Hopefully it's a sign that overall quality is making a comeback.
That's Google alright. For a stupid company they sure do dumb things.
That's Google alright. For a stupid company they sure do dumb things.
The possibility that the iPad Mini, if it comes to be, will use the 3GS screen remains speculation. It is a clever speculation originating here: http://www.appadvice.com/appnn/2012/03/apple-has-163-reasons-to-release-fabled-ipad-mini. The author of this article deduced that 163 ppi made sense for a 1024 x 768 screen if the rumor of a 7.85" screen was reliable. He did not cite any source or even intimated any (AFAIK). He simply did the path based on a 7.85" screen.
But what if the assumption of 1024 x 768 is wrong? What if, instead of using the same LCD manufacturing line for the 3GS, Apple will use the same manufacturing line for the iPhone 4. In other words, could the iPad Mini sport 326 ppi and 2048 x 1536? That seems like overkill for a ~7" tablet. But this shows there is more than one way to do the math. Furthermore, is 326 ppi on a mid-size tablet more unlikely than not offering an IPS display?
Of course, if the 7.85" rumor is false, this speculation based on mathematical deduction completely falls apart.

Like many other things, it crossed the tipping point. Perhaps, with a gorilla like Apple creating substantial demand, the tipping point came earlier than with other products/technologies.

"Blank! BLANK! You're not looking at the big picture!"
"Blank! BLANK! You're not looking at the big picture!"