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iPad mini: Now may not be the time

Wednesday, October 3, 2012 · 12:55 pm · 51 Comments

“The furor over the iPhone 5’s launch has started to die down, but the rumor mill can only be sated temporarily,” Dan Moren writes for Macworld.

“Whispers have been swelling that Apple plans to introduce a smaller iPad—an iPad mini, they say—with a 7.85-inch screen,” Moren writes. “And now that speculation has a date attached to it: October 10 is rumored to be the day when Apple will issue invitations for a mid-month press event where it will announce its new tablet.”

Moren writes, “That date is all too soon. But while I think it’s likely that Apple will produce a smaller iPad at some point, I don’t think that point is here yet.”

Read more in the full article here.

Related articles:
iPad mini component leak suggests iPhone 5-like design – October 3, 2012
a href=”http://macdailynews.com/2012/10/02/why-apples-ipad-mini-may-go-169-like-iphone-5/”>Why Apple’s iPad Mini may go 16:9, like iPhone 5 – October 2, 2012
RUMOR: Apple to send out iPad mini invitations on October 10th for October 17 special event – October 2, 2012

Categories: News

Tags: Dan Moren, iPad, iPad mini, iPad mini launch, iPad mini launch date

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Comment Feed

51 Comments

Chester Cheeth

Wednesday, October 3, 2012 - 1:02 pm · Reply

There’s no such thing as an iPad “mini” and there never will be. It’s the invention of numerous journalists. It will never happen.
- DJ
  
  Wednesday, October 3, 2012 - 1:24 pm · Reply
  
  Hope you’re wrong – there’s a whole bunch of creatives sitting around here gagging for one…
- montex
  
  Wednesday, October 3, 2012 - 1:25 pm · Reply
  
  I disagree. There is good evidence for the existence of an iPad mini, although I hope that’s not what it’s called.
  - 0zzie9O3
    
    Wednesday, October 3, 2012 - 2:13 pm · Reply
    
    +1
    The article cited by MDN and Chester have no clue. When the WSJ prints an Apple rumor, it came from Apple.
  - leodavinci1
    
    Wednesday, October 3, 2012 - 7:40 pm · Reply
    
    I’m not particularly fond of calling it the iPad Mini, but that would be much less confusing to consumers than iPad Air or (even worse) iPad Touch.
    - Clasqm
      
      Thursday, October 4, 2012 - 6:59 am · Reply
      
      IPad Touch would be a tautology, like Macbook Keyboard.
  - Radio Moscow
    
    Wednesday, October 3, 2012 - 8:42 pm · Reply
    
    I have hard evidence there is no ipad mini
    There is no price point!
- Cubert
  
  Wednesday, October 3, 2012 - 1:34 pm · Reply
  
  Yes there is and it will be huge in the medical field.
  
  The biggest evidence for an iPad mini coming out this month? Jim Dalrymple’s “yep”.
  - Arnold Ziffel
    
    Wednesday, October 3, 2012 - 1:53 pm · Reply
    
    I think Jim gave us his “yep” back in August, and he has been strangely silent (along with John Gruber) since then.
    - 0zzie9O3
      
      Wednesday, October 3, 2012 - 2:15 pm · Reply
      
      Well, there is only the one iPad mini. Should Jim say yep yep yep, or is one enough?
      
      There’s an iPad mini, for sure. Those who say otherwise don’t know sh*t.
- dangcookie
  
  Wednesday, October 3, 2012 - 2:07 pm · Reply
  
  You would be wrong, sir.
- spyintheskyuk
  
  Wednesday, October 3, 2012 - 5:33 pm · Reply
  
  I’ve ical’d that on my iPad mini pre production model.
- edward
  
  Wednesday, October 3, 2012 - 9:28 pm · Reply
  
  have you even red newspapers? manufacture is already started in Brazil. there are also few cases out in the market. it’s actually confirmed by WSJ. but I am not positive on sale. if apple will fail to adjust the price point, their lovely new ipod touch sale will hurt badly. right now, there is no way apple could sell it around $299. it’s too late. they shouldn’t make ipad mini. 7 inch market is already a big domination by android. the game is changed. apple can’t compete here.
  - quiviran
    
