Hacker News Board Hacker News, browsed like a classic message board
Live data from Hacker News

Let’s Try to Think This iPad Mini Thing All the Way Through

daringfireball.net

Post reply on HN
Print view View original

11–20 of 77 posts

Re: Let’s Try to Think This iPad Mini Thing All the Way Through

#11

Post by mtgx »

wiredfool wrote: post #8

I think that in time, there will be an array of iOS devices at all price points from the ca. $100 to the laptop like $1k. (with some adjustments for carrier subsidies). They did it before with the iPod, from $99, add $50 for more storage, add $50 for a different form factor, and so on, for every price point between $100 and $400. Right now, the iPod touch is at $200, the iPad at 400, and 500-800. Phones are 400-700 w…

The software on the iPod wasn't much of a problem, though. For iOS devices they need to keep supporting the older hardware, and I don't think they can do that for hardware that is older than 3 generations/years. We're already seeing how some major features are not landing on even newer than 3 generations devices, like Maps and Navigation on iPad 1 and iPhone 4.

Re: Let’s Try to Think This iPad Mini Thing All the Way Through

#12

Post by illicium »

droithomme wrote: post #2

So now, with full screen interfaces only, we need to create artwork and a UI scaled and designed separately for: 1. iPhone/iPod 640×960 at 326ppi 2. iPad dimensions 1024x768 at 132PPI 3. Retina iPad 2048×1536 at 264PPI 4. iPad mini at 1024x768, but smaller pixels and yet expected same physical size controls, so interface has to be redone again specific for this one. 5. Whatever is after that. That's a lot of design v…

What about earlier-gen 320x240 iPhones (3GS; still in production!) and iPod touches? Does anyone develop with these screen sizes in mind?

Reminds me of the "Android is fragmented" cliche.

Re: Let’s Try to Think This iPad Mini Thing All the Way Through

#13

Post by mturmon »

wiredfool wrote: post #8

I think that in time, there will be an array of iOS devices at all price points from the ca. $100 to the laptop like $1k. (with some adjustments for carrier subsidies). They did it before with the iPod, from $99, add $50 for more storage, add $50 for a different form factor, and so on, for every price point between $100 and $400. Right now, the iPod touch is at $200, the iPad at 400, and 500-800. Phones are 400-700 w…

Sounds reasonable. This idea is in Gruber's article, when he quotes Tim Cook saying (about iPhone) that Apple did not want to leave a "price umbrella" -- an open price range leaving a niche in which competitors could flourish.

Re: Let’s Try to Think This iPad Mini Thing All the Way Through

#14

Post by stevenj »

Honestly, I don't know why Apple would create an iPad mini.

I have an iPad 2 and absolutely love it. There isn't another tablet I'd trade it in for (other than an iPad 3). I surely wouldn't trade it in for an iPad mini.

Paul Buchheit once said: "If your product is great, it doesn't need to be good."

To me, the iPad is a great product. Focus on making it better.

As Steve Jobs has said: "It's what you don't do that matters most." (Paraphrased.)

Re: Let’s Try to Think This iPad Mini Thing All the Way Through

#15

Post by Zenst »

b0sk wrote: post #5
Zenst wrote: post #4

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Not when your outlining a iPad mini using the same resolution as the original iPad. In that case there is no more work than is already involved. Nothing stopping you doing your graphics at a higher resolution and working in that then scalling down. Also the harder it gets then the less competition, which for you a developer has to be good if people are put of by having to design/do work.

I don't get the last point. It's a level playing field. If it's more work for other developers, it's more work for you too.

Last point being that if the person who write application has to do more work and effort then it will put more people off and as such mean more work for those who can be assed to do that extra little bit of work.

Re: Let’s Try to Think This iPad Mini Thing All the Way Through

#16

Post by nirvana »

stevenj wrote: post #14

Honestly, I don't know why Apple would create an iPad mini. I have an iPad 2 and absolutely love it. There isn't another tablet I'd trade it in for (other than an iPad 3). I surely wouldn't trade it in for an iPad mini. Paul Buchheit once said: "If your product is great, it doesn't need to be good." To me, the iPad is a great product. Focus on making it better. As Steve Jobs has said: "It's what you don't do that mat…

I have a Retina iPad and I would trade it for an iPad mini.

