Chinese site claims design of Apple's 7-inch iPad is 'finished' - Page 2

7" in a 4:3 aspect ratio for sure. There are plenty of photos showing people palming 7" widescreen tablets.

From my perspective, a 7" iPad in a 4:3 form factor doesn't really provide much benefit when compared to the 10" version. It won't really be much more portable, and offering a widescreen iPad doesn't make sense given the success of the 4:3 model. I can't help but think these 7" iPad rumors are false.

I totally agree with your conclusions, but not with the bit about using the iPad in portrait mode.

If you are a writer and want to use the iPad for a portable writing tool (something they advertise it for), you are basically out of luck because it isn't really possible to type efficiently on the current iPad in *any* orientation while still being mobile.

That being said, I don't find the oft-quoted "flipping over" issue really exists. Thumb typing in portrait mode is simply the most effective and fastest way to type except for the option of attaching a real keyboard. The problem I have on the iPad is that it hurts your hands (a lot!), to try to thumb type on it. I have very large hands and it's a stretch to hold it at all let alone reach over to the centre keys. It never once has seemed in danger of flipping out of my hands though.

I think that the main reason Apple never shows anyone in their advertisements typing on it in portrait mode is to forestall the inevitable lawsuits by people who hurt their hands trying. if this thing is real, I predict it will be marketed as an iPad "Pro", the emphasis will be on productivity, and all the commercials will show people thumb typing like crazy on it.

Not a reliable source of Information. So at this time the 7" ipad continues to be strictly rumor.

Well, I'm not a writer, and maybe we have a different idea of efficiency, but I find the iPad works great for landscape typing, especially at the angle the Apple case puts it, resting on your lap, a coffee table, or any horizontal surface.

I'm not buying into it yet either. I made the point earlier (maybe in another thread) that medical personnel are already lugging around laptops and netbooks. My own doctor does that now. An iPad would be no more difficult to carry around than a pile of medical charts, which they've done for decades without breaking their arms. A damn sight less difficult, really, if all the charts they need are on the iPad. It's also a no-brainer to design a simple pocket slipcase with a shoulder strap.

i can see how a 7"ish ipad would be wonderful for certain work areas. waiters/waitresses, hospitals evidently, anywhere you have to be mobile and need to slide the device in a big pocket from time to time. would love if you could go to stores and ask 'do you have such and such' and not have to follow the salesperson around looking for a terminal or the actual product they could just whip out the ipad and look it up. the 10" is a bit large for that type of thing.
but all in all why would one not like apple to put out another ipad? the more the merrier!

Sorry I wasn't specific enough. By "mobile" I mean on the go. If you have to put it on a table to use it, it isn't "mobile typing" by my definition. You might as well use a laptop in that case (IMO of course).

Previous to the debut of the iPad, it was widely considered that the main (somewhat insurmountable) problems with tablet computing were of course weight, portability, and the need for a stylus, but also the ability to use it standing up or walking, and the ability to hold it in one hand comfortably for any length of time. In other words, portability/mobility a la Apple's Newton device. The iPad is great, but it totally fails to solving some of these problems.

You can "sorta" hold it in one hand, but not for long. It's super light, but still not *that* light. You can kind of use it while walking/standing, but you have to put it on a table top and pretend it's a laptop most of the time etc. The only real big win is the multi-touch means you don't need a stylus, although even there, you really do if you want to use it for any kind of serious art-work.

I'm hot for a 7" tablet, because it basically solves all of these issues except for the stylus thing.

I write huge amounts on my iPhone and I'm almost as fast in portrait mode as I am on a keyboard. The iPad has fallen down for me and after three weeks of daily testing as my main writing device, I have now relegated it to "comic book reader" status and hardly use it.

If Apple *doesn't* create an iPad this size, I will probably be buying a (shudder) Galaxy Tab running the craptastic Android OS. I'm tired of waiting since I've been waiting for this kind of thing since about 1990.

No doubt Apple is working on a 7" as well as other form factors.

Not gonna happen??

Just think - what is the fastest growing part of the iTunes store?

Answer = games, games, games.

SJ must be fed up with all the roadblocks from the TV/Film companies. The games companies are happy to make content for iTunes. No problemo Steve. Just look at the last few SJ keynotes - see any media companies on stage? No I didn't they were games people and pro business apps people coz that's where Apple see the main sellers.

So why 6/7" iPad - coz it would be a cool portable games machine. Lighter and more portable than the current iPad.

a) I don't have any problem typing one-handed while standing. sure it's slower than two-handed typing, but it's not terrible, and the arm holding it doesn't get tired, even though I don't spend a lot of time at the gym.

b) I don't think standing and walking is a time when one is seriously productive at typing in any form factor. when you want to actually be productive at something typing related, you need to stop and focus or you just won't be, so I don't see this a a real downside of the iPad

Apple will not only make this 7" iPad. They will have to make even more products.
They need to go from 30 products to 50 products quick. They don't want to be to embarrassed in being the biggest Market Cap company in the world with just so few items being sold.

