“While conflicting rumors have described both a larger screen and a smaller, cheaper iPhone model purportedly planned for this summer, one connected industry expert tells AppleInsider that Apple is also working to expand its tablet offerings with a Retina Display iPad 3 and new device that may be either a smaller iPad or larger iPod touch,” Daniel Eran Dilger reports for AppleInsider.
“Word of the so-called ‘tweener’ tablet from Apple arrived last month, when Analyst Ming-Chi Kuo of Concord Securities informed AppleInsider of detailed component plans attributed to iPad 2,” Dilger reports. “The analyst also outlined Apple’s expected production ratios of WiFi, CDMA and GSM/UMTS iPad 2 models.”
Dilger reports, “Kuo also described a new iOS device that is undergoing evaluation for a potential release during the second half of 2011, with a screen size between that of the current iPad and the iPhone.”
Read more in the full article here.
[Thanks to MacDailyNews Reader “Jen” for the heads up.]
This isn’t news, this is just a headline helping google and the likes. It details for them what they should be trying to copy right now.
Or NOT!
I’ll believe this when it happens.
I’m Getting sick of all these anal-ists. 95% of the time they are way wrong
This is from Daniel Eran Dilger, who writes the Roughly Drafted blog. He is very plugged-in to Apple, and seems to have inside connections. His record of predictability is excellent.
I agree with Apple iMan. I could make up these “stories” myself.
His record of predictability is excellent? Such as what did he predict that you or I could not have easily made up? Care to say how many of his predictions came true AND how many did NOT?
Cho, Roughly Drafted includes an archive of all his postings. They are very insightful and well written. Read his earlier years’ blogs to judge his vision instead of just throwing rocks.
I wouldn’t be surprised if apple is the one starting these rumors. That’s why they file so many fruitless patents. It’s about misdirection. They know full well all the competitors look to what they are doing and copy it. This allows apple to f*** with them by having the competition move to unsuccessful endeavors. Hell, Jobs sometimes tells them what won’t work flat out and they still do it.
I think a “Retina Display” that doubles the current resolution at the 10-inch size would be way too expensive (as a component), at least during 2011 and 2012, even if it was ordered in very large iPad numbers.
However, I do agree that Apple will eventually expand the iPad lineup to include more than one screen size. Does anyone actually believe iPad will stay just one screen size forever?
This is how I think it will happen. It may not be for “iPad 3,” but at some point after iPad 2…
8-inch iPad – 1024×768 resolution – about 160 PPI (pixels per inch)
12.5-inch iPad – 1600×1200 resolution – about 160 PPI
Current 9.7-inch iPad, 1024×768 resolution at about 130 PPI, will be discontinued at the same time, replaced by the 8-inch model (same resolution).
160 PPI happens to be the pixel density used by the original iOS device, the iPhone. The current iPhone 4 continues to use it, even if it now doubles images and graphical elements for the Retina Display; things look sharper, but iOS continues to operate at that original PPI on iPhone.
So having iOS on iPad operate at the same PPI as iOS on iPhone would seem natural, and everything would look about 20% sharper compared to current iPad. In fact, I believe the current 9.7-inch screen size at 1024×768 resolution was a design compromise that allowed the iPad to ship as a commercially viable product (starting at $499).
Therefore, I think Apple will first increase pixel density a smaller amount to create those two new distinct sizes for iPad. THEN, at some later point, they will both be “doubled” in resolution (at those two sizes) to go “Retina.”
The iPhone 4 is 326 PPI. Not 160.
Yes. that is correct. However, iOS still operates the same way as on older iPhones (before “4”), except that some graphics substitute double-resolution images to make things appear sharper. Otherwise, the user experience has not changed.
Jeez haven’t even seen iPad 2 and these dorks are servin up shit. Who cares, the dynamics of the industry will be different 14months from now unless steveo eats his words and releases a smaller tablet mid cycle.
I don’t get what’s wrong with the iPad screen now? It’s beautiful.
Ok seriously, Apple only makes things that they know people will use, a small iPad would be an iPod touch. It would really confuse people. It’s probably a navigation thing of some sort. Apple has bought a bunch of patents and companies that could really boost this product, especially since all of their idevices can sync with each other already. And in terms of an iPhone nano or whatever people are calling it now, I really doubt that because Apple loves keeping things just out of reach. That’s part of the allure of their products. The iPhone specifically is Steve Jobs’ baby, he wouldn’t allow the common stray to have one.
Why can’t I find any info on iPad 6?
here you go appleation, your iPad 6 (and iPhone 8) predictions:
slide out physical keyboard
removable battery
USB ports (x12)
small iPad
large iPhone
new product: iPhaodne (mid size between the two, works as both).
+1
But it still operates in the same way as on older iPhones, which was 163 PPI. Only images and some graphical elements are enhances to be doubled at 326. The user “experience” is not any different, except when those higher res elements are used and everything looks sharper.
What a load of crap. Release the iPad 2 first then we’ll talk.
How is a smaller iPad any different from a bigger iPod Touch. Having both, the only thing I’ve noticed that is different is the screen size. So really? Aren’t we just splitting hairs with terminology just to fit it into Steve Jobs’ declaration that 7″ is too small for a tablet? And if 7″ is too small for our fingers, causing the need for them to be filed down, than how did we ever function with our 3.5″ iPhones???
He meant for apps designed for tablet devices. Aka “biig screens”
Really??? You really aren’t that addle brained, are you? We can design apps that fit on a 3.5″ screen and we can design apps that fit on a 9.7″ screen, yet the development community is so inept that 6″ and 7″ devices are beyond their ability to create a functioning app where one doesn’t need to file ones fingers down? Come on now!!!
I have yet to see either one of my retinas actually displayed on one of these things.
Did I miss iPad 2? Why didn’t anyone wake me?