“Apple Inc. will add a gold color option for its full-size iPads in an effort to boost a category that’s posted declining shipments this year, according to people familiar with the plans,” Tim Culpan and Peter Burrows report for Bloomberg. “”
“New versions of the company’s 9.7-inch iPads, anticipated to be unveiled this month, will include gold as a choice of color for the rear metal cover, adding to the silver and gray available for the lighter iPad Air, the people said, asking not to be identified ahead of an announcement,” Culpan and Burrows report. “That brings the color palette into line with the iPhone 5s, which come with silver or gold backs for models with a white faceplate, and space gray for those with a black front.”
MacDailyNews Take: That also brings the color palette into line with iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus, of course.
“Sales of the iPad have declined for the past two quarters after soaring from $5 billion when the product was introduced in 2010 to $30 billion in 2012,” Culpan and Burrows report. “Last year, iPad sales produced $32 billion.”
Read more in the full article here.
MacDailyNews Take: iPads are simply not turned over as quickly as iPhones. iPads have more longevity because they are less of a fashion statement than iPhones.
[Thanks to MacDailyNews Readers “Sarah” and “Dan K.” for the heads up.]
Have the past two quarters declined year-over-year?
Or are the writers comparing to the biggest quarter of the sales year (winter holiday)?
I don’t think color will matter much for iPads. Everyone I know, myself included, has a good, solid cover of some sort that doesn’t let color through.
Can’t wait. Much faster A8 innards, lighter, smaller, touch ID. My old iPad 3 is a positive relic in comparison, but it’s in perfect condition and I expect I’ll still get good money for it 2nd hand.
Fashion has NOTHING to do with iPhone rotation. Usage does. They age faster, technology changes faster. iPads are more of a leisure item and don’t wear out. iPhones take a lot more abuse and are used a lot more. So people change more often. I have been changing my phones every 1 – 2 years since there were mobile phones.