iPad Mini: Do You Believe?

[vans]

I would have voted yes to the question:

Do I believe it is coming and would I be interested if it has a 3G option and is substantially cheaper than the current iPad?

[Laridae]

I think they better make one - otherwise continue to lose out on a growing market for 7-inchers.
I won't be getting one though; we're really happy with our current non-Apple 7-inchers and have an aversion to Apple's walled-garden approach in general. (Their new connectors for the iPhone 5, obsoleting existing ones, didn't gain them any credibility in this regard!)

[robertc88]

Today's news:

http://news.yahoo.com/apple-reported...141535445.html

[Marc_liest]

Apple announces special event for Oct. 23

[tubemonkey]

Originally Posted by Laridae

(Their new connectors for the iPhone 5, obsoleting existing ones, didn't gain them any credibility in this regard!)

Apple should include a free adapter with each device that uses this new port.

[jswinden]

Originally Posted by tubemonkey

Apple should include a free adapter with each device that uses this new port.

Even with an adapter many of the existing docks won't work well as the adapter will make the iDevice ride up higher than designed. Most electronics companies have finally gone over to using the micro-USB, I wish Apple would do the same.

[afv011]

Originally Posted by tubemonkey

Apple should include a free adapter with each device that uses this new port.

The new connector also has an embedded chip which, apparently, will make it hard to create knock-offs. It's for security though, it's no money grabbing scheme.

[Bilbo1967]

Originally Posted by afv011

The new connector also has an embedded chip which, apparently, will make it hard to create knock-offs. It's for security though, it's no money grabbing scheme.

[injapan]

Originally Posted by afv011

The new connector also has an embedded chip which, apparently, will make it hard to create knock-offs. It's for security though, it's no money grabbing scheme.

last I heard it has been cracked?

[David Munch]

Originally Posted by pastanley

i am so sick of apple rumors. They are nothing but ploys to drive up the stock market and to keep everyone interested in apple computers. THats it in a nutshell folks

Of course, and it works, so why shouldn't they do it? But if you are tired of reading about it, just stop?

[Laridae]

Originally Posted by tubemonkey

Apple should include a free adapter with each device that uses this new port.

Oh, I doubt Apple will be giving away anything free anytime soon; especially as it relates to keeping it Proprietary. (I get "digital claustrophobia" just thinking about Apple!)

First they dumped Google Maps - with the ensuing fowl-up, and now this, sheesh! Will their millions of customers stick with them, or will some say "enough" already!

What's that story about killing the Goose that laid the Golden Egg!

[jswinden]

Originally Posted by Laridae

Oh, I doubt Apple will be giving away anything free anytime soon; especially as it relates to keeping it Proprietary. (I get "digital claustrophobia" just thinking about Apple!)

First they dumped Google Maps - with the ensuing fowl-up, and now this, sheesh! Will their millions of customers stick with them, or will some say "enough" already!

What's that story about killing the Goose that laid the Golden Egg!

I've never understood brand/company loyalty, especially with Apple and Sony since they charge a really high premium price for their products. It kind of reminds me of that scene in Animal House where the frat pledge is stripped to his underwear and bent over being whacked with a paddle, and after each degrading whack he yells out, "Please sir can I have another." I sort of envision a lot of the Apple fans in that state of mentality--they will take whatever Apple dishes out and be happy with it and remain loyal.

[Sharkus]

Yes, I do believe there is one coming. Apple has officially announced an event for next week with the tag line "We've got a little more to show you" and I'd say that is a clear indicator for an iPad Mini.

They also see that there is a market for a 7" (ok, it'll be nearly 8") iPad. They see eReaders from B&N, Amazon, Kobo, Google and others are doing well, or will have better products in that range shortly.

They want a slice, a very big slice of that pie, and being brutal, I think they'll get it and dominate the 7" market in the same way they do the current tablet market.

[david_e]

Originally Posted by jswinden

I've never understood brand/company loyalty, especially with Apple and Sony since they charge a really high premium price for their products....

Cost isn't as important to some as it is to others.

Familiarity and the fact you can't get get other brands of machines to even run Apple OSs (without a bit tomfoolery) is another. Though, personally, I like the hardware, too.

[injapan]

Originally Posted by jswinden

I've never understood brand/company loyalty, especially with Apple and Sony since they charge a really high premium price for their products. It kind of reminds me of that scene in Animal House where the frat pledge is stripped to his underwear and bent over being whacked with a paddle, and after each degrading whack he yells out, "Please sir can I have another." I sort of envision a lot of the Apple fans in that state of mentality--they will take whatever Apple dishes out and be happy with it and remain loyal.

well I sort of agree but you omit one important thing. Apple products (in general) work so well and user satisfaction is higher than other brands. Look at the ipod, it has a 70% market share!
And not only that Apple have been at the forefront (arguably until recently?) of innovation (iphone, ipads etc)

but I agree, they are not cheap