iMore previously reported that Apple would be releasing an iPad mini in October for around $200-$250, and that it would be announced at the iPhone 5 event on September 12. At the time we heard that it looks and worked like the 9.7-inch iPad, only smaller. That makes sense both from a financial and interface perspective. However, unlike the next iPhone whose parts leaks have given us an idea of just what it might look like, the exact design of the 7-inch iPad has been much more mysterious. Earlier tonight, Seth Weintraub from 9to5Mac posted a mockup of the iPad mini showing a narrower profile with a much thinner size bezel than the 9.7-inch iPad.
Based on several sources, I believe that design to be an accurate representation of what the iPad mini will look like. In addition, it's my understanding that it will be the exact same thinness as the iPod touch, which is substantially thinner than the 9.7-inch iPad. The quick mockup above shows what I believe are accurate proportions for the iPad mini compared to the 9.7-inch iPad and the current generation iPod touch 4.
Looking at it, the iPad mini may not seem radically smaller than the 9.7-inch iPad. And that's the point. It's not supposed to be a major sacrifice in screen size or usability. It is, however, thinner and lighter enough to make a substantial difference. Holding it with one hand is easier, and holding it for prolonged periods of time is much easier.
It's those two elements, the lightness at that size, that allows for the smaller bezel -- just like the iPod touch's thinness and lightness allows for even less size bezel. (Obviously the top and bottom bezel aren't as radically thin, due to components that need to be placed there, like the Home button.)
Most importantly, this isn't a big iPod touch. The Google Nexus 7 is arguably closer to a big iPod touch than this device. This device is a small iPad, and that's a tremendous difference. It allows for that higher class of apps that Steve Jobs talked about, the ones that don't work at 7.0-inches as scaled-up smartphone apps.
This is a full on iPad, just smaller and lighter.
Likewise, it's not intended to woo away people who might currently be buying a Google Nexus 7 or Amazon Kindle Fire -- not to be a jerk, but that's not a significant market for Apple. While Apple might want to nip those devices in the bud now, as opposed to when they hit their second or third generation, it seems like the primary consideration here is a far more massive market, a hundreds of millions of devices sold market:
People haven't yet bought an iPad because it was too big or too expensive, but would buy it if was lighter and cheaper.
At around $200-$250, thin and light, Apple will lower the barrier of entry and once again greatly expand the reach of iOS. While that might cannibalize the existing iPad market, Apple has repeatedly shown a willingness to do just that -- they'd much rather cannibalize themselves than let a competitor do it.
It should hit the shelves in time for the holidays. And it should sell like hotcakes.
 |  |
Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/TheIphoneBlog/~3/NVYfO-9W0Ko/story01.htm
No comments:
Post a Comment
Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.