Sources Say iPad Mini Event Will Focus on E-Books
The iPad Mini will be pushed as an e-book reader.
Multiple unnamed sources claim that Apple's special event taking place next week will focus on the (currently rumored) iPad Mini as an e-book reader, clearly taking a shot at Amazon's Kindle line.
Apple is reportedly looking to offer its new gadget in the same price range as the Kindle Fire and Nexus 7 tablets, addressing an audience that doesn't find its larger iPad 3 offering financially attractive. The lower price point is expected to generate even more revenue for the fruity company as a fresh new audience scoops up iOS apps, various media and bestsellers from its iBookstore.
To keep the overall cost of the gadget down to a minimum, sources previously said Apple will use a non-Retina display and only offer Wi-Fi connectivity in addition to using other low-cost components. Still, Apple reportedly didn't "skimp on the aesthetics" of the smaller iPad tablet, outshining the iPad 3 "in terms of how the device feels in a consumer's hands."
Last month, one iPad developer claimed that the new tablet may be a spinoff of the revamped iPad 2. "iPad2,4 is the 32-nm die-shrunk update that quietly replaced the 16 GB Wi-Fi iPad 2 when the iPad 3 was released, yielding better battery life and lower cost, and probably partly responsible for the iPad 2’s price drop to $399," the developer wrote. "As far as I know, this was the first time Apple invested in a die shrink mid-cycle for any of the iOS devices."
He then went on to speculate that the iPad2,5 and iPad 2,6 references found in his app's device stats likely refers to Wi-Fi and GSM versions of the iPad Mini. There's a good chance Apple will reveal both versions next week so that customers can access iTunes on their new gadget wherever they are.
As previously reported, the iPad Mini event will supposedly take place on October 23, three days before Microsoft launches Windows 8 and its own Surface tablets. Barnes & Noble has already showed its new tablet hand, now taking pre-orders for the 7-inch Nook HD and 9-inch Nook HD+ scheduled to ship in November. The company even revealed a new multi-platform video service, seemingly taking on Google, Amazon and Apple all in one swift stroke.
Rumors surfaced over the summer that Apple might push the 7-inch iPad Mini as an e-reader, or rather, as an iBook Reader. The company is facing fierce competition from rival Amazon which offers not only Kindle devices, but Kindle apps across numerous platforms. Apple may sense the need for a smaller form factor so that book readers can easily carry an electronic iOS-based reader in their pocket, purse and more. And by offering a smaller iPad, Apple stands a good chance to boost sales in the iBookstore.
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Kevin Parrish has over a decade of experience as a writer, editor, and product tester. His work focused on computer hardware, networking equipment, smartphones, tablets, gaming consoles, and other internet-connected devices. His work has appeared in Tom's Hardware, Tom's Guide, Maximum PC, Digital Trends, Android Authority, How-To Geek, Lifewire, and others.
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JOSHSKORN Maybe without Steve Jobs, Apple should just focus on ONE product so they don't screw it up. Ahh what am I kidding, I love Apple Fails. :DReply -
IQ11110002 Reading a book on a 7 inch screen, Still a fail in my opinion no matter which brand we are talking about!Reply
10inch tablet is a good size, Almost A4 magazine size(one page). Why Downgrade to a smaller reader? Niche market for sure for those who like to read the small novels, Even then I would still rather read it on a larger screen and increase the text size or zoom in, Old age is a bitch! -
assasin32 IQ11110002Reading a book on a 7 inch screen, Still a fail in my opinion no matter which brand we are talking about!10inch tablet is a good size, Almost A4 magazine size(one page). Why Downgrade to a smaller reader? Niche market for sure for those who like to read the small novels, Even then I would still rather read it on a larger screen and increase the text size or zoom in, Old age is a bitch! You should take a look at a kindle with the e-ink I find that to be more clear and legible than normal paper and the words just pop off the page and are easy to read. I was impressed when a friend showed me one a few years ago. You can easily make do with a smaller screen with that kind of technology.Reply
Though a 7in screen on a tablet, that comes down to 2 things I think the display being used and program if it has the proper text, background and sizable text and easy to turn pages. I personally think a full size tablet be a bit annoying to carry and would use a 7in more as it feels more mobile to me and I don't feel l have to pack it up to bring it somewhere, just toss it in my cargo/jacket pocket and I am done. -
Vladislaus IQ11110002Reading a book on a 7 inch screen, Still a fail in my opinion no matter which brand we are talking about!10inch tablet is a good size, Almost A4 magazine size(one page). Why Downgrade to a smaller reader? Niche market for sure for those who like to read the small novels, Even then I would still rather read it on a larger screen and increase the text size or zoom in, Old age is a bitch!No, a 10 inch tablet isn't a very good reader, mostly because of it's weight. And unless you only read magazines, a 7 inch is much better.Reply -
ivanto VladislausNo, a 10 inch tablet isn't a very good reader, mostly because of it's weight. And unless you only read magazines, a 7 inch is much better.Reply
I have iPads since 2010. Weight is not a problem at all, it's size is. Smaller iPad that fits in the pocket is very welcomed. Two month ago, I was buying Google Nexus tablet at Future Shop but it was sold out. I think there is room for 7". Thank you Google and Amazon for making that format popular.
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bllue Why pay $399 for an iPad Mini when you can buy an Amazon Kindle for $69 or Kindle Paperwhite for $119? Amazon has a bigger selection of books and at way better, WAY BETTER prices. Let's not forget Apple was at the forefront of manipulating the book industry by forcing a price increase of ebooks to $14.99.Reply -
del35 Surely iZombies are soooooooooooooooooooo clueless that most of them dont know that any smartphone with a large screen can act as a ebook-- not the latest iJailedyou phone with its tiny screen. There was a reason for that tiny coke-can aluminum phone. iSwindle will manage to convince the legion of morons that flock to its products that they need an iPad mini to read ebooks, even if they already have the iPad.Reply -
del35 ReplyWhy pay $399 for an iPad Mini when you can buy an Amazon Kindle for $69 or Kindle Paperwhite for $119?
Dumb people dont think that way. Imagine the logo--so so impressive to the moron sitting next to you. Well, he might actually think you are technologically informed if he sees that Apple logo on your device!!! Learn to think like an iJailed technologically sub-literate iZombie. -
IQ11110002 But at 7 inches it would be a better option just to buy a Galaxy Note II or similar, Getting a phone and a tablet in one device that you can carry around. Not every one out there can afford to buy seperate devices for different functions, Many will opt for one device that does everything!Reply
I guess time will tell in the sales but I don't see it being as successful as their other products.