatest, so developers weren't optimizing their apps to run on it.

The simple fact is, if Apple switches to a 6 month development cycle, it will make devices obsolete at a faster pace.

Actually the only apps that need the latest and greatest are high-end games. If that's your main usage of your device, I guess you have a reason to complain. Me I never game on my device and all my day-to-day apps work fine on the iPad 2.

Edit: i'd have to add that Pages and iBooks are pretty slow

 

[AppleScruff1]

What a conundrum! Should I buy a 4th gen iPad now or wait for a possible 5th gen or even a possible iPad mini 2 with retina display in March? What say the masses?

Wait. And don't buy the iPad 5 either, because in the fall the iPad 6 will be coming out. I'm still running a 486sx processor. Every time I'm ready to buy, something better gets announced.

 

[dampfnudel]

What a conundrum! Should I buy a 4th gen iPad now or wait for a possible 5th gen or even a possible iPad mini 2 with retina display in March? What say the masses?

Normally, I would say if you wait for the next big thing in tech, you'll be waiting forever. However, after 4 generations of basically the same, bulky design, the iPad is thisclose to a major redesign which will make the iPad 1-4 look like bricks or as I see them, heavy digital photo frames. We can already see a smaller version of the iPad 5 in the stores, it's called the iPad mini, which by the way will get the retina display it deserves next year.

So I say wait, this time it will definitely be worth it. I'm waiting.

 

[hasanahmad]

Apple should stop focusing on hardware design for a while and shift focus on software design. since 2006, its the 6th consecutive year of relatively the same UI and design. It worked well in 2006 but others have caught up and gone beyond what Apple did in 2006. iOS 6 will likely be my last iOS device if the useability of other designs is not implemented by iOS 7. I don't think this is my sentiment alone, this is a sentiment of millions of iOS users who are quickly finding out they like other platforms better than iOS not just in features but in convenience and simplicity as well.

 

[irDigital0l]

Apple should stop focusing on hardware design for a while and shift focus on software design. since 2006, its the 6th consecutive year of relatively the same UI and design. It worked well in 2006 but others have caught up and gone beyond what Apple did in 2006. iOS 6 will likely be my last iOS device if the useability of other designs is not implemented by iOS 7. I don't think this is my sentiment alone, this is a sentiment of millions of iOS users who are quickly finding out they like other platforms better than iOS not just in features but in convenience and simplicity as well.

Also I wouldn't mind if they released iOS 7 in the summer compared to the fall.