“If Apple releases a smaller, less expensive iPad this September, a new analysis suggests it could be a big success with schools under budget constraints, and students looking for a lighter, more portable iPad,” Neil Hughes reports for AppleInsider.
“Analyst Brian White said in a note to investors on Tuesday that he has continued to hear on his trip to Taiwan that Apple plans to launch a so-called ‘iPad mini’ this September,” Hughes reports. “White began to sound the drum for a September release on Monday, when he revealed that supply chain sources indicated Apple is gearing up for what could prove to be an ‘exciting’ month.”
Hughes reports, “White believes that schools under budget constraints who cannot afford the current entry-level $399 iPad 2 might show interest in a smaller iPad. He also believes that some students might prefer to carry around a smaller and lighter iPad for classes.”
Read more in the full article here.
Related articles:
RUMOR: LG Display, AU Optronics have passed certification for ‘iPad mini’ LCD panels – May 17, 2012
Apple’s forthcoming 7.85-inch iPad to use ‘G/F2′ thin-film touch tech, say sources – May 15, 2012
New ‘iPad mini’ could be another right move from Apple – May 11, 2012
7.85-inch iPad on track for October 2012 release; to cost $199-$249, says source – May 10, 2012
Rumors swirl of smaller iPad that Steve Jobs supposedly detested – April 22, 2012
Analyst: Apple ‘iPad mini’ release a ‘question of when, not if’ – April 17, 2012
Apple to launch ‘iPad mini’ in third quarter this year, report claims – April 16, 2012
Gruber: 7.85-inch iPad still in testing in Apple labs – April 5, 2012
Apple reportedly lining up suppliers for 7.85-inch Apple iPad mini – March 5, 2012
Please let this stupid rumour die. Repeat after me, “There will be no small tablets from Apple.”
… and where did you get YOUR stupid rumour?
From Steve Jobs himself.
Channeling him, are ya’?
I’d recheck your history 3I3c7ro… Steve Jobs also stated there would never be video on an iPod. He contradicted himself many times to the benefit of Apple.
Here’s Tim Cook talking about it:
http://allthingsd.com/20120529/steve-jobs-was-an-awesome-flip-flopper-says-tim-cook/
Please note that Steve Jobs himself stated he finally cracked the television and you are adamant about that not happening either. I’d pick a stance and run with it if I was you rather than picking the parts you like and don’t like and spewing out your constant drivel of what’s not happening.
(You’re bound to be right one of these days by incessantly saying “not gonna happen”, but on these two instances I think you are wrong… we’ll see.)
Steve Jobs also said at All Things Digital that the tablet would not be successful.
And there you go…
If Steve had seen a “retina” display 7.85″ iPod Supertouch, he would have changed his mind.
With all due respect correctu, I refer you to this item on today’s MDN: http://wp.me/p19WFc-lzN where there are several charts and a good analysis about how Apple currently has done the Kindle Fire some big hurt. I ask why would Apple introduce a mini iPad if its numbers are so strong with its current design? Since the Fire was the biggest competitor and came in the mini size, it’s a market that I don’t think Apple would want to currently expand into. Of course, I’m not channeling anyone; that’s just my own SWAG (scientific wild-add guess).
I’m not concerned one way or the other. I just hope that Apple continues to get things right.
Per the chart you refer to, Apple has 73% of the “tablet” market. The other 27% can be had with a smaller sized tablet 😉
I agree. Also, people think $350 is too much for a school but are thinking of their wallets. Schools look to spend a million minimum and get special deals from Apple, machines “leased” with service and a buy at the end kind of package.
Govt and people….. NOT THE SAME…
Just a thought,
en
“Think different”. This is a Apple TV remote / game control / TV FaceTime control device. (It also, sucks the life out of Amazon’s e-reader.)
Oh, yeah, a September release makes total sense. Release the device by the time school’s already in session and budget money has already been spent. Uhhh huhh…
September release works for xmas shopping season but is too late for education markets.
I don’t understand the logic of those who say NO to a smaller iPad. Too small to read with? I’ve been reading books on an iPod Touch for months, and would love a 7.85″ iPad.
And it would be a Kindle Fire killer.
The Kindle Fire has already been killed. http://wp.me/p19WFc-lzN
Me too. The iPhone is best at 4″ because it’s a *phone* and needs to be easily operated one-handed by people large and small, whereas an iPod touch with a 5+” screen would be great as a pocketable device for reading, music and casual gaming (not as an alternative to the 10″ iPad media and lightweight computing device).
This is really an illogical argument. The iPad would not be a very good educational device at a smaller size, and the idea that it would be an instant hit if it was just smaller and cheaper is baseless. It’s really just barely big enough now for many functional purposes. Apple may decide to make a smaller iPad, but the obsession that they do is ridiculous.
While I do doubt that apple will launch a smaller sized iPad anytime this year or even first half of 2013. I can’t agree with the “smaller screen size doesn’t work arguement” anyone that has been gullible enough to fall for this quote simply doesn’t understand anything about GUIs. If apple wants to make a smaller iPad they can and will. It isn’t difficult to have a smaller screen with the interface elements remaining similar or identical to the iPad. Also the interface elements on the iPhone are smaller than the iPad and these work just fine. So that argument is useless. On the other hand I don’t see apple making an attempt anytime soon to cannibalize a market they already dominate. It’s going to take another 2 years for any competitors to try and catch up in features and sales.
