Sam Oliver
Citing anonymous sources, The Wall Street Journal reported on Wednesday that Apple's Asian component suppliers are preparing for mass production of the smaller iPad in September. The device is expected to have a screen size smaller than 8 inches.
Current iPad models feature a display that measure 9.7 inches diagonally. Numerous rumors this year have pointed toward a so-called "iPad mini" featuring a 7.85-inch display.
According to Wednesday's report, LG Display Co. and AU Optronics Co. will be suppliers of displays for the new, smaller iPad. The report said movement in the supply chain has suggested that the launch of a smaller iPad "appears near."
The Journal's report comes only hours after Bloomberg also stated that Apple is gearing up to launch a smaller iPad by the end of the year. That report said Apple's new iPad model will feature a display sized between 7 and 8 inches.
The earlier report suggested that Apple could announce the new iPad model in October, the same month that the market expects Apple will introduce its new iPhone model. Last year, the iPhone 4S was unveiled and launched in October.
The last few days have seen a flurry of news related to Apple's rumored "iPad mini." Another report on Tuesday out of the Far East suggested such a device would feature a Sharp IGZO display and could be priced between $249 and $299.
A smaller and cheaper iPad could allow Apple to more directly compete with the low-end tablet market where Amazon found some success with its 7-inch, $199 Kindle Fire tablet late last year. Google will enter that same market next month with the launch of its Nexus 7 tablet, also priced starting at $199.
Oliver Haslam
Andrew Orr
Amber Neely
William Gallagher
Christine McKee
Wesley Hilliard
160 Comments
If true, it's the Second Coming of the iPod phenomenon. And if Apple can pull it off roughly the same way, it spells the end of tablet market, and the monumental growth of the iPad market.
Steve Jobs *did* say this was a bad idea. However, if we consider the success of the iPod approach, then this is Not good news for the competition. At all.
An entire family of iPads. It just might be what we will lock up the market for Apple.
Hmmm. Seems like a larger iPod touch would be more appropriate... But that's just me. Any comments on why 7.9 has 'better attributes' over the present 9 inch...just doesn't seem significant benefits???? Seems to me a 5-6 inch version would be a sweet spot... But that just me again.
SOLD
Tim Cook you fail !! as apple CEO
I still don't see it.
Apple never competes on price. Look at Netbooks. Macbook Air is hardly a cheap netbook, yet between the Air and iPad, Apple has killed the netbook market.
Many "analysts" had all sorts of rumors than an iPhone mini was coming out. All sorts of talk that they needed to have a lower price model to compete. Instead Apple has kept selling older models and dropped the price.
The iPad2 currently sells for $399. Its miles better than the Fire or Nexus. Why would Apple bother with a smaller device?
Apple hates having lots of different products. Even worse is having lots of different development platforms. Today there are only two iOS display resolutions, the iPad & iPhone/iPod-touch and their pixel doubled counterparts which can be automatically pixel doubled by iOS w no change to the app. Adding a 7" model who's sole purpose is to be cheap, while adding another product to the lineup and another screen resolution to worry about is not a good move for Apple.
What apple tends to do is take an existing older product and lower its price.