A rumor published this morning predicts that Apple will release it’s long-rumored 12.9-inch iPad Pro alongside the next generation iPad mini during the second half of the holiday season in Q4. Both will allegedly be assembled exclusively by Foxconn. That much we knew.
Speculation from Asian sources referenced by Economic Daily News suggests that Apple wants to ensure that nothing distracts from the focus on the larger iPad Pro, meaning the iPad Air 3 launch would be pushed back until 2016. In this seemingly unlikely scenario, when a Pro tablet is eventually launched, it’s more likely to fit a niche in the market rather than be the new, main device Cupertino is touting.
What’s more, the story goes as far as suggesting that Apple might discontinue the iPad mini range altogether after the 4th generation mini. This suggestion itself is highly speculative. We’re not sure even Apple would know if the iPad mini 4 is its last mini tablet, or not, at this point in time. That seems like a decision that would be made after seeing how the market reacts to the mini 4. Perhaps Apple is planning to build a hybrid Mini/iPod touch next year?
Saying that, with the iPhone 6 Plus on the market now, Apple has a large smartphone on the market which could cannibalize sales of any small tablets it sells. Especially when the presumed second generation 6 Plus hits store shelves.
With the iPad Pro, Apple is expected to launch a large tablet to bridge a gap which may, or may not, exist between tablets and laptops. Or more specifically, between iPad Air and MacBook. With the launch of multi-window multitasking in iOS 9, a larger screened tablet seems a no-brainer. iOS 9 itself also seemingly contains code pointing towards an iPad with a larger screen and higher resolution than the iPad Air currently on the market.
As always, treat any of this information as speculation and take the appropriate dosage of salt along with it. We’re doubtful of a lot being rumored from EDN.
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I’ve always thought that Apple should market the iPod Touch as an iPhone sans cellular and as such, there should be two models that mimic the two sizes of iPhone. The larger one would certainly bump into the current size of an iPad mini.
The iPad mini is a great size and remains popular but would an iPhone 6 Plus-sized iPad mini do as well or is it too small?
It would be fun to be a fly on the wall of Apple’s marketing department when they discuss stuff like this.
My new boss has agreed to get me an iPad. Should I wait? I’m handing back my Air 1 today (leaving job) so was thinking of waiting until October to see if Air 3 comes out. (I’m a teacher so the summer doesn’t matter and working through September without an iPad isn’t much to ask.) Any advice / opinions?
I would wait for the Air 3 comes out, if you can. I always advise people to buy a new model within 6 months of being released and if it’s been longer than 6 months, then it’s probably a good idea to wait for the next model, if you can. If you can’t, then by all means, go right ahead, but if you can wait, then it’s typically a good idea.
I don’t mind waiting. I’ll wait.
An iPod touch should remain an iPod which is a device mainly for listening to music and consumption of media. There is no need for a bigger iPod; people wouldn’t want to go out running with a large device for music. Small and compact should be what characterizes it. And yes we can argue that it’s current size right now isn’t too petite. However the need for a bigger sized one doesn’t really make sense considering what its main purpose is. The iPad mini on the other hand is an alot more capable computing device whose appeal is enhanced by its portability. I have owned both the normal sized iPad and the iPad mini and I’d have to say that the mini definitely took the cake when it came to size for me. I use my mini as main tablet or computing device when I’m at home and traveling because it is so compact and can do everything I need to do on it. It’s not a phone which is mostly for calling but encoporates a little bit of everything for convenience, but it is a full blown computing device made with focus on portability and ease of user experience. Why would anyone want to pull at out a 12 inch screen to read a book in the middle of the train? And why would anyone want to write a blogpost on a phone? sometimes some people just don’t want to be on their phones… But granted the iPad air isn’t that massive but larger icons on an iPad Os isn’t really more important than compactness of the device. And yes compactness is relative but inconveniencing some customers by forcing them to buy a bigger device isn’t really fair. Common Apple keep the mini!
Very bad Idea to stop the Ipad Mini, for me the Mini Ipad is what made me to love Apple.