Strong rumours Ipad 2 could be available by Christmas

garygibsonsf · 08-18-2010, 11:48 AM

Reported on My Digital Life and several other sources:

"If you are (an) Apple’s iPad lover but think that its weight is too heavy to be carried around, the recent rumor of having a 7-inch smaller size iPad seems to get solid confirmation with reliable source from Taiwan. Economic Daily News, a major newspaper publisher in Taiwan has recently disclosed a few potential vendors that are already working on iPad 2 with its targeted availability date by end of this year or early of next year ...

... preliminary specifications indicated that the next generation iPad will be much lighter with merely 1.1 pounds (versus 1.5 pounds for existing model) thanks to its smaller panel at diagonal 7-inch as compared to 9.7-inch for current iPad. However, it will be redesigned with much powerful ARM Cortex-A9 (current version is based on Cortex-A8 architecture) with 512MB memory RAM with unknown storage capacity."

Looks interesting, and possibly a way to bring down the entry barrier for those who find the current Ipad just too expensive (at least, here in the UK)

Ben Thornton · 08-18-2010, 11:54 AM

This strikes me as a good idea. It's essentially selling the iPod touch functionality at a range of different screen sizes. I'd expect such an early release of the smaller model to be pretty similar in capability to the current iPad, with a simultaneous update for Facetime etc. next year at both size points. It will be interesting to see what size suits people most. I found the iPad a bit heavy in its current incarnation, but a smaller one might be a better weight/size trade-off for me.

It will be interesting to see whether we get an iPod Touch 4 with Facetime this Autumn.

petermillard · 08-18-2010, 12:17 PM

Whilst I don't doubt a smaller version will be offered sometime, I'd be amazed if we see it at Christmas - that's way too early in the product cycle to be adding a new model IMO. Let's be honest, there's no shortage of people ready and willing to stump up the asking price for the current iPad (which hasn't been rolled out to all countries yet either) so why would Apple give them the option of paying less - makes no business sense.

Pete

Ben Thornton · 08-18-2010, 12:28 PM

It might make sense if they have an ipod touch at the £150 point, this midi-ipad at the £300 point and the big-ipad at the £450 point. A lot of people can't really stretch to £500 (or can't justify doing so), while £300 (or £299) seems more reasonable.

So, I don't think it's impossible, but time will tell.

HarryT · 08-18-2010, 12:53 PM

I can certainly see a 7" screen being popular. It's a nice size for reading or watching video, and would be considerably more portable than the current 9.7".

ficbot · 08-18-2010, 01:04 PM

Well then I am happy I bought now

If I wanted a smaller size, I would use my iPod Touch. I like the bigger screen for showing Powerpoint and video to my students. I can just turn the screen around to face them and they can see.

HarryT · 08-18-2010, 01:35 PM

I like the large screen too. I really can't see a 7" model replacing the current 9.7" - I'd see it as an extra model in the range, fitting between the iPod Touch/iPhone and the current iPad.

Ben Thornton · 08-18-2010, 02:03 PM

I'm sure that's right - they wouldn't introduce the current model, sell more than they can make, and then replace it. But they might introduce another model to broaden the range of options.

kjk · 08-18-2010, 02:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HarryT

I like the large screen too. I really can't see a 7" model replacing the current 9.7" - I'd see it as an extra model in the range, fitting between the iPod Touch/iPhone and the current iPad.

I'm not sure I would have rushed out to get the original iPad if it were a 7" tablet, actually-one of the big selling points for me was the 9.7" screen.

garygibsonsf · 08-18-2010, 02:44 PM

I'm a wee tiny bit dubious about it myself, given I think the current size of the screen is one of the main points. I like the idea, but I'm not sure it's practical - unless this is a genuine foray towards serving the specific e-reading market with something more book-sized. But I'm fairly sure it isn't, given Apple's interest in multitasking over single-use devices.

On the other hand, it isn't like Apple have never made mistakes before.

