It is just over a week since the iPad launched in the US. However, we are already hearing rumors of Apple working on an iPad with a different form factor.
According to reports on Taiwanese publication DigiTimes, Cupertino might launch a mini iPad as early as the first quarter of 2011.
In a brief article today, DigiTimes Research senior analyst Mingchi Kuo is reported to have unearthed information about the "mini iPad" which will focus on the eReader market and could be targeted at users who may not have a great need for interactive browsing. DigiTimes reports:
"Kuo, citing talks with upstream component sources, said Apple's smaller-size iPad will be priced below US$400 and will target the highly-portable mobile device market and consumers that focus mainly on reading and do not have a high demand for text input."
The report further states that the mini iPad could come with a display measuring between 5 and 7 inches.
There are already speculations following the launch of iPad that Amazon might be dropping the price of its smaller 6-inch Kindle eReader to $150. By offering a cheaper and smaller tablet device that is customized to the needs of the ebook reading population, Apple may be in a better position to take on competition in this segment.
I personally prefer the size of the iPad (9.7 inch screen) for consuming digital content and wouldn't prefer a smaller sized iPad.
How about you? Would you buy a mini iPad? Let us know in the comments.
[via DigiTimes]
i think the ipod is the smaller version of the ipad!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Mini iPad? They could call it.. the iPod!
Seriously, I'm a huge Apple fan, I have an iPad now and a 3G on order. However, this "innovation" reminds me of the Hudsucker Proxy, when they're brainstorming ways to make money off the hoop. A larger version for the portly, a version with sand in it for the hard of hearing, etc. Hardly innovative, coming from such an innovative company.
Heck no. But if it runs all the appstore apps then it may be a nice alternative for a kid/teen to use for scholastic purposes or entertainment.
True, but lets remember that this is just a rumor, so take it with a pinch of salt.
Let's not judge them for something they haven't done. They haven't given us an opportunity to complain when it comes to innovation (especially if you look at other tech companies).
this is BS – Apple is looking to be bigger and better not smaller and cheaper
I would prefer to see a larger version; something like two sheets a paper size. Might be unwieldy, but would certainly be cool!
Ever since getting an iPhone, I have wanted a bigger one, but one that would still fit in a large pocket. I was disappointed a bit when the iPad came out.
When you consider all the work that developers would have to do to make yet a third size of apps, it seems unlikely that Apple would do this.
I thought the whole point of the iPhone was so that we could carry less stuff around. Remember when people had to carry car keys, a phone, a gameboy, a map, and a camera back in the day? That's why I don't believe in the iPad and that's why I think a "Mini iPad" would be a total joke. I'm still waiting for digital driver's licenses so I don't have to carry my wallet.
I don't see there being a need for a smaller iPad. It may be useful for some but anyone who already has an Ipad is not going to want to a smaller one. Apple already was marketing to a small amount of people with the iPad. This mini iPad would be an even smaller market.
Even if someone wanted one to just focus on reading ebooks the iPad Is just a bit bigger than a book. It's still really thin though. If they wanted something smaller they should just get an iTouch or iPhone.
I think you are right,
and take it with not pinch, but a nice fat bag of salt. MINI iPad…how much smaller will they make this? its already 10 inches…what 7inches? are u serious? Apple is retarded.
You can see the massive ecosystem of apps the iPad is churning out, they cant create yet another fork to confuse consumers…honestly i am quite certain apple does not CONFUSE customers in that way.
I say go for it. Apple is just looking for ways to let people have exactly what they want and at the same time make money. There's nothing wrong with that. After all they are a bussiness and need to profit.
I think making a smaller version of the iPad is a bad idea. Then again who really knows the final conclusion till the release. I happen to like the iPad's current size. I think that 9.7" is practically perfect!
The iPad is not meant to replace your iPhone, it's meant to complement your laptop/desktop. Clearly not a "must have" but perhaps a useful tool for some and a primary laptop/internet device for others.
A smaller form factor may not appeal to everyone but it doesn't have to. Apple just has to sell enough to make a profit. I'm just interested in seeing the specs, if they can fit almost the same functionality into a smaller device, they can certainly add more to the iPad. Some of the missing features I was looking for could have a chance (user facing camera, USB or SD port, video out).
