The case for a 7.8” iPad • Hacker News Board

Re: The case for a 7.8” iPad

#21

Post by protomyth » Thu, Jul 05, 2012, 8:50 PM UTC

pvidler wrote: post #17

ajaimk wrote: post #12

4(iPod touch and iPhone), 7.85, 9.7 = Apple trying to do to tablets what they did for MP3 players. Dominate every possible price range with a slightly more expensive and greatly superior product. Dominate the supply chain and maximize profits. People are willing to pay the $100 premium is Apple makes a better product (No, I don't want a iOS vs. Android discussion here). I'd say, the 7.85" is coming out soon. Also, th…

Is it likely to be a $100 premium? The iPad 3 is $499 and the iPad 2 is $399, so I'd expect what amounts to a mini iPad 2 to be maybe $299... So based on that I assume you are comparing it to the new google tablet, except that this is being sold at cost -- I don't think we'll be seeing too many android tablets of comparable quality at that price.

If they do release a iPad mini, I would expect Apple to quit making the iPad 2. I also would expect the $299 price point, but would not be surprised if the went $249 or $199.

Re: The case for a 7.8” iPad

#22

Post by sjmulder » Thu, Jul 05, 2012, 8:55 PM UTC

hrktb wrote: post #19

The gist of this discussion is that a little arbitrary shrinking of UI elements won't be a big deal, because the guidelines advocated for a few more pixels on the ipad than on the iphone. It feels like lazy logic, and until now Apple has never forced user apps at a lower physical size that targeted by the developper, at least on the iOS front. Good quality iphone and ipad apps are expected to be pixel perfect and tho…

The point is that UI elements on the iPad are now slightly bigger than on the iPhone because of the lower DPI (ignoring the retina screen). Pixel-wise, UI elements are the same size between the iPad and the iPhone.

Shrinking the iPad to 7.85" would give it the same density as the iPhone and UI elements would be the same size.

Re: The case for a 7.8” iPad

#23

Post by mmobile » Thu, Jul 05, 2012, 9:32 PM UTC

arn wrote: post #2

For visual reference, we made a printable PDF for a 7.85" iPad that shows it in actual size: http://www.macrumors.com/2011/12/23/this-is-what-a-7-85-inch... Or you can view this page on your current iPad: http://cdn.macrumors.com/downloads/ipadmini/ The UI seems fine. As mentioned in the article, elements are no smaller than an iPhone.

Re: The case for a 7.8” iPad

#24

Post by geon » Thu, Jul 05, 2012, 9:48 PM UTC

protomyth wrote: post #10

nchlswu wrote: post #8

I don't see Apple being one to release the tablet just to compete. The 7" would eat into 10" sales and a new formfactor only adds another resolution that devs have to account for (unless the original iPad's resolution is effectively retina at a 7" size?). When it comes to portability, would 7" be that much more portable? I know people can put these in their pockets, but it's hardly practical. Ultimately, it doesn't q…

It would fit the pattern of the iPod if Apple started moving into the lower dollar ranges with new products. Since the article demonstrates that most apps will be fine, it seems like a reasonable win. The retina display is nice in the iPad 3rd generation, so they have a clear differentiator between models besides size.

I have thought about this too, but how it would work for the iPhone product line. What would an iPhone nano or iPhone shuffle look like? Wold there be a market for it?

Obviously, an iPhone "shuffle" would not randomly call people, but could perhaps be displayless. Even voice-only controlled.

Re: The case for a 7.8” iPad

#25

Post by protomyth » Thu, Jul 05, 2012, 10:00 PM UTC

geon wrote: post #24

protomyth wrote: post #10

Earlier quoted context omitted.

It would fit the pattern of the iPod if Apple started moving into the lower dollar ranges with new products. Since the article demonstrates that most apps will be fine, it seems like a reasonable win. The retina display is nice in the iPad 3rd generation, so they have a clear differentiator between models besides size.

I have thought about this too, but how it would work for the iPhone product line. What would an iPhone nano or iPhone shuffle look like? Wold there be a market for it? Obviously, an iPhone "shuffle" would not randomly call people, but could perhaps be displayless. Even voice-only controlled.

