Rumor: Apple working on a 7.85-inch iPad for 2012?
According to Economic Daily News out of Taiwan, Apple has purportedly paired up with LG Display and AU Optronics for a new 7.85-inch iPad to be released in early 2012. The smaller iPad would supposedly carry the same 1024x768 resolution of the current iPad 2, making a higher DPI level and helping Apple compete with the recently-announced 7-inch Kindle Fire.
This isn't the first we've heard of a smaller iPad from Economic Daily News, as around the same time last year there were rumors of Apple prepping a 7-inch iPad for a Christmas 2010 release that never saw the light of day.
As with all iPad speculation, take this with a 7.8-inch grain of salt. Steve Jobs famously hated on the idea due to the lack of screen size limiting the quality of the apps.
Anyone else get the feeling the crazy rumor people won't be happy until they've spread word of Apple making an imagined tablet in every size Samsung makes a real one?
Source: Economic Daily News via UnwiredView
There are 17 comments. Add yours.
Seriously?! Didn't you just run this article last year and now you've substituted 2012 for 2011.?
Re: "Steve Jobs famously hated on the idea due to the lack of screen size limiting the quality of the apps."
That was when Siri was just a third-party app. If there is a new, smaller iPad, it will probably rely heavily on Siri for voice input. Apps would need fewer buttons and tap targets. Far more talking, far less tapping.
There would still be the need for multi-touch to zoom in on maps and photos, of course. But the small screen size wouldn't necessarily force users to tap on smaller buttons or type on a smaller keyboard.
Another benefit to a more Siri-biased interface is that it will be easier to design apps. Less pixel-pushing. More features and functionality.
Less work on the input to the app, more work on the output. Developers can spend more time on making the output look good instead of trying to figure out how to jam a GUI experience onto a small screen. Better for developers, better for users.
You're living in a fantasy world. Siri doesn't work like that.
I think it is a crazy rumour and I don't see it happening. What makes more sense to me is a large iPod touch (bigger screens are better for gaming and an iPod touch is probably used for gaming more than anything else). A 7.85 inch device is probably too big for a larger iPod touch, so I don't really know what to think of this rumour.
If you make a smaller tablet, it makes it more difficult for iPad app designers to design their UI as things get a bit more cramped.
I like another analysts comment which implied that Apple is likely to offer a cheaper iPad, but not necessarily a smaller one.
This is bonk.
A 4:3 ratio 7" tablet? Eww.
next up, an iPod touch macro!
Also, what's wrong with a 4:3 ratio tablet? I don't get it...
I will buy one. Why not?
Apparently not.
Will these rumors never die!? Apple has no reason to make a smaller iPad...it would only introduce some level of fragmentation and confusion. Apple is also not a company to introduce a "smaller, cheaper" iPad just for more market share...we all know they have plenty of that already. Why would they make an iPad just a couple inches smaller....so it's super portable?? That's what the iPhone is for. 7-7.85" iPad...NOT gonna happen.
Think your in the wrong discussion. Were talking iPads here.
C'mon, Steve said it himself. 7" tablets are bad. Why even start this rumor. Smh
Smaller? Seriously?!
How about a jumbo iPad? Think of a nes power pad or DDR pad size where I can just lay down and slap it.
You did. TipB didn't.
So one of those little netbooks???
Great post. I was checking continuously this weblog and I am inspired! Extremely useful information specially the last part :) I maintain such information much. I was seeking this certain information for a very long time. Thanks and good luck.