Apple's 'iPad Mini' to be unveiled Oct 23: report

[Newasia]

NEW YORK: Apple's widely anticipated unveiling of its "iPad Mini" is expected to come on October 23, the Dow Jones technology website AllThingsD said Friday.

Reports have been swirling for months about the smaller version of the market-leading iPad, but Apple has made no comment.

The report, citing "people familiar with Apple's plans," said the invitation-only event will be on a Tuesday, breaking with the company's tradition for Wednesday announcements.

If confirmed, it will come three days prior to the release of Microsoft's new Surface tablet and two days before Apple reports quarterly earnings.

The Wall Street Journal, also part of Dow Jones, has reported that Apple has begun production of 10 million of the new iPads.

Various reports have cited the specifications of the new tablet and some pictures have also leaked. It is expected to have a screen of 7.85 inches (20 centimeters) compared with 9.7 inches for the current iPad.

The 10-inch iPad has long dominated the tablet market, but faces a growing challenge from smaller models like Amazon's Kindle Fire, the Google Nexus 7 and the Samsung Galaxy.

Apple shares were up 0.5 percent at $628.58 in midday trade.

-AFP/ac

 

[yaosiu]

First they made an ipod.

Then they make an iphone.

Then an iPlayer.

After that they make it bigger and it becomes the Ipad.

Next they make it smaller 4 inch. The new iphone 5.

Then they make it bigger 7.8 inch. The new iPad Mini.

All these are running the same iOS.

People are queuing up for the same thing. The only difference is different size.

Now who are the real suckers of this world?

 

[singveld]

why cant apple let other make a little money, why must kill them off?
----------------------------
Apple prepares to reveal iPad mini as experts claim it could cost as little as £200 - and kill off competition from Google and Amazon

At 6pm tomorrow evening, Apple boss Tim Cook is set to take to the stage in a San Jose theatre to introduce Apple's latest blockbuster product - a mini tablet set to fend off competition from Amazon’s Kindle Fire and a raft of relatively cheap smaller tablet computers.

The shrunken iPad is rumoured to have a screen that is 7.8inches across the diagonal – which compares to 9.7 on the original version.

Tech watchers suggest the device – like the latest incarnation of the iPhone – will work on the superfast 4G mobile network that will launch next week in the UK.
Apple is said to be planning to charge £200 for the smaller version, which is around half the price of the cheapest iPad 3.

However, it will remain considerably more expensive than Amazon’s Kindle Fire, which costs £129, and the higher specification Kindle Fire HD, which is £159.

Amazon has suggested it is selling its tablets at a loss in order to get it into the hands of families.

The idea is that it can then cash in through sales of a vast library of books, music, films and TV programmes.

Apple’s innovative phones, tablets and computers have always come with a hefty price premium, while its rise to become the world’s most valuable company has been fuelled by sales through its vast iTunes store.

Jason Jenkins, the editor of CNET UK, said: ‘If the leaks are correct, we can expect Apple to announce an iPad mini that’s more like a shrunk-down iPad 2 than an iPad 3.

‘It should have a 7.8-inch screen with a resolution of 1024 x 768. It will have the new, smaller Lightning port seen on the iPhone 5, which means you’ll need to buy a converter to plug it into any equipment that uses the old-style, large Apple plug.

‘I am expecting it to come in around the £200 mark, which would enable Apple to compete with the avalanche of cheap tablets appearing in the shops from Google, Amazon and others.

‘With Amazon selling a 7-inch tablet for just £129, though, Apple is going to going to have a real fight on its hands as it attempt to dominate the tablet market in Europe in the way it has until now.’

It is thought that Apple will also launch a tweaked version of the iPad 3 that works on the UK’s 4G network.
The launch comes in a week of hi-tech product releases.

Amazon has already enjoyed huge success in the US with its updated Fire tablets - but will release them internationally for the first time on the 25th October.

The gadgets, are available in both 7-inch and 8.9-inch versions (although only the 7-inch version is currently set to go o sale outside of the US).

Microsoft is also launching its Surface tablets on the 26th, when Google is also believed to be revealing new tablets and software.
The Mini launch comes as research suggests a quarter of us - 22 per cent - own a tablet, with another three per cent regularly borrowing someone else's tablet for web browsing.

