There are rumours that Apple will release a new iPad with a 7.8 inch screen in Q3 of 2012. It is believed that 6 million units will be ready for shipment later in the year.
This new and smaller tablet will be called "iPad Mini" and is likely to cost around $250 to $300. It is said that with this new product, Apple is planning to slow down Samsung's successful upward trend on its similar sized tablet on the market.
The change in the screen size is not good news for many companies as all of the applications designed for iPad will need to be redesigned to support the new smaller screen size as well.
Although Apple has not made a formal announcement on the iPad Mini yet, it looks like there is a demand for such a product. Given that porting the iOS to a smaller tablet should not be a big problem, this sounds like a golden opportunity to make more money and to establish a presence in the small tablet market as well for Apple. Although Steve Jobs was not in favour of a 7 inch tablet, Tim Cook who is at the wheel now is not ruling this possibility out.
Given all the above, I see the iPad Mini appearance later this year as a strong possibility. What do you think?
Apple is planning to slow down Samsung's successful upward trend on its similar sized tablet on the market.
I think Apple will have to gather enough huddles on the market to halt Samsung pace now. Well, for Apple to deal with the market will have to rely heavily on this new product "iPad Mini" and perhaps its new iPhone. How would Apple stop Samsung?
There are rumours that Apple will release a new iPad with a 7.8 inch screen in Q3 of 2012.
@Cryptoman, Apple is facing stiff compeition from Samsung tablet. Samsung tablet is smaller than apple and is reasonably priced. Apple was forced to reduce the size of the iPad so that it can compete with the Samsung. Anyways its a good news for the users who can't afford to buy the bigger/costlier iPad.
You are quite right in looking at this with a grain of salt. Commercially, even though it sounds like a logical strategy, it may not be true at all. One purpose of this post is to gauge how everyone else thinks and to see whether anyone has got more information to share with the rest of the EBN community.
I personally think that iPad is god as it is in terms of screen size. When it comes to usability of tablets, small is not always beautiful.
Yes, I know what you mean. I also got really excited when I first heard of the "iPhone mini". I thought it was a great idea and could make an impact in the market. The same could be said about the rumors of an iPad mini.
However, I believe a smaller size wouldn't work for an iPad. The current size is good for using the touchscreen keyboard, besides, you also have to think of the font size when it comes to a device you intend to use quite a lot or use it for writing. This may be because I just can't stand tiny fonts or tiny screens.
Even though I believe a smaller iPad would be good for competing with other smaller tablets, I personally wouldn't buy a smaller iPad.
Yes, I have thought about that many times. It's interesting and useful to see what consumers and potential buyers have to say. However, if it's a tricky way of doing a market survey, how efficent do you think it can be in terms of analytics?
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Thailand Stages a Comeback Join EBN contributor Jennifer Baljko on Thursday August 23, 2012, at 11:00 a.m. EST for a live chat on how electronic manufacturers in Thailand have shored up their supply chain to reduce the impact of future natural disasters.
Euro-Crisis: What It Means for High-Tech Firms Join EBN Editor in Chief Bolaji Ojo and Contributing Editor Jennifer Baljko on Thursday, July 12, at 10:00 a.m. EDT for a Live Chat on high-tech and Europe's economic difficulties.
Microsoft Surface: Potential Winners & Losers What are the implications for the electronics industry supply chain of Microsoft Corp.'s decision to launch its own tablet PC? Join industry veteran and EE Times' systems and OEM expert Rick Merritt on Tuesday, July 3, at 12:00 pm EDT for a Live Chat on this subject.
Join EBN contributor Jennifer Baljko on Thursday August 23, 2012, at 11:00 a.m. EST for a live chat on how electronic manufacturers in Thailand have shored up their supply chain to reduce the impact of future natural disasters.
Peter Drucker famously said "Trying to predict the future is like trying to drive down a country road at night with no lights while looking out the back window." Yet in the razor's-edge world of electronics—with a lean supply chain and just-in-time demands—the need to know the future is vital.
While no one really can accurately predict the future, we can take guidance from another Drucker saying which is the best way to predict the future is to create it.
You've heard the saying "the No. 1 supply chain risk is your people." That hasn't always been the case. But today's complex global supply chain requires a new type of multitalented employee. It's one who understands, finance, marketing, economics, is savvy with technology, graceful with relationships and can think analytically.
Where are these people? Are universities properly preparing the next generation supply chain professionals? How do train your existing workforce for these new, demanding positions?
Brian Fuller, editor-in-chief of EBN, will lead a 60-minute Avnet Velocity panel discussion that will ask and answer these and other questions swirling around today's supply-chain talent challenges.
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