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Thinking This iPad Mini Thing Even Througher

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Re: Thinking This iPad Mini Thing Even Througher

#61

Post by TillE »

ghshephard wrote: post #7

I'm not sure what's gotten into Gruber lately, but not only is this entire essay basically attitude free, he's also got a lot of content, and, dare I say, math/geometry in this piece? He gives credit to Digitimes of all orgs for the original (March!) prediction of a thin-bezel ipad - and goes out on a bunch of limbs predicting what the new iPad Mini might look like. In particular, his weight prediction, of 265 grams,…

If you're just reading text-based books, why not go with a Kindle? They're cheap and much better suited to the task.

Graphics-heavy stuff beyond the scope of the Kindle is usually larger format anyway, and even the 10" iPad feels a bit small for that.

Re: Thinking This iPad Mini Thing Even Througher

#62

Post by officemonkey »

ajross wrote: post #23
zachwill wrote: post #15

After reading both this and the iMore article, I really feel like Q4 this year is going to be like nothing we've ever seen. There won't be a reason for the average consumer not to get an iOS device. I think we're heading into a time where Apple's dominance will pass the threshold of what Microsoft had in the 90's. And, if you consider a revamped TV is on the way in a couple years — man, we're talking about iOS in the…

Um... So a quarter notable mostly for Apples entry into a tablet form factor market already pioneered by other competitors is somehow a testament to the platform's... dominance? (I really want to respond to the idea of yearning for another IBM/Microsoft-scale monopoly too, but I'll limit myself to simple snark for now.)

Apple's entry into the phone market already pioneered by other competitors is a testament to the platform's dominance.

Also, no one would be making tablets of any size if it weren't for the success of the iPad (introduced January 2010.) If you recall, 2009 was all about the netbooks. Remember them? Nobody else does either.

The Nexus 7 (released at the end of June) is the first non-iPad tablet of any size that has ever gotten a legit positive review. It's hard to see how the unimpressive Android tablets of the past two years and the Kindle Fire constitute successful pioneering. And now Apple looks to introduce a very strong competitor three months later.

Here's my prediction. Unless the iPad mini is an unmitigated turd, Apple's iPad mini will outsell the Nexus 7 five-to-one during the Christmas quarter. That's platform dominance.

Re: Thinking This iPad Mini Thing Even Througher

#63

Post by officemonkey »

TillE wrote: post #61
ghshephard wrote: post #7

I'm not sure what's gotten into Gruber lately, but not only is this entire essay basically attitude free, he's also got a lot of content, and, dare I say, math/geometry in this piece? He gives credit to Digitimes of all orgs for the original (March!) prediction of a thin-bezel ipad - and goes out on a bunch of limbs predicting what the new iPad Mini might look like. In particular, his weight prediction, of 265 grams,…

If you're just reading text-based books, why not go with a Kindle? They're cheap and much better suited to the task. Graphics-heavy stuff beyond the scope of the Kindle is usually larger format anyway, and even the 10" iPad feels a bit small for that.

EInk Kindles can't really do email, or twitter, or skype or angry birds. Right now I tote around three devices (four when I haul my laptop.) A smaller iPad means I get rid of the Kindle and the iPod touch.

Re: Thinking This iPad Mini Thing Even Througher

#65

Post by __chrismc »

mcantelon wrote: post #35

>If you think these stories appearing within a day of each other in the two most-respected business publications in the U.S. — at the same time the Nexus 7 reviews began appearing and the device started shipping to customers — is merely coincidental and not a strategic competitive leak from Apple PR, then I would like to invite you to play in my poker game. >The angle to these stories is not merely “Apple is set to r…

You seem to assume the "iPad Mini" hasn't been in development since well before the Nexus 7.

Given how short a timeframe (4 months) Google gave the development of the Nexus 7[1], and Apple's supposed "don't release until it's 'perfect'" attitude, I wouldn't be surprised if it was indeed the case that the iPad Mini entered development first. If so, does it really count as "me too"? Or just later to market?

(speculation) What if the Nexus 7 was a response to the rumoured possibility of a 7-inch iPad? A way to try and capture that segment of the market before Apple rolled into town?

[1]:http://www.forbes.com/sites/danielnyegriffiths/2012/08/06/se...

Re: Thinking This iPad Mini Thing Even Througher

#66

Post by zerohm »

I enjoy reading Gruber quite a bit, but it's not for his snark or his analysis. It's for his perspective. He has lots of readers because he can connect the dots. He finds stories or details that may not seem relevant at first glance, but are signs of where things are headed.

He also loves to call bullshit on trashy link bait.

Re: Thinking This iPad Mini Thing Even Througher

#67

Post by scdc »

hack_edu wrote: post #36

The thinness angle doesn't sound right to me and would be a bad decision to trade it for real features. Thinness is important, don't get me wrong, but nearly all iOS device users use cases. The thickness of a case can often double overall size and weight in your hand. This that isn't going to change, probably ever.

I love using my iPhone without a case. Been case-less since 2007. Feels so nice in the hand and slides into my pocket more easily without a case. Reminds me of this line from Steven Levy's Wired piece where he's talking to Jobs: "When I pulled out my iPod—I was using it as a recording device—he was horrified to see that it was covered by a plastic case, something that he considered an abomination." http://www.wired.com/magazine/2011/11/ff_stevejobs/all/1

Re: Thinking This iPad Mini Thing Even Througher

#68

Post by freehunter »

zachrose wrote: post #37
fratis wrote: post #26

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Alternatively, maybe soon – with the small iPad filling the $249 price gap – Apple will finally kill the iPod Classic and cut prices on the rest of the line. They've been manufacturing the lower quality retina display for the iPod Touch for two years, and costs must be down significantly. Combine that with falling costs for flash storage, and I could see them going down to $150-$250 for the Touch ($150 for 16GB up to…

I'm hoping they keep the iPod Classic around, regardless of how well they sell. In my mind, it's the seed of the Apple renaissance.

There really is a dearth of high-capacity PMPs anymore. I still have my Zune 120 in my truck, constantly plugged into the stereo. I sync it over wifi when I want to add new music, and I have my entire music collection available if a certain song unexpectedly pops into my head and I have to listen to it. 64GB is still too small and too expensive to be feasible for carrying around an entire catalog. With the Zune gone, Apple is the only game in town for high quality, high capacity media players (surprisingly, CNet doesn't include it in their "best hard drive mp3 player" list, only the mediocre Archos 5 at $500).

Re: Thinking This iPad Mini Thing Even Througher

#69

Post by smackfu »

zerohm wrote: post #66

I enjoy reading Gruber quite a bit, but it's not for his snark or his analysis. It's for his perspective. He has lots of readers because he can connect the dots. He finds stories or details that may not seem relevant at first glance, but are signs of where things are headed. He also loves to call bullshit on trashy link bait.

>He also loves to call bullshit on trashy link bait.

By linking to it. On his massive blog.

Re: Thinking This iPad Mini Thing Even Througher

#70

Post by philbarr »

officemonkey wrote: post #63
TillE wrote: post #61

Earlier quoted context omitted.

If you're just reading text-based books, why not go with a Kindle? They're cheap and much better suited to the task. Graphics-heavy stuff beyond the scope of the Kindle is usually larger format anyway, and even the 10" iPad feels a bit small for that.

EInk Kindles can't really do email, or twitter, or skype or angry birds. Right now I tote around three devices (four when I haul my laptop.) A smaller iPad means I get rid of the Kindle and the iPod touch.

Really? I find reading on any device for a decent length of time that isn't e-ink a real pain.
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