In mid of the last month, there was a big question that could Apple launch its ‘mini iPad‘ this year? But, I regretted on the speculations, indeed, what’s the need for the company to launch mini iPad? Previously, I have illustrated why 10-inch Tablet is the best for users’ experiences. Once again, the discussion has become one of the hottest topics across the world. Really, this topic came up again on Thursday this week, when founder of American Internet Broadcasting “5by5”– Dan Benjamin– asked Apple’s enthusiast and writer at Daring Fireball–John Gruber–about the possibility of Apple to make a 7-inch Tablet.
On the question, Gruber responded: “Well, I don’t know. What I do know is that they have one in the lab. A 7.85 inch iPad that runs at 1024×768. It’s just like the regular iPad shrunk down a bit. Apps wouldn’t need to be recompiled or redesigned to work optimally on it, it’s just the iPad, smaller. Which I didn’t believe at first, but I’ve heard this before, and I’ve done a little screenshot testing on an iPad.”
IBT has reportedly stated that Apple is working on its 7.85 inch iPad 4, and scheduled to launch in October this year. However, it has been one month since Apple’s the third generation iPad launched.
Previously, I elaborated some of the reasons why Apple could not launch its mini iPad this year. The reason is quite obvious that consumers still want iPad–the company sold 15.4 million iPad and had 54.7% market share in Q4 (calender) last year. If Apple has finally decided to come up with its new mini iPad (What IBT called it as iPad 4) in October this year, definitely, it will create a major problem for apps developers—currently, they are developing apps for two screen size one of 4.5-inch and other 10-inch.
If we subtly think that what is the urgency for the company to launch mini Tablet this year, although, it has already introduced its third generation Tablet in the beginning of March? The company seems quite apprehensive with the prevalence of 7-inch tablet in the market. Amazon, Barns & Noble and even Samsung are currently more emphasizing on 7-inch Tablet design. However, the demand of 7-inch Tablets in the last holiday season is enough to threat iPad manufacturer.
Foremost important, the augmenting demand of low-price Tablets in the emerging markets have also compelled Apple to consider how to reduce the price of its iPad. Presently, Amazon and Barns & Noble have decided to slash the price of their Tablet this year, besides, Google has also promulgated to launch its extraordinary 7-inch Tablet this year for $149. Indeed, low-price plays a vital role to lure a vast numbers of folks worldwide and Apple is knowing the fact very well.