    Thursday, October 4, 2012 - 3:52 pm · Reply
    
    My newspapers are black and white and READ allover.
Ballmer's left nut

Wednesday, October 3, 2012 - 1:11 pm · Reply

I can cite a thousand reasons why now would be a good time but I’ll leave you with a couple:

- It’s the Christmas season – the season where Apple traditionally makes its highest sales. Why forego this window when the hardware is ready to roll.

- They could do a combination launch with the iMac and Mac mini refresh, which is long overdue.

- iTunes 11 is due in October. While there is no strong correlation between iTunes 11 and the iPad mini, why was it not released during the iPhone 5 launch?

The iPad mini fills the niche that Apple maps created – in car navigation tool – and creates a network effect for the purchase of apps and bringing in consumers at a lower, more affordable price level than the iPad without sacrificing too much in terms of screen space.

And lastly, it’s pocketable and light. Light enough to carry around with you on your daily commute.
- iFan
  
  Wednesday, October 3, 2012 - 1:23 pm · Reply
  
  BLN – I agree with all of your points except – “more affordable”. Price point is exactly what I struggle with every time I read about an iPad mini. What would you price it at?
  
  I think to be a true contender, it has to be priced in the iPod touch range … a range that is already filled by the iPod touch in the Apple product matrix. And not much lower than the iPad.
  
  It’s really hard to compete against Apple, even if you’re Apple … priced the same as an iPod touch – you cannablize the iPod touch market. Priced the same as an iPad – why would anyone want to pay the same for smaller?
  
  I would seriously consider replacing my current iPad with an iPad mini – I like the size described much better (and no I don’t think I’d need to sand my fingers down to use it – they handle typing on the much smaller iPhone just fine!)
  
  I would also add to your list of reasons why – There exists a market for children. Cheaper and smaller is the perfect mix for people to buy it for their kids.
  - Ballmer's left nut
    
    Wednesday, October 3, 2012 - 1:39 pm · Reply
    
    I forgot about the children’s market. Yes, that would make a very compelling case for the iPad mini – educational use.
    
    I think the price point will be at $299 for 16GB Wi-Fi only. Apple can make the distinction between that and the iPod touch by saying that the iPod touch (5th generation) starts at $299 for 32GB. The amount of storage could be the distinguishing factor.
    
    Besides the iPad market is on the ascendancy and the iPod market, including the touch, is on the decline. I don’t think Apple will mind potential iPod touch customers buying the iPad because the money ends up with Apple anyway which expands sales, rather than see sales dripping away to nothing over time by competitors nipping at their heels.
    - feral
      
      Wednesday, October 3, 2012 - 1:49 pm · Reply
      
      you’re a right nut sometimes
    - iFan
      
      Wednesday, October 3, 2012 - 5:54 pm · Reply
      
      2 excellent points by BLN & Cubert (below)!
      
      iPad mini 16Gb at the same cost of iPod touch 32Gb. That would make sense. And that’s very marketable.
      
      As well, give a memory or spec bump to the iPad to justify the slight higher cost there.
      
      I’m sold! Now all I need to know is when I can get my hands on one!!
  - Cubert
    
    Wednesday, October 3, 2012 - 1:40 pm · Reply
    
    Totally agree on the price conundrum. Unless they release a spec-bumped iPad (remember there is no longer any numbering system to fret about) at a slightly higher price target and keep the old iPad 3.
    - Ballmer's left nut
      
      Wednesday, October 3, 2012 - 1:46 pm · Reply
      
      The price point of the iPod touch (5h generation) and iPad mini can coincide (at $299) without any problems because they each address a different market segment – one is a portable music player while the other is a scaled down tablet.
      
