Why Apple's 7.85-Inch 'iPad Mini' Isn't a 7-Inch Tablet

[Digital Skunk]

Similar comments were made about the iPad before it launched. Most people thought it would cost 1000$ or more. And a lot of people still expected it to fail even at 500$ once it launched.

I would agree, but seeing how the Nexus 7 is all but sold at cost I don't see Apple putting together a product with better materials, a larger screen, and more flare for the same or less.

Unless Apple is willing to sell at a loss, or they work out some ridiculous deals with manufacturers.

- Galaxy Note or similar phone with unbreakable screen (still fitting a standard shirt pocket).
- A4-sized iPad

That's what's needed.

Agreed! I said the same thing just before the latest iPod Touch was released. The iPod Touch and iPhone just beg for a larger screen.

 

[mex4eric]

I remember when people argued that no one wanted a tablet and it was a dumb idea and look how many they have sold. so my opinion on the smaller is no matter what people say they would sell a crapload of them and thats what matters. I know i would buy one for at least 4 family members that enjoy the simplicity of tablets compared to computers. on an ipad if they get confused or dont understand whats going on they can just press the home button and all is right with the world again. my parents are afraid of computers because they are always afraid they will screw them up or delete the wrong thing. not so with tablets. being able to just press the home button when they get lost is huge.

I agree with 90% of this. If Apple offers this it will sell more than the regular iPad, as it will be cheaper and easier to handle and use. I expect bezel to be same or proportional to the standard iPad.

Small quibble. Unfortunately many apps have memory so hitting the Home button only gets you out temporarily. If you re-enter the app you are usually back where you got into trouble. At least you can then use another app until a slightly more knowledgeable family member can help you out of the first problem.

 

[laxic]

Hi - I'm just curious what hand size you have -- as in glove size.

I have a Kindle Touch too, and don't have a bit of trouble holding it -- I actually consider the side bezels much wider than needed.
By the way, the Kindle device is just about exactly the same width as the 7.85 mini screen.

Is there a glove size that comes in "man?"
Honestly I don't know what it is, though I would say I have fairly large hands. Perhaps I'm just "holding it wrong."

 

[striven]

Forward not backward

You can be sure the 7inch, if and when it comes out, will include retina. Apple ain't going to step backwards.

 

[Lancer]

It makes you wonder. A great deal of the 7" tablet appeal was for an extremely small, light, and portable e-reader. Will making the iPad Mini 40% larger than these 7" tablets actually take away from this appeal?

I think it will help, especially the 40% larger screen area. While 16x9 is great for movies and TV shows. 4x3 is much better in a portable device for just about every thing else.

I don't mind black bars when it comes to my iPhone.

And in the end it's only marginally wider than the 7" ones.

 

[50548]

Without Steve everything is possible...

Yes, everything INCLUDING failing miserably. I've said it before and I'm gonna say it again: a 7" iPad is as (ir)relevant as a 27" iPhone.

If this happens, it's clear proof that Cook, with his limited visionary skills, is about to start on the same fragmentation and pandering (to stupid advice) path that almost killed Apple some 16 years ago...short it while you can.

 

[Arelunde]

I'll buy this just to use in my car - gps etc. - cd slot mount
the iphone is TOO small
and the current pad to huge.

I agree with this totally. I'm REALLY looking forward to an iPad mini - whatever configuration they come up with. I love my iPad2, but it's bulky and not small/light enough to carry everywhere. It's also heavy enough to make it difficult to hold while reading for any length of time - it needs to be propped up.

The iPhone is way too small for most uses and especially web access. Now that I have an iPad, I hardly use any of the apps on the iPhone ... not enough real estate for intensive use as a super-mini computer. I'm thinking, if 4G enabled on a mini-iPad, VoIP might take over cell phones for communication.

Also, I agree with those who see the need for a bezel of some dimension so you can hold the device. IMO, this is why the iPhone allegedly isn't going much wider - it's a one-hand-held device - or supposed to be.

