Is Apple Planning an iPad Mini?

[Maura]

​

MacRumors reports today that an old iPad rumour has reared its head once again, that of the 7†“mini†iPad. According to a translated story in Taiwan’s United Daily News, Apple has ordered samples of 7.85-inch screens with the same 1024x768 resolution as the current version of the iPad from AU Optronics and LG Display. According to the report, Apple is planning to launch this new iPad mini early next year. In the past, as MacRumors points out, Steve Jobs had always said that he thought 7 inches was simply too small for a high-quality tablet. However, as the story also points out, it is possible that Apple is once again thinking about releasing a smaller, and presumably cheaper, iPad in order to counteract the threat of Amazon’s Kindle Fire tablet, which is due to launch in November for $199. MacRumors quotes Ticonderoga Securities analyst Brian White as saying that according to his sources, Apple is definitely thinking about releasing an iPad mini early next year, specifically to challenge the Kindle Fire. However, White says that the word “mini†is referring more to the price than the size of the tablet, and he predicts that Apple will price it at around $200.

Source: 'iPad Mini' Rumors Revived with Claims of 7.85-Inch Screen - Mac Rumors

 

[Sonicrobby]

What?! Now I'm gonna have to get an ipad3 AND this?! Honestly I'm excited!

 

[jsh1120]

Could be. If so, it's clearly the replacement for the iPod Touch, the only product in the Apple family where sales continue to plummet. Down almost 30% in the latest quarter over quarter vs a year ago.

 

[skimonkey]

Really, jsh1120- I had no idea that the iPod touch was not selling well!! How do you know all of these things?? You really keep on top of apple tech news-thanks for the informative tidbit! I have been toying with which device to get my mom-the ipad3 or the kindle fire. I have read the posts-but still a difficult decision!! Now with this confirmation-I will have to rethink my decision!

 

[Kaykaykay]

Apple just announced earnings, so sales figures are readily available.

Here for example:
Apple Struggles in 4Q - Zacks.com

From that link:
iPods:*Apple sold 6.6 million iPods during the quarter, representing a unit decline of 27.0% from the year-ago quarter. According to MPD data, Apple's share of MP3 players in the U.S. was over 70% in the month of September, and iPod was the highest-selling MP3 player based on the latest data published by GFK. iPod touch sales remained strong, accounting for over 50% of all iPods sold during the quarter.

 

[skimonkey]

Very interesting, thanks KayKayKay!

 

[GoPackGo]

Smart move by Apple, if so. I wouldn't want a smaller tablet personally. I like the iPad's size. But I think smaller cheaper ones would sell well.

Sent from my iPad using iPF

 

[Hayles66]

I'm with Lyndsey. Cheaper ones would sell, impersonally like.mine this size

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[Hayles66]

That should read personally. Autocorrect! Gggrrrr

Sent from my iPad using iPF

 

[jsh1120]

Apple just announced earnings, so sales figures are readily available.

Here for example:
Apple Struggles in 4Q - Zacks.com

From that link:
iPods:*Apple sold 6.6 million iPods during the quarter, representing a unit decline of 27.0% from the year-ago quarter. According to MPD data, Apple's share of MP3 players in the U.S. was over 70% in the month of September, and iPod was the highest-selling MP3 player based on the latest data published by GFK. iPod touch sales remained strong, accounting for over 50% of all iPods sold during the quarter.

That's certainly an odd way to put it. If the sales of my product were declining by 27% from the previous year, I'd think saying that "sales remained strong" is, at best, inaccurate even if they constitute "over 50%" of the reduced sales.

 

[jsh1120]

Really, jsh1120- I had no idea that the iPod touch was not selling well!! How do you know all of these things?? You really keep on top of apple tech news-thanks for the informative tidbit! I have been toying with which device to get my mom-the ipad3 or the kindle fire. I have read the posts-but still a difficult decision!! Now with this confirmation-I will have to rethink my decision!

Not sure there is a confirmation of anything here. I'm just suspecting that IF Apple introduces a seven inch tablet they'll position it as a successor to the iPod Touch rather than as a "mini iPad." Obviously at a $200-$300 price point it would make the Touch an even less appealing device and positioning the new tablet as a successor to the iPod Touch would enable Apple not to have to answer embarrassing questions quoting Steve Jobs comments about how a 7" inch tablet was a non-starter. i.e. "It's not a mini-iPad; it's a new generation iPod Touch!"

 

[ninjaninja1]

I hope not...that will totally kill the excitement and exclusiveness for the iPad.

 

[jwt873]

Smaller than an iPad, but larger than an iPod.. Will it be be called an iPad mini, or will it be a iPod maxi?

 

[Kaykaykay]

That's certainly an odd way to put it. If the sales of my product were declining by 27% from the previous year, I'd think saying that "sales remained strong" is, at best, inaccurate even if they constitute "over 50%" of the reduced sales.

I've seen various reports that basically put it in this perspective: MP3 player popularity is going to continue to shrink as more devices (such as phones and tablets) replace dedicated players. Despite that, touch sales have gained as a percentage of iPod sales, so touch sales are doing "well."

 

[matt_90036]

i was looking for a 7inch tablet for a long time. I was going to settle on a droid but if apple produces one with 3G and GPS then I will buy one without thinking twice. my problem with the current size is that it is too big to carry in a pocket and my iPad pretty much stays home. I do drive a lot and having a gps/tablet is a win win for me.