      A fully optioned BMW 3 series with a high capacity engine reaches into the price point of a lower optioned 5 series, yet they address different market segments.
      - Arnold Ziffel
        
        Wednesday, October 3, 2012 - 2:01 pm · Reply
        
        Not to pick specifically on you, BLN, but am I the only person who gets tired of seeing the term “price point” used to refer to the “price”? Every price I’ve ever seen for a product was a “point”.
        
        Ballmer's left nut
        
        Wednesday, October 3, 2012 - 2:04 pm · Reply
        
        Using too many car salesman analogies I know. But what to do, I am the left nut of a former car salesman after all.
        
        iFan
        
        Wednesday, October 3, 2012 - 5:50 pm · Reply
        
        The term “price point” refers to an aspect of marketing. There is a tipping point on the price of any product where if the price is too high, you’ll lose X% of business because of perceived lack of value. And conversely if the price is too low, Y% of people will think it’s “junk” and unworthy of purchase. I’m sure Apple has made price point analysis a science by this time.
- Derek Currie
  
  Wednesday, October 3, 2012 - 7:27 pm · Reply
  
  it’s pocketable and light… Like my iPod Touch!
  - Derek Currie
    
    Wednesday, October 3, 2012 - 7:31 pm · Reply
    
    it’s pocketable and light… If you’re Captain Kangaroo:
    
    Captain Kangaroo Pockets
    - Derek Currie
      
      Wednesday, October 3, 2012 - 7:34 pm · Reply
      
      it’s pocketable and light… If you have a giant pocket t-shirt:
      
      GIANT POCKET shirt
FTB

Wednesday, October 3, 2012 - 1:13 pm · Reply

just wait.

Apple will unleash a smaller iPad, and it will be 7.84″ not the 7.85 the “journalists” are talking about… and they will bash Apple for not meeting consumer demands. Or it will be 7.35″ and they will be mad at Apple for misleading them. It will be Apple’s fault due to a typo from the Chinese “source”
- Cubert
  
  Wednesday, October 3, 2012 - 1:37 pm · Reply
kestrel1960

Wednesday, October 3, 2012 - 1:19 pm · Reply

I have said since Day1 that I cannot see Apple launching a smaller product which will effectively compete against the iPad. I maintain that view.
- thethirdshoe
  
  Wednesday, October 3, 2012 - 1:35 pm · Reply
  
  Will you buy one when it comes out?
  - kestrel1960
    
    Monday, February 4, 2013 - 5:22 pm · Reply
    
    Well what can I say? When I’m wrong I admit I’m wrong. They did it didn’t they?
    Having seen & used one I have to admit I’m impressed. And I still think sales of of the 10″ ipad will suffer as a result.
    @thethirdshoe I have iPods iphone4 (getting a 5 soon) ipad 10″ & iMac. Would I buy ipad mini? I have to admit if they do one with a retina display I think I will. Stupid waste of money ? Maybe. But the portability of the thing will make me use it everywhere not just at home. Sad I know.
Michael

Wednesday, October 3, 2012 - 1:32 pm · Reply

Wait for it….”If Steve Jobs were alive he would delay the release of the iPad Mini, blah, blah.” Bullshit about an unannounced Mac product is an opportunity for pundits to tell Apple how to run their business. The “If Steve were alive” meme is just waiting to be tossed out, as if Steve ever cared a bit about any pundit’s opinion. I’m sure his executive team will be listening intently to Moren’s moronic two cents. “Hold the assembly line. Dan Moren thinks our timing is off!” Puleeeze!!
feral

Wednesday, October 3, 2012 - 1:34 pm · Reply

furor?
wow
millions of devices sold in one day and there was a furor?
I wish all the other companies were held to the same impossible standard Apple is held to.
maps will get better. for sure.
Parasitic Armchair Techtards should build their own multi billion dollar company and then chime in…
- feral
  