The iPhone is small enough to use every day, but it compromises in its smallness. The iPad is great- probably the best web browsing experience anywhere, and with apps like Flipboard and iBooks, etc, I just love it.

But the iPad is too big. I use it a lot less because it is too cumbersome.

An iPad mini might give me the greatness of the iPad in a smaller package. I don't know if it will be small enough to go with me all the time or not.

I can say one thing for certain: If it is under $400, I will buy one, no question.

Re: Let’s Try to Think This iPad Mini Thing All the Way Through

#17

Post by nirvana »

droithomme wrote: post #2

So now, with full screen interfaces only, we need to create artwork and a UI scaled and designed separately for: 1. iPhone/iPod 640×960 at 326ppi 2. iPad dimensions 1024x768 at 132PPI 3. Retina iPad 2048×1536 at 264PPI 4. iPad mini at 1024x768, but smaller pixels and yet expected same physical size controls, so interface has to be redone again specific for this one. 5. Whatever is after that. That's a lot of design v…

No, there are only two interfaces you make-- the iPhone and the iPad versions. These are your two code paths and the two Interface Builder projects.

You want to make normal and 2X graphics of course, but for all of them this just means making 2X graphics and downsizing for a normal version as well.

The iPad mini will use a screen with the dimensions of the original iPad and the touch targets will be of sufficient size (people did the math on this months ago, it works out fine.... the touch targets are closer to the iPhone size but plenty big.)

Re: Let’s Try to Think This iPad Mini Thing All the Way Through

#18

Post by Tloewald »

illicium wrote: post #12
droithomme wrote: post #2

So now, with full screen interfaces only, we need to create artwork and a UI scaled and designed separately for: 1. iPhone/iPod 640×960 at 326ppi 2. iPad dimensions 1024x768 at 132PPI 3. Retina iPad 2048×1536 at 264PPI 4. iPad mini at 1024x768, but smaller pixels and yet expected same physical size controls, so interface has to be redone again specific for this one. 5. Whatever is after that. That's a lot of design v…

What about earlier-gen 320x240 iPhones (3GS; still in production!) and iPod touches? Does anyone develop with these screen sizes in mind? Reminds me of the "Android is fragmented" cliche.

Um what? 3GS is 480x320. There's retina (2x) or non retina, iPhone or iPad

Android fragmentation is a cliche because it's true.

Re: Let’s Try to Think This iPad Mini Thing All the Way Through

#19

Post by Tloewald »

wiredfool wrote: post #8

I think that in time, there will be an array of iOS devices at all price points from the ca. $100 to the laptop like $1k. (with some adjustments for carrier subsidies). They did it before with the iPod, from $99, add $50 for more storage, add $50 for a different form factor, and so on, for every price point between $100 and $400. Right now, the iPod touch is at $200, the iPad at 400, and 500-800. Phones are 400-700 w…

The thing which attracts me to windows 8 (or maybe 9) is that it will run on everything. If I want to build giant wall sized touch apps, I can.

I hope Apple releases a headless iOS box (some kind of AppleTV descendant?) at some point so that arbitrary touch surfaces can be powered by iOS. (I doubt Apple will release a software only iOS to compete with Windows, so this is the best I can reasonably hope for).

Re: Let’s Try to Think This iPad Mini Thing All the Way Through

#20

Post by mrtron »

stevenj wrote: post #14

Honestly, I don't know why Apple would create an iPad mini. I have an iPad 2 and absolutely love it. There isn't another tablet I'd trade it in for (other than an iPad 3). I surely wouldn't trade it in for an iPad mini. Paul Buchheit once said: "If your product is great, it doesn't need to be good." To me, the iPad is a great product. Focus on making it better. As Steve Jobs has said: "It's what you don't do that mat…

Apple is just getting back to its roots of success - multiple product versions.

Obviously an iPod was amazing, but they captured a huge chunk of the market when they came out with the lesser Nano.

I think tablets are hitting the phase where it is less about the features and more about true mass market adoption. The key to this is grabbing the huge chunk of the more price sensitive buyers - who appear to be quickly running to the Nexus 7.

Apple and Google are fighting to make money on the backend from each tablet sold. Content distribution tax will likely propel one or both of them to new heights in revenue.

Post reply on HN