Ben Thornton · 08-18-2010, 02:52 PM

I'm not sure that it would be a mistake. For me, it would be attractive as a giant ipod, but not so giant as the ipad.

dmikov · 08-18-2010, 03:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by garygibsonsf

I'm a wee tiny bit dubious about it myself, given I think the current size of the screen is one of the main points. I like the idea, but I'm not sure it's practical - unless this is a genuine foray towards serving the specific e-reading market with something more book-sized. But I'm fairly sure it isn't, given Apple's interest in multitasking over single-use devices.

On the other hand, it isn't like Apple have never made mistakes before.

Well not for everybody, for me 9.7 + bezel was a deterrent. It made it a non-portable for me. And for non-portable 9.7 is tiny. Now 7" makes it movable for me and the only question is will 1.1 pound be ok with me, since it that's not such a big drop from 1.5.

Quake1028 · 08-18-2010, 03:31 PM

Meh. I'll wait for the second gen, 9.7 inch before I jump in.

Rebo · 08-18-2010, 03:38 PM

One of my criteria for ereader or tablet is it has to fit inside my purse; the current 10" iPad doesn't and I'm not going to get a backpack size purse just to slink around. Tablets similar to my nook is the ideal size for me. I think the 7" tablet will have a good market since it represents a good trade off between portability and screen size.

simplyparticular · 08-18-2010, 04:54 PM

I'd be interested in a 6-7" device, although 1.1 lbs is still heavy for a handheld device (but I'd find the Nook's 12.1 oz heavy if it weren't for an easel case!).

Although, now that I've got an e-Ink device, i rarely read on my iPhone anymore, since the e-Ink screen is easier on my eyes. I can get 2-3x the reading done on an e-Ink with a clip light before my eyes start to water.

It's too bad you can't turn the backlight off on an LCD and have it be as clear as a an e-Ink, and read with an external light. Then you really could have the best of both worlds.

ETA: Apple's release cycle for product is usually January and July, so January 2011 is likely, and 1 year from the iPad's announcement.

08-18-2010, 11:48 AM	#1
garygibsonsf Addict Posts: 321 Karma: 432192 Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Glasgow, Scotland Device: Amazon Kindle Paperwhite	Strong rumours Ipad 2 could be available by Christmas Reported on My Digital Life and several other sources: "If you are (an) Apple’s iPad lover but think that its weight is too heavy to be carried around, the recent rumor of having a 7-inch smaller size iPad seems to get solid confirmation with reliable source from Taiwan. Economic Daily News, a major newspaper publisher in Taiwan has recently disclosed a few potential vendors that are already working on iPad 2 with its targeted availability date by end of this year or early of next year ... ... preliminary specifications indicated that the next generation iPad will be much lighter with merely 1.1 pounds (versus 1.5 pounds for existing model) thanks to its smaller panel at diagonal 7-inch as compared to 9.7-inch for current iPad. However, it will be redesigned with much powerful ARM Cortex-A9 (current version is based on Cortex-A8 architecture) with 512MB memory RAM with unknown storage capacity." Looks interesting, and possibly a way to bring down the entry barrier for those who find the current Ipad just too expensive (at least, here in the UK)

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08-18-2010, 11:54 AM	#2
Ben Thornton Guru Posts: 900 Karma: 779635 Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: UK Device: Kindle 3, iPad 2 (but not for e-books)	This strikes me as a good idea. It's essentially selling the iPod touch functionality at a range of different screen sizes. I'd expect such an early release of the smaller model to be pretty similar in capability to the current iPad, with a simultaneous update for Facetime etc. next year at both size points. It will be interesting to see what size suits people most. I found the iPad a bit heavy in its current incarnation, but a smaller one might be a better weight/size trade-off for me. It will be interesting to see whether we get an iPod Touch 4 with Facetime this Autumn.

08-18-2010, 12:17 PM	#3
petermillard Evangelist Posts: 496 Karma: 2384998 Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: London, UK Device: iPad, iPhone, K3 & Amazon - between them they cover my needs.	Whilst I don't doubt a smaller version will be offered sometime, I'd be amazed if we see it at Christmas - that's way too early in the product cycle to be adding a new model IMO. Let's be honest, there's no shortage of people ready and willing to stump up the asking price for the current iPad (which hasn't been rolled out to all countries yet either) so why would Apple give them the option of paying less - makes no business sense. Pete

08-18-2010, 12:28 PM	#4
Ben Thornton Guru Posts: 900 Karma: 779635 Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: UK Device: Kindle 3, iPad 2 (but not for e-books)	It might make sense if they have an ipod touch at the £150 point, this midi-ipad at the £300 point and the big-ipad at the £450 point. A lot of people can't really stretch to £500 (or can't justify doing so), while £300 (or £299) seems more reasonable. So, I don't think it's impossible, but time will tell.

