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Apple tells developers to update apps for iPad mini's new display size

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Apple on Monday reminded developers to update their code to take full advantage of iPad mini's 8.3-inch Liquid Retina display, a new screen size that arrived alongside a full product redesign.

Developers currently following Apple's best practices with Auto Layout and size classes do not need to make changes to their apps to spread content across the tablet's 8.3-inch screen, the company said in a post to its developer website. Those adhering to stated guidelines will see their app's interface dynamically adapt to iPad mini's new dimensions.

However, app makers who still rely on certain information property list attributes will need to recompile titles to bring them up to speed. Specifically, apps that include UIRequiresFullScreen=YES in their Info.plist to keep graphical elements in full screen during multitasking must be updated with Xcode 13 and the SDK for iPadOS 15 to take advantage of iPad mini's screen size, Apple says.

Apple introduced the sixth-generation iPad mini at its "California Streaming" event earlier this month, unveiling a completely redesigned pint-sized tablet with all-screen design, A15 Bionic processor, 5G connectivity, Apple Pencil support, camera improvements and more. Early reviews published last week were favorable, though some dinged Apple on pricing.

AppleInsider went hands-on with the new iPad mini and came away impressed.

Demand for Apple's smallest iPad has outstripped launch window supply, with purchases placed today currently estimated for delivery in late October. Stock is expected to trickle in to brick-and-mortar Apple Stores, though supplies will be constrained.



3 Comments

fred1 11 Years · 1134 comments

“Demand for Apple's smallest iPad has outstripped launch window supply, with purchases placed today currently estimated for delivery in late October. Stock is expected to trickle in to brick-and-mortar Apple Stores, though supplies will be constrained.“

So they didn’t expect more than one person per day coming to an Apple store wanting to buy the new model? That’s the way it seems.  Many stores still have none at all to sell. I thought Tim Cook was a supply chain wizard. 

dpkroh 7 Years · 44 comments

The previous iPad mini display resolution was identical to that of the 9.7 inch iPad displays.  I was surprised and disappointed that Apple did not use the same resolution as the Air 4.

I also wish they had copied the colour options from the Air 4.  The mini 6 colours look okay on the web,  but in real life they are bland and disappointing.

Those minor gripes aside, I am thrilled that Apple finally gave the mini an Air 4 style makeover.  The iPad mini is just large enough to be a great tablet.  The iPhone max is too large to be a great phone. For me a regular size iPhone together with an iPad mini is the ultimate ultraportable combination that fits into a (large)  pocket,

canukstorm 11 Years · 2744 comments

dpkroh said:
The previous iPad mini display resolution was identical to that of the 9.7 inch iPad displays.  I was surprised and disappointed that Apple did not use the same resolution as the Air 4.

I also wish they had copied the colour options from the Air 4.  The mini 6 colours look okay on the web,  but in real life they are bland and disappointing.

Those minor gripes aside, I am thrilled that Apple finally gave the mini an Air 4 style makeover.  The iPad mini is just large enough to be a great tablet.  The iPhone max is too large to be a great phone. For me a regular size iPhone together with an iPad mini is the ultimate ultraportable combination that fits into a (large)  pocket,

Agree with both of those statements.