Apple Preps for Smaller Tablet - Page 5

Kumabjorn · 07-09-2012, 03:28 PM

For a layperson who doesn't know better, is it that hard to make an app support the three different resolutions?
I would imagine - again not being in the know - that the app could start the download by first checking what the device it is being downloaded to and then download the version appropriate for that device.

=X= · 07-09-2012, 04:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kumabjorn

For a layperson who doesn't know better, is it that hard to make an app support the three different resolutions?
I would imagine - again not being in the know - that the app could start the download by first checking what the device it is being downloaded to and then download the version appropriate for that device.

It is more work, however the level of work will vary on the program. Some programmers have the fore site to design their apps for multiple screen sizes so adding a new screen is not much additional work if any. Other programmers assume one screen size and adding support for a new screen is a lot of work.

Kumabjorn · 07-09-2012, 04:58 PM

So it is all about pre-planning and realizing that change is inevitable?

=X= · 07-09-2012, 05:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kumabjorn

So it is all about pre-planning and realizing that change is inevitable?

I believe that lack of fore site is a reason but another reason might be the speed to deploy is more important. Some devs will sacrifice scalability for a shorter development cycle.

I've been guilty of developing something quick and dirty just to get some visibility then going back and redeveloping a more robust solution.

=X=

afv011 · 07-09-2012, 05:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by =X=

It is more work, however the level of work will vary on the program. Some programmers have the fore site to design their apps for multiple screen sizes so adding a new screen is not much additional work if any. Other programmers assume one screen size and adding support for a new screen is a lot of work.

Don't forget the OS support for variable resolutions and pixel densities. Having to support multiple resolutions/densities is always more work, but that can be improved/exacerbated depending on what the OS gives you.

valar84 · 07-09-2012, 10:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tubemonkey

Still, it's thicker than the touch. When the touch 4 was released and people complained about the 0.7MP cam, various tech sites said the iPhone's cam was too thick to fit in the touch's very thin case. So, have they improved cam tech since then to allow a real cam into the touch?

The Droid RAZR is slightly thinner than the iPod Touch and it packs a 8 MP camera. It's not a matter of camera technology, it's probably a matter of cost. They sell the iPod Touch starting at 199$, and Apple isn't in the habit of making loss-leaders, whereas the iPhone 4S starts at 650$ (you pay less only because the provider pays 450$ in subsidy to Apple). They can afford to put better components in the iPhone than in the iPod Touch.

tubemonkey · 07-10-2012, 01:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by valar84

The Droid RAZR is slightly thinner than the iPod Touch and it packs a 8 MP camera. It's not a matter of camera technology, it's probably a matter of cost. They sell the iPod Touch starting at 199$, and Apple isn't in the habit of making loss-leaders, whereas the iPhone 4S starts at 650$ (you pay less only because the provider pays 450$ in subsidy to Apple). They can afford to put better components in the iPhone than in the iPod Touch.

Where are they measuring the thickness? The top (where the cam is located) is much thicker than the rest of the phone. Several thin Android phones have their cams protruding slightly out of the body, because the rest of the phone is too thin. Also, the iPod touch 4 is almost two years old now, so chances are that today's cams are probably thinner than those from two years ago.

As to cost, a 5MP cam module for the iPhone 4 cost Apple $9.75 each and the 8MP module set them back about $16.50 each. Apple can afford to put a better cam in the iPod touch if they wanted to. Samsung has better cams in their Galaxy Players (plus GPS, card slot, FM radio, compass, etc) and they're cheaper than the iPod touch.

Keep in mind that unlocked phone prices have no relationship to the actual cost of manufacturing them. iSuppli calculated the cost of making an iPhone 4S to be $188. Apple charges $650, because they can get away with it. Google only charges $350 for an unlocked Nexus.

Sil_liS · 07-10-2012, 09:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by stonetools

The rumors speak of a September launch. Even an October launch looks ambitious at this point.

The words "preparing for mass production in September" don't say "September launch" to me. They say that the manufacturers will start making the components in September.

afv011 · 07-10-2012, 11:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sil_liS

The words "preparing for mass production in September" don't say "September launch" to me. They say that the manufacturers will start making the components in September.

Maybe, but they certainly wouldn't want to miss the Xmas period, which means the device has to be ready to ship by October or thereabouts.

Sil_liS · 07-10-2012, 12:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by afv011

Maybe, but they certainly wouldn't want to miss the Xmas period, which means the device has to be ready to ship by October or thereabouts.

Errrr... Xmas is in December. Why would it have to be ready to ship by October?

tubemonkey · 07-10-2012, 12:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sil_liS

Errrr... Xmas is in December. Why would it have to be ready to ship by October?

Christmas shopping kicks off on 22 Nov 2012 (Thanksgiving Day). That's when Black Friday deals will go live for online orders.

A smart company has product on the shelves in retail stores by then.

Sil_liS · 07-10-2012, 12:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tubemonkey

Christmas shopping kicks off on 22 Nov 2012 (Thanksgiving Day). That's when Black Friday deals will go live for online orders.

A smart company has product on the shelves in retail stores by then.

I don't think that that would be true for Apple. I see it as a reason to wait until after Black Friday.

murraypaul · 07-10-2012, 12:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tubemonkey

A smart company has product on the shelves in retail stores by then.

If Apple have announced a product, with a release date after Thanksgiving but before Christmas, people will wait for it. That is the value of a good brand.

heySkippy · 07-10-2012, 12:40 PM

If it's not ready for sale in October, we won't see it until next year. Count on it.

afv011 · 07-10-2012, 03:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sil_liS

Errrr... Xmas is in December. Why would it have to be ready to ship by October?

Logistics. If you don't have it ready by October, you're likely to miss Xmas.

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07-09-2012, 03:28 PM	#61
Kumabjorn Basculocolpic Posts: 4,356 Karma: 20181319 Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Sweden Device: Kindle 3 WiFi, Kindle 4SO, Kindle for Android, Sony PRS-350 and PRS-T1	For a layperson who doesn't know better, is it that hard to make an app support the three different resolutions? I would imagine - again not being in the know - that the app could start the download by first checking what the device it is being downloaded to and then download the version appropriate for that device.

07-09-2012, 04:58 PM	#63
Kumabjorn Basculocolpic Posts: 4,356 Karma: 20181319 Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Sweden Device: Kindle 3 WiFi, Kindle 4SO, Kindle for Android, Sony PRS-350 and PRS-T1	So it is all about pre-planning and realizing that change is inevitable?

07-10-2012, 12:40 PM	#74
heySkippy Groupie Posts: 182 Karma: 1316076 Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Florida Device: iPad	If it's not ready for sale in October, we won't see it until next year. Count on it.

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