  Wednesday, October 3, 2012 - 1:44 pm · Reply
  
  I do think the iPad will ultimately follow a similiar business model to the iPod line.
  - Clasqm
    
    Thursday, October 4, 2012 - 7:05 am · Reply
    
    You mean we can start the rumors about an iPad Nano now?
silverhawk1

Wednesday, October 3, 2012 - 1:38 pm · Reply

If the iPhone 5 is in short supply because of the lack of screens then how are enough being produced for both the iPhone and a “mini?” Do you think the “journalists” might just be wrong for once?
- Ballmer's left nut
  
  Wednesday, October 3, 2012 - 1:43 pm · Reply
  
  According to the Wall Street Journal, the iPad mini screens will be manufactured by Samsung based off the iPad 2 screen resolution.
  
  The iPhone 5 screens are manufactured by AU Optronics, Japan Display (Sharp), and LG.
devilmightcry

Wednesday, October 3, 2012 - 1:49 pm · Reply

I am a bit torn between the iPad ‘Mini’… I think it would be useful if they could price it around $249, not $299(just speculation).
Gary J.

Wednesday, October 3, 2012 - 2:00 pm · Reply

Too late for the Party. Apple ridiculed the 7″ form factor for a Tablet and the 16:9 AR. Now they will roll out a mini me product that sort of iSheeps will fall on deaf ears. Too many strong players already in this segment.

Look for a 4.65″ iPhone 6 in 3 months from now as the 5 is only selling to iSheeps and being completely overlooked by the rest of the world. The next big thing in tech will be the resurgence of MSFT via Windows 8 and the eco system that will accompany it on their mobile devices. MSFT share price by this time next year will be north of $300.00 and Apple will be south of $350.00.
- feral
  
  Wednesday, October 3, 2012 - 2:36 pm · Reply
  
  is your middle initial “B” ?
  as in boring.
  yawn
  If you’re going to copy ZT you need to step it up a bit.
  then you might get some laughs BJ…
First 2012, aw I give up

Wednesday, October 3, 2012 - 2:04 pm · Reply

As a kid we used to make our own shrinky-dinks. We would color the plastic lids from the deli which our mom popped into the oven and they magically got smaller.
Learn from my fail – if you put an iPad in the oven, you don’t get an iPad mini. You get an expensive mess.
dangcookie

Wednesday, October 3, 2012 - 2:08 pm · Reply

This analyst is jacktastic.
MotivDev

Wednesday, October 3, 2012 - 2:22 pm · Reply

I disagree with this view. I think now is the time for Apple to get into the smaller tablet business. They have to answer the Kindle and Nexus tablets this X-mas season.

I also believe this is the right time based on several women friends. They want a smaller size that they can easily carry in their purse and use just like they use their full size iPad today. Don’t get me wrong, I will still use my full size iPad, but I believe the biggest segment for this size tablet will be with the female segment.
- Gary J.
  
  Wednesday, October 3, 2012 - 3:29 pm · Reply
  
  No you didn’t! You need to find yourself some new women friends there lad!
  - feral
    
    Wednesday, October 3, 2012 - 7:49 pm · Reply
    
    unlike you…
    - ppctyler
      
      Friday, October 5, 2012 - 2:20 am · Reply
      
      Does Gary have any friends?
      - feral
        
        Monday, October 8, 2012 - 1:08 pm · Reply
        
        certain dung beetles may roll with him…
cascadians

Wednesday, October 3, 2012 - 2:38 pm · Reply

Lucky folks who can see smaller screens. My eyesight isn’t so great. Love my iMac 27″. Bigger is better for my aging boomer eyes. Do use iPhone while out and about, fits in pocket, very handy.
3l3c7ro

Wednesday, October 3, 2012 - 2:53 pm · Reply

This whole iPad mini discussion is like discussing how many faeries can dance on the head of a pin. There is no such thing in the first place.
Derek Currie

Wednesday, October 3, 2012 - 7:25 pm · Reply

It’s ALWAYS the right time for VACUUMWARE!