For a while, retina versus non-retina displays, lower spec camera, less storage, and different case (new vs classical).

Re: The case for a 7.8” iPad

#26

Post by hrktb » Thu, Jul 05, 2012, 11:45 PM UTC

sjmulder wrote: post #22

hrktb wrote: post #19

The gist of this discussion is that a little arbitrary shrinking of UI elements won't be a big deal, because the guidelines advocated for a few more pixels on the ipad than on the iphone. It feels like lazy logic, and until now Apple has never forced user apps at a lower physical size that targeted by the developper, at least on the iOS front. Good quality iphone and ipad apps are expected to be pixel perfect and tho…

The point is that UI elements on the iPad are now slightly bigger than on the iPhone because of the lower DPI (ignoring the retina screen). Pixel-wise, UI elements are the same size between the iPad and the iPhone. Shrinking the iPad to 7.85" would give it the same density as the iPhone and UI elements would be the same size.

>UI elements would be the same size

I understand your point, UI elements would be the same size as if they were rendered on the iphone. And that's not the same size as they were intended in the first place, if the app targeted the ipad.

Re: The case for a 7.8” iPad

#27

Post by smashing » Fri, Jul 06, 2012, 6:51 AM UTC

mmobile wrote: post #23

arn wrote: post #2

For visual reference, we made a printable PDF for a 7.85" iPad that shows it in actual size: http://www.macrumors.com/2011/12/23/this-is-what-a-7-85-inch... Or you can view this page on your current iPad: http://cdn.macrumors.com/downloads/ipadmini/ The UI seems fine. As mentioned in the article, elements are no smaller than an iPhone.

More good links for a visual reference: Compared to the iPad 3: http://versusio.com/en/apple-ipad-mini-64gb-wifi-cellular-vs... Compared to the Nexus 7: http://versusio.com/en/apple-ipad-mini-64gb-wifi-cellular-vs... To see the 7.85" in real size click in the top right corner.

I think the iPad 3* has 2048-by-1536-pixel resolution. Your site claims it has a 1024-by-768-pixel resolution. Why?

* https://www.apple.com/ipad/specs/

Re: The case for a 7.8” iPad

#28

Post by geon » Fri, Jul 06, 2012, 7:25 AM UTC

protomyth wrote: post #25

geon wrote: post #24

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I have thought about this too, but how it would work for the iPhone product line. What would an iPhone nano or iPhone shuffle look like? Wold there be a market for it? Obviously, an iPhone "shuffle" would not randomly call people, but could perhaps be displayless. Even voice-only controlled.

For a while, retina versus non-retina displays, lower spec camera, less storage, and different case (new vs classical).

No. Compare the iPod touch, to the iPod nano or shuffle. it's a completely diffrent form factor, not just a lower resolution screen.

Re: The case for a 7.8” iPad

#29

Post by protomyth » Fri, Jul 06, 2012, 12:18 PM UTC

geon wrote: post #28

protomyth wrote: post #25

Earlier quoted context omitted.

For a while, retina versus non-retina displays, lower spec camera, less storage, and different case (new vs classical).

No. Compare the iPod touch, to the iPod nano or shuffle. it's a completely diffrent form factor, not just a lower resolution screen.

The principle is to have a range of models, changes to form factor aren't really that easy on a device that developers have to target. That is why I believe the differences will not be form factor based.

Re: The case for a 7.8” iPad

#30

Post by geon » Sat, Jul 07, 2012, 7:43 PM UTC

protomyth wrote: post #29

geon wrote: post #28

Earlier quoted context omitted.

No. Compare the iPod touch, to the iPod nano or shuffle. it's a completely diffrent form factor, not just a lower resolution screen.

The principle is to have a range of models, changes to form factor aren't really that easy on a device that developers have to target. That is why I believe the differences will not be form factor based.

Well, AFAIK, you can't develop third party apps for the ipod shuffle/nano. An iPhone shuffle/nano would not be a smartphone.