iPad iPad 5 coming in March 2013?

I basically agree with @HistoryWes in that I prefer my iPad3 over the iPad4 due to the change in port connector. As far as being upset because they updated the iPad3 to iPad4 way before the year was up, I'm not upset too much but I've got two concerns if they were to go to a 6 month release cycle rather than sticking with the 12 month cycle.

• Earlier Resale Value Drop: Whenever a product is updated the older version(s) drop in resale value. If they double the number of new updates over the same period in which you normally upgrade, then I think your resale value will take a huge hit. For example, if I would normally think about upgrading my iPad3 after two years to an iPad5 but found instead that in that two year time the newest was actually an iPad7, my resale value would be severally degraded. People are less likely to buy a version that is four upgrades behind the latest version as opposed to one that is only two upgrades behind.
• Earlier Obsolescence: Apple periodically stops supporting older models with new iOS updates, effectively putting them on the fast track to obsolescence. If Apple doubled the number of model upgrades over time it seems reasonable to assume your model will become obsolete twice as fast because it would soon be left without iOS updates.

[David Munch]

Originally Posted by WT Sharpe

I can't believe no one's posted this yet. I've been hearing this for several days now.

RUMOR: A lighter, thinner iPad and an iPad Mini with a Retina display to be released in March 2013.

A rumor that startet with Digitimes in mid november.. I would trust that as much as what my mail man told me..

It made sense for Apple to introduce the iPad 4 early. Future iOS releases are a good sales argument since they always come out in the fall, holiday sales are important, and introducing the lightning connector on all units at the same time made excellent sense. No need to stray from the successfull annual update scheme otherwise.

Originally Posted by WT Sharpe

According to the aforementioned blog, Apple's reasoning appears to be that they needed a quicker cycle to compete with the Nexus 7 and Microsoft's Surface. The Nexus may be a threat, but from what I've seen, the Surface seems to be underwhelming users and reviewers alike.

Apple owns the market, they don't have much to be scared of.

Originally Posted by Quake1028

If they go to 6 month refresh cycles, I am out.

Why? Does your iPad stop functioning after 6 months?

[Fbone]

Heard about an iPhone6 today along with the watch gadget.

And possibly iOS7 ??

[WT Sharpe]

Originally Posted by Fbone

Heard about an iPhone6 today along with the watch gadget.

And possibly iOS7 ??

AAAARRRRRgggggghhhhhh!

I'm still running 5.1.

Wired.

[tubemonkey]

I'm waiting for a larger iPhone. The current ones are too small.

[MeSue]

I think the only reason the iPad 4 was released this past fall was because of the new connector. For people who buy iPhone 5 and iPad--they aren't going to be happy about having 2 different connectors. So they had to put an update out so that everything has the same connector.

I'm hoping for a March release of iPad mini with retina display. I'll buy one even if the price stays the same, but I'd probably still keep my iPad 3. No compelling reason to upgrade it, and I'm stuck with the old connector on my iPhone 4s anyway.

Once Marvin App gets auto-scroll I am going to want to kick my Nexus 7 to the curb, but I REALLY would prefer a better screen on the iPad mini before I do that.

And if Apple does go to a 6 month release cycle... it doesn't bother me a bit. The stuff holds its value very well, and it gives you more opportunities to upgrade, if you choose to. I don't mind trading up if I can get back 70% of my investment on the older model. How many tech items can you say that about?

[injapan]

Originally Posted by afv011

There was quite a backslash when the ipad 4 was announced, as folks found themselves with an obsolete (in their minds) device after only a few months. Might change people's buying patterns if they change to a 6 month cycle; people might actually hold out buying, delaying until the next one comes along as 6 months is not that long of a cycle.

obsolete? maybe yes on paper, but not much is different between these iPads!

I think they are wise to keep ahead like this, good on them

Originally Posted by Cheeky1

They need to slow it down.

Hey Cheeky1
Sure the products of Apple are much better than others in the market but now they need to gain pace and offer more devices in the market, as now the number of available options matter to users while picking up devices.

I adore Apple and have an iPhone 5 and a MacBook Pro w. retina display (and have recently gifted an iPad 3 and an iPad Mini to others), but I'm rolling my eyes at the potential release of an iPad 5 and iPad Mini 2 so soon. Apple seem to be over-saturating their own market...

[Faterson]

iPad Mini 2 can't arrive soon enough because many people are not buying iPad Mini now due to its mediocre screen.

[FlorenceArt]

It annoys me, the faster release cycle, because I see it as an attempt to make me buy more stuff. I can resist the pressure but it is there, even if my current iPad (is it a 3? I'm losing track but I think it's a 3) is working perfectly.

Plus the planned obsolescence, as jswinden says, is bound to accelerate.

[robertc88]

Originally Posted by Faterson

iPad Mini 2 can't arrive soon enough because many people are not buying iPad Mini now due to its mediocre screen.

There are a good deal of people on forums I frequent dumping retina display and not missing it for mini form factor.

[afv011]

Originally Posted by robertc88

There are a good deal of people on forums I frequent dumping retina display and not missing it for mini form factor.

And those will probably be the first in line when the mini the retina is announced...

[HarryT]

Originally Posted by Quake1028

If they go to 6 month refresh cycles, I am out.

Why? Nobody forcing you to buy every new Apple product - if you're happy with what you've got, stick with it. I'm still use my two and a half year-old iPhone, because it does exactly what I want.

[WT Sharpe]

I'm still using my 1st generation iPad, which I was happy with until about a month ago when the developers of several of my apps decided they weren't going to update their apps to run on anything less than iOS 6. iOS 6 doesn't work on the first generation iPad.