The problem isn’t that it isn’t possible to have a user interface that works on a smaller iPad. The problem is that Apple has just spent a lot of time and money promoting textbooks that are formatted specifically for the existing iPad screen. To display those books on a smaller screen, either (1) the print has to be scaled down (ever try to read 7-point type?), (2) the screen will have to be scrolled back and forth to read each line, or (3) the authors will be expected to produce separate versions for each size of device (possible, but awkward to use in a classroom setting where students might be using both sizes, and therefore using books with completely different pagination). It is simply a lot easier to scale up (i.e., using iPhone apps on an iPad) than down (i.e., trying to cram more useable information into the same space). That’s not to say it’s impossible, but it isn’t the trivial task that most of these analysts project.
They already have this device it’s called the iPod touch, and it typically is revved in September.
They can buy the iPad mini when they purchase the iPhone nano.
Really, just because you reduce the screen size does not mean you reduce the cost of the product that much. Basically all that is less are the screen components, case, and battery. All of the other parts are the same, including production and shipping costs, but now you have added additional engineering for the smaller unit plus additional sales, storage, and other costs.
An iPad mini would not cost $199 or less like these analysts seem to think. Amazon has to sell its 7″ tablet at a loss, and it scavenged engineering and parts from RIM’s PlayBook leftovers to save money.
Finally someone else sees the lack of logic. For those who insist on having a tablet that is half the size of the iPad, just cover up one half and use it like that.
You’re both idiots.
Half the size of an iPad would be around 5″.. we’re talking 7.85″… Great “logic” you’re working with…
I imagine for Apple a $299 price point for an iPad mini would be quite feasible.
$199 iPod touch 4″
$299 iPad mini 7.85″
$399 iPad 2 – 10″
$499 “new” iPad – 10″
^ this would cover all the price points and customer needs.
Just because you don’t want it doesn’t mean there isn’t a market for it. Think about the education market and gifts for kids as an example. People saying this rumored product isn’t fitting for reading are mentally challenged and have never read a paperback novel obviously.
Sure are quick with the name calling there ‘wrongu’. A 7″ device has only about 45% of the area of the 10″ iPad. Your math skills seem to have left out the width or the length.
I think that if you are going to start calling names with such a modest intellect that you must have a very ample dermis.
Regardless, I stand by the term “idiot” for ya, 3I3c7doh!
A smaller tablet form would be a net positive for Apple and you can’t see that.
Amazing stand to take after that posting.
Apple should drop the price of the 10 inch iPad, after introducing a new 12″ iPad, smaller screen size no way.
Interesting how two articles sit right on top of each other:
“Apple’s massive domination of tablet market unabated as Amazon’s tiny screen Kindle Fire demand tumbles”
“Analyst expects September launch of Apple’s ‘iPad mini’ to boost education sales”
So, we keep seeing small tablet devices fail miserably in the market, regardless of their attractive price. Meanwhile, the only meaningful competition from non-iPads seems to keep coming from the iPad-sized Android devices.
In other words, Apple seems to have nailed the size with the iPad. And Steve seems to have been right about the small screen (nobody wants it, not even at less than half the price of the iPad).
We’ll have to wait and see. If Apple were ever to go back on what Steve said and offer a small iPad, they would clearly have to figure out how to overcome the reasons why small size simply isn’t selling. Obviously, if anyone at all can do that, Apple can, but the main question is, can it be done at all?
It sure can.. the reason the other tablet makers are flailing at that size is because they don’t have iOS. Simple as that.
I know quite of few Android tablet owners that only care about price. (and they LOVE their 7″ Android tablets btw.) A smaller iPad with a resultant cheaper price would have fit their needs perfectly.
Keep in mind the iPod touch is selling quite fine with a 3 1/2″ screen.
iPad mini, 4″ iPhone, I don’t think Apple wants to compete on fragmentation with Google. Latest news is that Kindle Fire sales are tumbling. Why try to neutralize Amazon with an iPad mini when it’s not necessary. Analyst bullshit. That’s what it is.
while I also doubt the new iPad mini is coming anytime this year. The talks of a 16:9 iPhone ratio would mean Apple is working on a 16:9 iPad as well. Now if someone can dig up evidence of a 7″ retina display with a 16:9 ratio then we might be in for a surprise.
GAWD, am I sick of this stupid Apple rumor.
…it could be a big success with schools under budget constraints, and students looking for a lighter, more portable iPad
Apple ALREADY have a lighter, more portable iPad. It’s called the iPod Touch. Starting price: $199.
If it’s all in the name, who’s not to say a 7.85″ iOS device wouldn’t be an iPod touch XL? Starting price: $299 for more than twice the screen real estate.
If the new iPhone is 4″ and has a aspect ratio of 16:9 and existing 7″ displays also have the same 16:9 aspect ratio why wouldn’t they make a 7″ iPad or iOS device to say the least. If you compare the iPad 2 at 132PPI and other 7″ inch Displays at 133 PPI you’ll see that it’s plausible for Apple to turn around and double the 800×480
resolution like they did with the third gen iPad have a 1600×960 display and it still fits into the scheme of things developer wise as the iPhone is already 960 pixels tall.
Taking into account the fresh market water recently poured on the FIRE — possibly a smaller price for a larger size may make more sense for the education market. Obviously, something will have to give at lower price points, but Apple has a track record of making it happen …
The $399 iPad is about as cheap as it gets for a quality device. In the past, even a cheap Windows laptop would cost around that much for schools. I personally think that the current iPad’s size would be perfect for students rather than some 7″ tablet. I do think there’s a place for a 7″ iPad, but I can’t see it being a high-selling product unless the price is really low. I hope Apple doesn’t do it and only increases the size of the iPod Touch’s display to around 4″ or so.