Of course Apple will want to sell a 7" iPad. They want to have a WiFi capable anything in as many peoples hands as soon as possible.

I think they will be adjusting their prices downward to start hurting ALL the competition. How many other companies are set up NOW to take advantage of this new WiFi coming up real soon.

Google will probably spend some money in getting as many people as possible on this. Microsoft
will also want to stay close on this to have their Bing Thing stay close to Google. ( I can't understand what Dell, HP, and the others will benefit from this )

As far as Apple. They will benefit more than anyone else. With FaceTime even the iPhone will become closer to a Touch in a few years.

I don't really think they seem too embarrassed at this point by the strategy that got them there. I think they've realized the truth that too much choice isn't really a good thing, that too much choice just makes it harder to make the right choice.

It would be nice if the device didn't huts detect x|y orientation but also had sensors that could determine how you were holding it so it could place a curved thumb accessible keyboard on the sides. On the iPhone and touch rhumb typing on a standard keyboard layout is fine as it's small enough to travel halfway or more across the keyboard area. As I'm sure you know, this is far accessible on the iPad.

Of course, there are many other things that need to happen first.

You know every time i look at a video of the new Samsung Galaxy Tab i think it could hurt Apple. I have all iOS devices, pending delivery of my new Apple TV, so i'm a big fan and i'd love to see Apple go down this route.

Question is, would it cannibalise iPad sales whilst it's still gaining momentum?

A 7" iPad would definitely cannibalize iPad sales. However, with a contract requirement, I don't think the Galaxy Tab is going anywhere but to hardcore, Android-loving geeks.

I'm not so sure. They copied the iPad pretty thoroughly but all those fine touches and attention to detail just aren't there after watching the 10 minute video yesterday. Plus, they just copy the ecosystem Apple created. Then there is the prices. Unless it's for a specific need that the ipad doesnt offer or for an irrational hatred od Apple I can easily see someone paying for the iPad over equivalent price points stated by other tablet makers.


Always better to cannabalize your product than to let someone else do it. It's possible Apple t feedback from hundreds of businesses saying the iPad is too big, thus they are looking at competitors, and their number crunchers said this could hurt their dominance... but I doubt it

i think the samsung tab sales will make the nexus one look like a mega hit.

RIM is coming out with a 7" tablet next month. This is probably what the employee is referring to...

I would welcome a 7" Apple tablet. Current size is a bit big to be portable without being noticeable.

Exactly.

The screen on the iPhone is too small. People here don't seem to have noticed that ours is an aging society and eyesight is one of the first things to degrade as one gets into middle age.

The iPhone requires an expensive call/data plan and the iPod touch doesn't offer one. That leaves a gaping hole for people who want information on the run, but don't want to be or can't afford to be locked into an iPhone plan.

The iPad is a great device with the option of 3G data and the kind of font sizes that even older eyes can cope with, but it's big and heavy. It can't go with you unless you're willing to carry a bag for it or tuck it under your arm like a book. As one medical professional mentioned it's too big for the pocket on his coat and those are really big pockets.

Thus a mid-size device that offers 3G data and fits in many pockets makes perfect sense. I'll be first in line the day Apple offers one for sale.

This is your puzzling concept for today.

I have to agree as it is right up there with the lack of RAM as a reason not to buy. Videos are of course one important aspect but the smaller size is important for other uses too. The aspect ratio is much more useful in that size for E-Books and magazines/newspapers. Portability is nothing to sneeze at either. I just hope Apple isn't stingy with the Flash storage.

Two entirely different devices so pricing is no issue. It is no different than Ford having several vehicles in the $20000 range or the $30000 dollar range. The sticker may be the same but the markets served are different.

Frankly I'm totally surprised that anybody out there thinks pricing is an issue to even bring up. It is your competition that you have to worry about.

Because people with no business background or marketing training seem to think they know what market segmentation means and they have had this long held belief that two different products must have different prices that denote which one is "better". In the Apple world, better seems to be a factor of inches so that any product witha 10" screen must cost more than another product with a 7" screen and less than the products with a 13" screen. This makes no sense at all but there are a lot of people on this forum who accept this as gospel.

From Apple's perspective, the question is will having a 7" option expand demand and sales enough to justify the cost of developing a second form factor and the costs of selling and supporting another set of products. Some people will pick one size or the other, and some people will only buy an iPad if the size they want is available. The second group are the only people that count for this decision. If Apple thinks there are enough doctors, restaurants, book readers, and other groups who will not buy 10" iPads but who would find a slimmer 7" model to be very useful, they will make it. If they feel the right price for such a unit is $499, they will price it at $499 and not worry about the price in relation to a 10" model that certainly has a different set of strengths and weaknesses to different potential customers.

LMAO lol:

You've set the trend. Can we have this in our smilies pleeze?

See this is your first problem, you are think too hard.

All of those are possible on an iPhone or a laptop so what is your point. I'm responding to you right now on an iPhone, that doesn't mean it is ideal nor that I "hired" it to respond to you. Rather it is the most convient device I have at the moment.

Cost of entry has nothing to do with it.

