“Apple will be going forward with the 7-inch iPad, currently targeting an October 2012 release alongside the new iPhone, and — here’s the killer — at a $200 to $250 price point,” Rene Ritchie reports for iMore. “According to our source, which has proven reliable in the past, the reason for such aggressive pricing is to do to the tablet market what Apple did to the MP3 market in 2004 with the expansion of the iPod product line — leave absolutely no space for competitors.”
“We haven’t gotten a firm read on the exact screen dimensions, so we’re using 7-inches generically here. Our source has indicated, however, that the 7-inch iPad will be identical to the current 9.7-inch iPad, just scaled down. That seems to include a 2048×1536 resolution display, just like the new iPad,” Ritchie reports. “If accurate, that would put the pixel density at around 326 ppi, the same as the iPhone 4S (and higher than the 264 ppi new iPad) retina display.”
Ritchie reports, “It’s hard to imagine a device with a panel that large and dense that having a price tag of just $200 to $250, especially when the baseline new iPad comes in at $500, but one way Apple will be keeping costs lower is by providing less storage capacity. $200 to $250 will get you 8GB… Recently AppAdvice reported on the logic of 7.85-inch iPad, which makes a lot of sense. And both iMore and Daring Fireball heard Apple had that device in the labs.”
Read more in the full article here.
MacDailyNews Take: Apple’s prices rarely end in “0” which is why our headline uses $199 -$249, more typical Apple product pricing.
For grins before hitting “Publish,” we ran this past our sources, the most accurate of whom said simply, “Don’t scoff at this one. Can’t say any[thing] more.”
BTW: Steve Jobs pooh-poohed a 7-inch iPad. He never mentioned a 7.85-inch iPad marketed as “8-inch.” He also dismissed products that he later shipped (for example: iPod with video), too.
[Thanks to MacDailyNews Readers “Fred Mertz” and “Dan K.” for the heads up.]
MDN – grins, or shits and giggles?
Shit eating grin for sure. With this addition to the iPad line, its the end of the line for Amazon’s Kindle Fire, Android and anyone else. Especially and critically with a Retina Display. Slam Dunkville! As a stockholder I approve of this ass kicking move.
Baloney
What is the problem? Think different. These are the perfect size for the new AppleTV remote and gaming interface. Add Siri and set up FaceTime. Why not!
Be innovative. This is Apple!
No matter how reliable you think it is, should still be posted as a “rumor”
More correctly, this “news” are so unreliable, that those should be posted as ignorant nonsense/garbage tags.
It’s tagged “rumor,” moron.
Cannot understand why so many hate the idea of a 7inch iPad. It makes a lot of sense for portability and will put a lid on so many competitors who can use this size to propel themselves into the 10inch marker later. I haven’t taken my 10 inch iPad out of the house yet but a smaller version would be with me always.
Iit’s not believable due to price listed in the article. The size is fine but unlikely that apple will bring the profit margins down that much.
It’s not believable because having a retina display plus 4G in a smaller case means a smaller battery. Plus, a 7.85″ screen does very little to increase portability. Add a case, and you really aren’t that much smaller than a current iPad without a case.
The other issue is their claim that Apple is going to release this to “prevent” other companies from gaining a foothold in the smaller tablet market, and then later expand to the 10″ tablet market. No manufacturer of smaller tablets (under the iPad size) has gained ANY traction. You could argue that Amazon was the most successful, but its “shipped” numbers just fell off a cliff.
In other words, Apple doesn’t need to release a smaller iPad to corner the smaller tablet market, because there is no smaller tablet market.
It may be WiFi only to start. If there is demand, they will release the LTE version one year later.
If this ships, there will be a total of 200K a month sold by apple competitors. In others words, game over for all the other tablet makers.
Not possible specifications, not possible price.
Apple specs?
A) i think $299 will be the final price if true.
B) Apple just invested a billion in Sharp. So no one knows if this is NOT possible. For all we know the iPod touch has been OVER priced the last couple of years and the profit differences is greater then people know.
I’m surprised to see the term “not possible” when used with apple Since they are about the only tech hardware company making things “possible” over the last decade.
8GB is too small for many people.
IWOOT – perfect for me and so many pro users I know.
Lightness and smallness is just sooo useful when you’re on the road.
“leave absolutely no space for competitors” – brilliant…
I’m a big proponent of a potential iPad mini, however I believe such a steep drop in price from the iPad is unnecessary. $299 is the perfect starting price point.
We would then have the iPod touch with an entry of $199, the iPad mini @$299, prevGen iPad @$399 and new iPad @$499. That’s a bulletproof lineup, all bases covered.
If Apple makes it, it’ll be cool. If Apple makes it and sells it at that price, it’ll be competition killer.
Not possible? Folks say the current iPad is mostly battery inside. That means there’s plenty of possibility here with less battery life – and that assumes that all other techs stay the same, when advancements could actually help batt life.
At this price? Now that’s another question. I have no expertise there.
Never trust a story that includes: “According to our source, which has proven reliable in the past”
What story? What past?
Apple will most likely simply expand the ipod Touch range by introducing a larger screen. We all know that would be like iPad Wifi but provides clear distinction between ipad and iTouch. This will help reduce confusion on the IT department being forced by users to accept apple product inside the firewalls.
Go Apple
Only fools never change their minds!
I believe this will be the ultimate in-home remote. A different utility, the smaller pad will be offered as a new device that will control a range of devices from TV’s to thermostats and more. I expect a few new apps to be displayed along with compatible in-home products/appliances.
I have been using a Kindle Fire with Amazon Prime video streaming and it works great. No where near the quality build of an iPad, but the subscription model for video streaming is something Apple has to get into.
I seriously doubt it will have same resolution as the new iPad. As TechzTalk.com points out Retina display for tablets cost twice as much as ordinary LCD display, which would mean that a 7-inch Retina display can cost anywhere from $50 to $70 and thats too much for a $200 product.
I believe a 7.8″ iPod touch is coming. But, it won’t have a 2048×1536 screen. It’ll have a 1024×768 screen, just like the original iPad, and at that size, it’ll be a “retina display”.
When Steve said a 7″ display sucked, he was referring to the current state of the art with low pixel density displays. Now, we have retina densities. I have an iPhone and an iPad with retina densities and in my opinion a 7.8″ retina display would be just fine. I think Steve would agree.
How’s that MSFT $300 investment with BKS and the Nook looking Mr. Balmer.
I like my iPad, but this would be great for the kids, for Airplay and game play remote. Also will speed up education adoption. Will obviously cannibalize iTouch on low end and iPad. Big question for me is how can they make enough of them and can they source outside Samdung.
BTW: Steve Jobs pooh-poohed a 7-inch iPad. He never mentioned a 7.85-inch iPad marketed as “8-inch.”
Also the Retina display was not available. The Retina display would make the 7-8 inch iPad more practical.
Rumor says the iPhone is also releasing in October. 2 big releases this fall.
Some days Freedom of Speech is not all it’s cracked up to be.
They better build a whole lot of them. For many folks this will be their first Apple product. They will sell more of these than the regular one.
This rumor is total BS. There won’t be any Apple ~7″ iPad. So don’t hold your breath.
2012: Worst year for bogus Apple rumors EVER.
WHY you ask?
There is no money and no demand in the ~7″ market. Just deal with it.
Lets say Apple does make this machine. Where does the iPod touch go in the line up? It currently sells for $199.
Ugh. No.