I would absolutely buy something like this! I want a bigger iphone not a smaller laptop that can't even perform as a laptop (iPad)
If you mean "retarded" as in generating a 40 billion dollar bank account, then I'd love to be retarded!
I agree.
Too many people seem to be blind and ignorant to new ideas and ways of doing things. Apple is known for reinventing ways of doing things and it's worked out wonderfully for them so far.
The nay-sayers are quick to judge and bash every new apple product. Who cares? Really though… If a product appeals to me, I'll buy it. Plain and simple.
And if I don't like a product, I'll ignore it. And be done with it. I'm not gonna get online and search for every post containing that product and create a million accounts just to post how crappy that product is… It's pointless.
The ones who want a tablet with a full OS, usb, etc., then don't buy an ipad. Problem solved.
I personally could find some good uses for the ipad. I'd use it as a reader, web surfer, email, video, while taking a shyt in the crapper. Also while I'm layin in bed but not quite sleeping yet. It could sit on my coffee table for friends to quickly get online.
Why would I want a full OS? I have a home pc and several full fledged notebooks for that already.
Hey y'all it would be called iPad Mini. Not Mini iPad.
On topic it would be lame.
oh shit i meant to say ***ISN'T***
of course, with a name like mini iPad, the risk is what people would start call the current larger iPad? lol
I dont see why its a bad idea, how many different version of the macbook pro and ipod are there? The key to a mini ipad would be the same as it is with the different ipods, price and space.
I might actually buy this. the current ipad is unwieldy.
Apple are taking their fanboys for a ride.
spit out a new ipod every year. new colour so thats an extra £50 for that
Iphone was a great success, so they make a bigger version, now thats popular they are making a smaller version. you fanboys will keep buying them, theyll keep conning you. what next a big iphone (not ipad) a phone.
atleast the ipad was a decent price for a change instead of usual apple charging double what its actually worth.
steve jobs doesnt care about you, he cares about his wallet and slowly monopolising the market, so everyone has to go through itunes to buy anything
Apple = new microsoft.
But wait till the iPhone 4.0 comes out in June and everybody back on the bandwagon. Who cares you like it buy it and if you don't then don't
YOU NEVER GOING TO HAVE THAT KING OF MONEY BECAUSE. YOU DONT HAVE A MILLION USER THAT NOT MATTER WHAT APPLE INVENTED THAT MILLION STUPID PEOPLE BUY. THAT THE WAY APPLE MAKE MONEY. SHIT THAT LIKE
I personally think that there wouldn't be much of a need for this product. The only thing that could get me to buy it is a really good price tag. I mean the 32 GB iTouch is $299 and the iPad is $499. This would make a $400 eBook reader that no one would use. Just my opinion.
Ipad nano. That would be great i think.
Not so small like an ipod and not so big as an ipad. Apple go the picture with the iphone OS.
I really can't understand why MS and other companies never figured this out.
Apple isn't taking anyone for a ride. It's the consumers themselves that are taking other consumers for a ride.
Apple products have a high resell value. That's key to their products.
I paid full price for an iphone 2g when it first came out. Sold it for $250 and paid $199 for an iphone 3g. Sold my iphone 3g for $350 and paid $199 for an iphone 3gs. Guess what? I'm gonna sell it again this summer for around $350 and buy the new iphone. Who's losing money here? Not me, I could care less about the contracts. I need a phone and will pay a phone bill whether I'm on a contract or not.
The same with ipods, they resell very well and are hot items. I sold my att tilt for $50 after trying to sell it for a few months but couldn't get a buyer.
All companies are in the business to make money. Why single out apple?
I think everyone will hate me for saying this: Maybe its a very late April fools' joke?
no ipad 9 nich is the best to view contents in nice way. small screen sucks by the way ( 6-7inch) .if the put camera ,steming contents and so other ectra features
A 7-inch iPad with an internal AM/FM/Satellite radio, and a motorized dock with an antenna connector could replace traditional vehicle head units (car radios). Have you seen the exhorbitant prices for good iPod connection kits or the terrible touchscreen interfaces on new, digital radios from traditional manufacturers like Alpine and other competitors?
This is another industry that needs to be blown up and recreated — and Apple is just the company to do this.