Admittedly iPhones screen is a little tough on some sights. However on the vast majority of the sights out there you don't need a 4:3 screen. If anything text comes in columns best read with a wides screen device in vertical mode. Think about how text is delivered on newspapers and magazines. Or take a look at the TEXT on a sheet of letter paper.

The fact is a 7" wide screen tablet would deliver a better reading experience in vertical mode than the current iPad.

This one sentence is what set me off as it highlights a common issue, iPad is not perfect. It isn't even close. When you use a word like perfect and apply it to something like the entire iPad then people will rightfully dismiss you as a crack pot.

A 7" inch device can't be perfect either, it is however a smarter choice for many people simply due to portability. In many ways my iPhone is a compromise too, but that doesn't mean it hasn't been one of my best investments. A seven incher can be seen in the same light, a compromise that will work really well for many users.

Apple only has to sell enough to make a profit. Well that and attract enough developers to leverage the platform. In any event I think you mis a couple of real issues here as iPad isn't portable, at least not in the sense that it can be dropped into a pocket.

If you really have 20 years of marketing under the belt you would realize that there is a wide variety of needs out there. Using your logic, expressed above, Apple would never of had innovated the iPod line up. After all if somebody at Apple didn't think there was a market for different sized iPods we wouldn't have the current lineup.

Frankly I don't get this liberal attitude of one size fits all. It can be likened to the environmentalist and their insistance that everybody should drive an ultra compact car. That of course doesn't work because different people have different needs. If you are 6'-6" tall such vehicles may be impossible or you may have other needs. The market can decide which is profitable.

Right now the market is voteing Apple's iPad for a multitude of reasons. We have remember though that there is one big fact here, it is the only viable device available.


Dave

Well, I can't take credit, which goes to nvidia2008, based on someone else's suggestion.

I don't get it either!

What is even stranger is that people focus on this issue but ignore other pricing issues that are similar in nature. For example the huge jump in Touch prices for another 8GB of flash storage.

Yes Apple has to be convinced the market is worthwhile to pursue. Personally I see demand being greater in the 7" segment than it is with the current iPad. The appeal should be broader than the largeness of the iPad.

Whatever Apple decides isn't what is important in this discussion though. Rather I'm surprised at how many dismiss alternatively sized devices out of hand. I can actually see a range of devices in the <= 7" range and even a bigger iPhone being added to the line up.



Dave

I can't say I'm a fan of the jester jesture.

1) It quotes the, um, jester.
2) That lovable image could easily appear as if you are validating the offending poster's comment if they aren't aware of the reason you are using it?
3) The image without the well reasoned reply could easily have the effect of making you look like the "troll", when that is not the case.

Therefore I much prefer either completely ignoring them or having a well crafted reply that will do several things: bring a sense of reason to a hijacked thread and be witty so we can laugh at their expense.

And while your at it, tell me what "my bad" means. Just because that blond chick says it, now everyone is saying it. I mean, come on folks

Well, with certain posters, any reply is a reply wasted, so, the jester provides an alternative to just ignoring them or wasting time with them. The original suggestion, if I recall, was to just think of these people as jesters, rather than trolls, and, I think the graphic gives them that little tip of the hat that is their due.

Then I suggest an intermediary suggestion between banning them where the mods add a passive-aggressive title in place of Registered User.

Or why Apple bothers having a 15" MBP when the 17" version can already do everything the 15" one does (which is apparently the only criteria for a previous poster).


I was thinking the same thing, that if/when a 7" iPad comes out it will soon outsell the 10" version.

Maybe Apple knows the 10" iPad is a little bigger than ideal. Perhaps higher density screens (to set/maintain the desired resolutions at a smaller size) were too expensive at the time, and they wanted to get it out the door to beat the competition. Maybe they figured the larger form factor would be more appealing to the magazine and newspaper publishers they wanted to get on board. Or perhaps they just wanted to leave room for improvement... you know how Apple loves to shrink things!

I sure hope not. Reading and web in portrait orientation on a 16:9 ratio would be awful. I'd rather have a ratio that works for 90% of the iPad's functions and have letter boxing on the rare occasion I watch a widescreen movie on such a small screen.

How about if they add the Jester icon under "Registered User"?

But really, is it any different than replying with a or a ? I don't think so, just has a different meaning.

I’m not sure if that is possible with the vBulletin default settings, but if it is I then vote for BioHazard symbol.

Or Goatse as then everyone would have on their ignore lists. :barf:

700-500 grams...

The two heaviest items are the battery and the screen. The latter also consumes the most juice. So reduce screen size and you can reduce the weight considerably.

The one advantage of 16:9 is that it is skinnier - fits better into a pocket. Not sure what exact dimensions would be, but true in any case.

But you have less screen real estate. I've held the 16:9 tablet, it feels that it can only be used landscape, nothing works portrait, at all.

A 7" iPad could work with little change to the SDK or App Store ecosystem-- smaller display with the same resolution (1024x768) and aspect ratio (4:3).

Imagine an iPad in landscape cut in half vertically giving, 2, roughly 7", iPad Memos.

.