iPad Mini to be Released by October?
Apple will release a smaller and cheaper iPad “mini” before the years end, according to a new report from Bloomberg. Citing two people with direct knowledge of Apple’s plans, the screen is said to be between 7″ and 8″ diagonally, as opposed to the 9.7″ screen that exists on current iPad models, and the device could be announced by October.
Bloomberg suggests the release of the smaller iPad will be aimed at competing directly with new offerings from the Google Nexus and Microsoft Surface, and will be priced appropriately. The screen is said to not be the high-resolution Retina display offered on existing new iPads.
Venturing into the realm of speculation, it’s possible the new smaller iPad could even replace the iPod touch, which didn’t get a meaningful update last year at the iPhone 4S event. Additionally, an October release could be in line with the launch of the next iPhone, which is assumed to coincide with the release of iOS 6 this Fall.
Rumors of an “iPad Mini” have existed since 2010 and have come from a variety of sources, including Reuters, Digitimes, and CNet, though Bloombergs report may be considered the first credible source to say the device will actually see the marketplace. Earlier in the year, the Wall Street Journal reported that Apple was testing such a device, though they warned it may never see the light of day.
Update 7/4/2012: The Wall Street Journal is now reporting that Apple component suppliers are preparing to mass produce a 7″ iPad.
Just stop it. There will be NO iPad mini. Apple isn’t the kind of company that pursues markets, it creates and defines markets.
I’m so sick of reading iPad mini rumors everywhere. It wasn’t released now and it won’t be ever. Just get over it. It just doesn’t make any sense.
Oops. Should have waited for the November announcement.
I’m skeptical of the 7″ iPad, but I do think they will release an iPhone 5 with a 4″ screen and an iPod touch with maybe a 5″ screen aimed at gamers. But can they expect the 5″ iPod touch to compete with 7″ tablets from Android and Windows 8? Price is currently the same, Apple must drop the price.
Don’t be so skeptical, Bloomberg and WSJ are two major newspapers and don’t just publish horse rubbish like most of the Apple rumor sites do. They have sources and a strong editorial team to filter out the chafe. I trust them, I think we will see a small iPad this fall at the iPhone launch event and I think it will be a huge seller this holiday season.
hm… let’s wait and see…
a 4.5″ screen iPod touch to compete with Sony Vita, maybe.
A smaller iPad, NOWAY!
it’s like people just don’t remember anything.
remember what Steve Jobs said in the interview about a 7″ tablet?
it’s just not enough!
and at that size, which apps would it be running? smaller iPad apps? or scaled up iPhone apps? both will look ugly and out of proportion.
a 7″ tablet is just wrong….
Exactly.
I do remember Steve saying no to a seven inch tablet. However, he is no longer around and the market has changed somewhat. Apple is apparently tapping into that niche this fall when they release the smaller iPad. According to WSJ sources, the ramping up will begin in September.
I have an iPhone 4S, 2011 iMac and an iPod 3G. I have been debating on whether to get an 11 inch Air for reading of articles while laying on the couch or in bed. Believe me, if Apple releases a 7 inch @ $199 price point, I’m all in.
We will find out this fall…
It wouldn’t be that confusing. If it has a 1024×768 resolution to help costs, then essentially it would be a small ipad 2. No ugly scaling, in fact would look nicer than an iPad 2 since the pixels would be smaller, and would run all the ios iPad apps just fine.
This is no longer Steve Jobs’ Apple. It makes sense for Apple to produce a less expensive version of the iPad to compete with Google and Microsoft. Consumers will be more inclined to spend $200 for a well-designed tablet than $600 (prices are approximates).
I see apple retiring the itouch in favor of the mini…. Particularly for gamers….and to make it more awkward to use the device for voice calls
been hearing this since the first one came out, I’ll believe it when I see it
For $199 I would definitely get one even though I already have an iPad 3.
I agree, even with my iPad 3, if they had one for $199 with a 7-8 inch display, the mini would become my new car stereo interface. :)