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Screen:
A 7" screen. Some serious clarification needed here. The screen is rumoured to be 7.75" so it's actually closer to the 8" mark. What's the 7" nonsense then? Broadly speaking tablets are divided into two main categories: 7" and 10". Since the rumoured iPad qualifies for the 7" segment, it's a 7" iPad.
Steve Jobs was adamant that the 10" screen is perfect for a tablet and anything smaller is just too clunky, but the Kindle Fire and the Nexus 7 have shown that 7" isn't all that bad. When the iPad was announced the market wasn't simply ready for a "slightly bigger" iPhone. There had to be a significant distinction between the iPhone and the iPad. Now that the market has matured and the people have begun to understand/appreciate what tablets do the time is right for the new iPad.
The screen will sport a resolution of 1024*768 pixels which according to Bombay Nerds math comes down to about8000ppi 170ppi (pixels per inch). Some reports point towards a whopping 326ppi but the cost of such a screen would be prohibitive.
If you think that a non-retina display would be a step down for Apple you haven't figured the clever part yet, a 1024*768 resolution would do away with the need to scale current iPad/iPad2 apps. Currently there are two resolutions iPads run on and I'm sure Apple doesn't want to add a third one. Less screen fragmentation = Happy developers.
A 7" screen. Some serious clarification needed here. The screen is rumoured to be 7.75" so it's actually closer to the 8" mark. What's the 7" nonsense then? Broadly speaking tablets are divided into two main categories: 7" and 10". Since the rumoured iPad qualifies for the 7" segment, it's a 7" iPad.
Steve Jobs was adamant that the 10" screen is perfect for a tablet and anything smaller is just too clunky, but the Kindle Fire and the Nexus 7 have shown that 7" isn't all that bad. When the iPad was announced the market wasn't simply ready for a "slightly bigger" iPhone. There had to be a significant distinction between the iPhone and the iPad. Now that the market has matured and the people have begun to understand/appreciate what tablets do the time is right for the new iPad.
The screen will sport a resolution of 1024*768 pixels which according to Bombay Nerds math comes down to about
If you think that a non-retina display would be a step down for Apple you haven't figured the clever part yet, a 1024*768 resolution would do away with the need to scale current iPad/iPad2 apps. Currently there are two resolutions iPads run on and I'm sure Apple doesn't want to add a third one. Less screen fragmentation = Happy developers.
Release:
Rather disappointingly we did not see any new iPads this September. I guess hardly anyone noticed this over the iPhone 5 and the Maps controversy. Whilst everyone is getting lost Apple has begun production of the smaller iPad at the Foxconn plant over in Brazil.
If I were a betting man I'd put my money on a mid/late October release. We all know how hot holiday sales are for Apple and Tim is probably aiming at that. Also there's the trolling-Nexus-event factor one must consider.
Pricing:
Here comes the biggie. To compete with the Kindle Fire and the Nexus 7 the iPad should be priced $349 or less, $150 lesser than the retina iPad which is kinda cool. I'll admit I was rather hoping this to be priced <$300 but then we have the iPhone 5 at $199 and the new iPod Touch at $299.
Yep the iPad Mini will sell in huge volume despite being pricier than it's nearest competition....
If I were a betting man I'd put my money on a mid/late October release. We all know how hot holiday sales are for Apple and Tim is probably aiming at that. Also there's the trolling-Nexus-event factor one must consider.
Pricing:
Here comes the biggie. To compete with the Kindle Fire and the Nexus 7 the iPad should be priced $349 or less, $150 lesser than the retina iPad which is kinda cool. I'll admit I was rather hoping this to be priced <$300 but then we have the iPhone 5 at $199 and the new iPod Touch at $299.
Yep the iPad Mini will sell in huge volume despite being pricier than it's nearest competition....
A few years ago it would have been impossible to think that Apple would have to release an 'economy' version of one of their products, but I think that this is a sign that their competitors have definitely caught up with them. But in spite of that I think 199 is a bit too low even in this market situation, 249 seems to be a more realistic expectation. Anyway, this was a well written roundup with all the necessary and important information provided. Good job!
ReplyDeleteThanks... We'll Apple might have just seen the light, also the 7" market is a whole new world to explore. Knowing Apple and it's supply chain a $199 price point isn't inconceivable (though I'd say that $249 seems more likely).
DeleteThis iPad isn't an "economy version". It's more of a smaller version. And Apple understands that it would be wrong to charge the same for smaller things.
DeleteThe iPhone is smaller and yet it costs more than the iPad...
DeleteWell, isn't this a bit early for Apple to release an iPad...... i mean come on, its time for a new iPhone, and with iPhone, comes a new iPod..... its time for a next gen iPod, or should i call it the iWatch!!
ReplyDeleteThis isn't the same iPad, it's a different one. A 7" iPad has a different purpose than a 10" one, it targets a whole different market.
DeleteApple will be refreshing the whole iPod line. Rumours also say that there'll now be a 4" iPod Touch.