Have there been any rumors about WHEN this mini-iPad might show up?

 

[dlewis23]

If Apple do release this iPad mini, I would bet all the money I have that it WILL be retina.

Apple would be smart to keep it 1024x768 because then developers have to do nothing to there apps for them to work on the new device.

But...

If they did choose to do retina they would have to do it at 2048x1536. Creating a 3rd resolution is just no good. And that many pixels in a 7" display. IDK...

 

[RobertMartens]

If they can offer a smaller iPad at $250 they'll retain their major lead in the tablet market for the foreseeable future.

...because until now Apple's Strategy has been flawed. But this will correct everything!

----------

I agree with this totally. I'm REALLY looking forward to an iPad mini - whatever configuration they come up with. I love my iPad2, but it's bulky and not small/light enough to carry everywhere. It's also heavy enough to make it difficult to hold while reading for any length of time - it needs to be propped up.

You know they released the iPad 3?

 

[Litany]

It isn't a a 7-Inch Tablet, its a 7-Inch iPod Touch.

 

[knucklehead]

Is there a glove size that comes in "man?"
Honestly I don't know what it is, though I would say I have fairly large hands. Perhaps I'm just "holding it wrong."

Thanks.
Yeah - Everybody's got their own preferred way of doing things

 

[divinox]

Apple would be smart to keep it 1024x768 because then developers have to do nothing to there apps for them to work on the new device.

But...

If they did choose to do retina they would have to do it at 2048x1536. Creating a 3rd resolution is just no good. And that many pixels in a 7" display. IDK...

Well, Apple might have to break out of their little box sooner or later anyway, creating a model less dependent on exact ratios and resolutions. Personally, i would prefer if Apple went 16:9. Well, 16:10 would perhaps be even better, at least for computing purposes, but that i see as less likely. Well, that or going well below 7" to truly make the device portable: a 7.85" 4:3 with a wide bezel is quite the monster still. Really can't see that being the sweet spot to hit, and i think they would be stupid going for it only to "scale down the iPad".

Heck, not being able to scale down could be easily be turned into benefits: e.g., iPad apps would remain just iPad apps. This makes for less cannibalization as the larger of the two would have something the smaller does not. Plus, dont think scaling down will be that great in terms of UX anyway.

If iPhone 5 goes 16:9, they dont have to worry about having apps either.

 

[MattInOz]

I hate Apple's bezels with a fervent passion.

They even goes as far as showing the iPad being held in worst way to justify it.

 

[divinox]

I think it will help, especially the 40% larger screen area. While 16x9 is great for movies and TV shows. 4x3 is much better in a portable device for just about every thing else.

I don't mind black bars when it comes to my iPhone.

And in the end it's only marginally wider than the 7" ones.

...except portability. and that "marginal increase in width" may indeed be the deal killer. Things sticking out of a pocket is less of an issue than things not going into it at all.

 

[PinkyMacGodess]

I'm betting it's an iPod Touch upgrade rather than an iPad downgrade...

 

[fertilized-egg]

It isn't a a 7-Inch Tablet, its a 7-Inch iPod Touch.

It's an 8-Inch iPad.

 

[ObjectiveV]

I don't believe this...damn apple...where is innovation? stop with small increment and start using your vision.

EDIT: Apparently, some loser got offended because I was telling the truth. Truth hurts, little boy.

I'd like to think the downvotes are for non-constructive criticism. (I may be overestimating people though)

 

[fertilized-egg]

I would agree, but seeing how the Nexus 7 is all but sold at cost I don't see Apple putting together a product with better materials, a larger screen, and more flare for the same or less.

Unless Apple is willing to sell at a loss, or they work out some ridiculous deals with manufacturers.

If there's anybody who can make a cheap tablet in aluminium, it's Apple because they have so much experience and manufacturing investment done already.

I'm sure Asus is making some money out of Nexus 7. It's just that Google is not charging any profit on top. If Asus can make that for $200, I don't see why Apple cannot make a $250 tablet.