08-18-2010, 12:53 PM	#5
HarryT eBook Enthusiast Posts: 85,544 Karma: 93383099 Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: UK Device: Kindle Oasis 2, iPad Pro 10.5", iPhone 6	I can certainly see a 7" screen being popular. It's a nice size for reading or watching video, and would be considerably more portable than the current 9.7".

08-18-2010, 01:04 PM	#6
ficbot Wizard Posts: 2,409 Karma: 4132096 Join Date: Sep 2008 Device: Kindle Paperwhite/iOS Kindle App	Well then I am happy I bought now If I wanted a smaller size, I would use my iPod Touch. I like the bigger screen for showing Powerpoint and video to my students. I can just turn the screen around to face them and they can see.

08-18-2010, 01:35 PM	#7
HarryT eBook Enthusiast Posts: 85,544 Karma: 93383099 Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: UK Device: Kindle Oasis 2, iPad Pro 10.5", iPhone 6	I like the large screen too. I really can't see a 7" model replacing the current 9.7" - I'd see it as an extra model in the range, fitting between the iPod Touch/iPhone and the current iPad.

08-18-2010, 02:03 PM	#8
Ben Thornton Guru Posts: 900 Karma: 779635 Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: UK Device: Kindle 3, iPad 2 (but not for e-books)	I'm sure that's right - they wouldn't introduce the current model, sell more than they can make, and then replace it. But they might introduce another model to broaden the range of options.

08-18-2010, 02:44 PM	#10
garygibsonsf Addict Posts: 321 Karma: 432192 Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Glasgow, Scotland Device: Amazon Kindle Paperwhite	I'm a wee tiny bit dubious about it myself, given I think the current size of the screen is one of the main points. I like the idea, but I'm not sure it's practical - unless this is a genuine foray towards serving the specific e-reading market with something more book-sized. But I'm fairly sure it isn't, given Apple's interest in multitasking over single-use devices. On the other hand, it isn't like Apple have never made mistakes before.

08-18-2010, 02:52 PM	#11
Ben Thornton Guru Posts: 900 Karma: 779635 Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: UK Device: Kindle 3, iPad 2 (but not for e-books)	I'm not sure that it would be a mistake. For me, it would be attractive as a giant ipod, but not so giant as the ipad.

08-18-2010, 03:31 PM	#13
Quake1028 Guru Posts: 917 Karma: 9155462 Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Tampa, FL Device: See signature	Meh. I'll wait for the second gen, 9.7 inch before I jump in.

08-18-2010, 03:38 PM	#14
Rebo Groupie Posts: 173 Karma: 392 Join Date: Jul 2010 Device: nook, nook color, kindle 3, Ipad 2nd gen, Nook HD+, Iphone 4S	One of my criteria for ereader or tablet is it has to fit inside my purse; the current 10" iPad doesn't and I'm not going to get a backpack size purse just to slink around. Tablets similar to my nook is the ideal size for me. I think the 7" tablet will have a good market since it represents a good trade off between portability and screen size.

08-18-2010, 04:54 PM	#15
simplyparticular Guru Posts: 610 Karma: 1395952 Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: New York Device: Oasis 3 & GlowLight 4	I'd be interested in a 6-7" device, although 1.1 lbs is still heavy for a handheld device (but I'd find the Nook's 12.1 oz heavy if it weren't for an easel case!). Although, now that I've got an e-Ink device, i rarely read on my iPhone anymore, since the e-Ink screen is easier on my eyes. I can get 2-3x the reading done on an e-Ink with a clip light before my eyes start to water. It's too bad you can't turn the backlight off on an LCD and have it be as clear as a an e-Ink, and read with an external light. Then you really could have the best of both worlds. ETA: Apple's release cycle for product is usually January and July, so January 2011 is likely, and 1 year from the iPad's announcement.