About 68 per cent of the 9,5123 adults surveyed said they purchased their tablet within the last year.

The U.S. survey by the Pew Research Center also suggests the flood of cheaper tablets, such as the Google Nexus or Amazon Fire, are weakening Apple's grip on the market.

A year ago, Apple had more than 80 per cent of the market, but this has now dropped to less around 52 per cent.

The Kindle Fire has 21 per cent of the market, meanwhile Samsung's Galaxy tablet has eight per cent.

Out of those surveyed, 44 per cent of adults who said they have a smartphone, 46 per cent have an Android phone, 38 per cent, have an iPhone and 10 per cent have a Blackberry.

 

[singveld]

The stupid new connector. I hate it.

 

[Microsoft]

"smaller screened tablets were not "sufficient to create great tablet apps" and would be "dead on arrival" - Steve Job 2010.

 

[laksaboy]

Apple and Android can co-exist.

The launch of iPad mini means that the Microsoft Surface tablet is dead on arrival.

Microsoft is fucked. Big time.

 

[singveld]

"smaller screened tablets were not "sufficient to create great tablet apps" and would be "dead on arrival" - Steve Job 2010.

no one is deader than a dead CEO

 

[johnny333]

I'm thinking of getting one of these mini iPads. Many places are offering free Wi Fi & it would be useful when I'm travelling. Can keep it locked up in the room safe & even if it gets stolen it wouldn't hurt as much in $ terms.

 

[Microsoft]

no one is deader than a dead CEO

We see who is right? Job or Cook...

 

[singveld]

We see who is right? Job or Cook...

job is always right.

 

[Microsoft]

job is always right.

Har?? If Job is right...Ipad Mini will be a failure...

 

[singveld]

Har?? If Job is right...Ipad Mini will be a failure...

nothing apple made is a failure.
The apple fan boy around the world, will buy anything apple made, even if it is a dildo.

 

[Microsoft]

nothing apple made is a failure.
The apple fan boy around the world, will buy anything apple made, even if it is a dildo.

Ah Job never wanted to build de Mini...it was a post Job era decision...interesting to see...where apple will be heading...Job is conservative...but it still works when he is around...thanks to die hard fans moi guess...will it still work for cook? More are asking for innovation...And innovation come with risk...oh well...we shell see...

 

[singveld]

i have zero interest in ipad mini.

what is it for again?

 

[Microsoft]

i have zero interest in ipad mini.

what is it for again?

Jus a smaller, lighter and lower spec version of Ipad...to hit out at Samsung Galaxy, Nexus 7, Kindle Fire and Acer Iconia...it de battle of 7"...

 

[Leongsam]

i have zero interest in ipad mini.

what is it for again?

I'll buy one if it has a 3 or 4G. It will be a perfect companion for showing off my photos to potential clients. The iPod is too small to do justice to the images and the current iPad is too big to carry around all the time.

An iPad Mini will be just perfect.

 

[singveld]

I'll buy one if it has a 3 or 4G. It will be a perfect companion for showing off my photos to potential clients. The iPod is too small to do justice to the images and the current iPad is too big to carry around all the time.

An iPad Mini will be just perfect.

no sir, the new ipad is what you need. ipad mini is too small for showing HD photo.

 

[Cruxx]

First they made an ipod.

Then they make an iphone.

Then an iPlayer.

After that they make it bigger and it becomes the Ipad.

Next they make it smaller 4 inch. The new iphone 5.

Then they make it bigger 7.8 inch. The new iPad Mini.

All these are running the same iOS.

People are queuing up for the same thing. The only difference is different size.

Now who are the real suckers of this world?

Who can blame them when there are so many willing victims of planned obsolescence around the world?

 

[Leongsam]

no sir, the new ipad is what you need. ipad mini is too small for showing HD photo.

I want something that can fit into a large pocket so I don't have to carry it around.

 

[Cruxx]

nothing apple made is a failure.
The apple fan boy around the world, will buy anything apple made, even if it is a dildo.

[video=youtube;1Eyi4ir3jBQ]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1Eyi4ir3jBQ[/video]