 

[SpyderBite]

if gruber is saying its possible than its most likely coming. he doesn't usually speak up unless he knows for sure its coming.

I didn't realize Gruber worked for Apple in Cupertino and was not bound to a NDA like the rest of the company.

 

[scottsjack]

Does any thinking person really care if the new iPad is really a 7 inch tablet or not? It's really a little yet powerful toy computer that can perform a surprising amount of fun or work. Just like the iPad and iPhone.

 

[Mr. Milk]

I think the article is pretty reasonable. There are also some rumors that the iPad Mini would be produced in Brazil, which makes even more sense to me.

Foxconn was supposed to have a huge tax advantage from Brazilian government to build a plant over here. I have also heard that the government would cut taxes so much that tablets would be the most popular gadget over here (especially in schools). So far, nothing has been officially announced, although they are already making Brazilian iPhones (see below).

Brazil has one of the higher tax rates in the world. For you to have an idea: our currency, Real (R$) equals to US$ 2.00. Now look at the Apple local prices:

MacBook Air 11" R$ 3.700,00 = US$ 1,850.00 (85% higher than USA)
MacBook Air 13" R$ 5.000,00 = US$ 2,500.00 (108% higher than USA)
The New iPad 16Gb Wifi Only R$ 1.550,00 = US$ 775.00 (93% higher than USA)
iPhone 4S 16Gb R$ 2.000,00 = US$ 1,000.00 (54% higher) *
iPhone 4 8Gb R$ 1.500,00 = US$ 750.00 (N/A) *
iPhone 3GS 8Gb R$ 1.000,00 = US$ 500.00 (N/A) *

* Brazilian law forces phone companies to unlock any phone, whether you have a contract or not. That's why those prices are lower if compared to the unlocked phones in the US.

Notice that there is a "iPhone 4 8Gb" manufactured in Brazil. I'm not aware of any other market with this product. So, that must have happened in order to cut the price (and it is selling a lot).

There are many cheap tablets in Brazil. Samsung Galaxy Tab 7" (which is not at all the cheapest) is R$ 1.000,00 = US$ 500,00 (so, iPad is 55% more expensive). Now most people want a tablet. They don't have a clue of which one (Bezel, what is that? Retina? What a tablet has to do with my eyeball?). But they do look carefully at the prices.

So, I do think they may come up with a slighter simpler product (no retina, for example) and with taxes cut have something like a US$ 150.00/200.00 product. If Brazilian government further cut taxes for end-users that would definitely turn it into a very attractive deal. Maybe Apple's plan is just trying a "light" product in emerging markets first (like with the iPhone 4 8Gb).

Mr. Milk

 

[qwerter]

And iOS WAS intended for devices larger than phones!? I feel like I am missing a crucial piece of information here.

My understanding is that the touch interface they're using was originally designed for tablets, then they decided to use it on a phone.

 

[MattInOz]

My understanding is that the touch interface they're using was originally designed for tablets, then they decided to use it on a phone.

Didn't iOS started life as a Skunkworks project within the webkit team called safari pad. Although it seems some of the team got pissed off when SJ found it and retasked it to make the iPhone. Moving to Palm, so PalmOS maybe be closer to the original intention of Safari Pad than the iPad ended up as.

 

[Mr. Gates]

Can't wait to see some dude at a coffee shop with his Macbook, iPod touch, iPhone, iPad and now an additional iPad mini all sprawled out pretending to be doing something.

Please god, make him spill his coffee so I can watch him run to get napkins then trip on his charger and knock everything on to the ground so I can sit there and enjoy the show.

Anyhoo....

8 inch iPad for traveling would be nice.

If battery life is the same I'll pick one up for Mother. She's always exploring the world.

 

[Datalinks]

4/3 is ideal for displaying all types of content...we are not watching widescreen movies all the time. i wish they would keep the same proportions on iphone 5 ...it would allow for a larger keyboard too.