5" iPod touch vs 7" iPad

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nhtnht
Posted:
in iPad edited January 2014
I wonder if Apple provided a 5" iPod touch if that would negate any need for a 7" iPad.



The 5" size strikes me as a better balance between fitting in a normal pocket but providing more viewing area for content consumption. And it fits with Jobs' dismissal of the 7" form factor.



The 5" Streak is kinda hefty but if it were as thin as the touch and with the same 960x640 screen I think it would be a pretty nice form factor even if it wasn't "retina" level pixel density.

Comments

  • Reply 1 of 2
    addaboxaddabox Posts: 12,665member
    I've wondered about that myself.



    I get the impression that the iPhone/Touch screen size arises out of the Jobsian obsession with smallness-- that they figured out the very smallest form factor that would support the UI they wanted would be, and that they may be somewhat wed to that.



    OTOH, Apple isn't, I don't think, entirely immune to competitive pressure, although they can be remarkably single minded. I could certainly see at least a 4" screen making its way into pretty much the current envelope, possibly as soon as the next major refresh. Maybe as much as 4.5" with a slight case mod.



    But there's a limit to what everybody else can do with screen size creep, before their devices become completely unworkable as phones. The Streak is getting pretty close; so to be in the ballpark I think 4.5" is as big as Apple would ever need to go for phones, and I doubt they'll uncouple the Touch from the iPhone when it comes to screen size. The Touch is and always has been an iPhone without the phone contract, but slimmer due to reduced commentary. Can't really seem them changing that up.



    Would a 4.5" device be big enough to obviate the need for a 7" tablet? My sense is yes, especially in a world where more and more people already have a smart phone on their person. The big problem with the "it's better than the iPad for on the go" argument is that, if you have a smart phone, you already are carrying something that's much more portable than a 7" tablet, and which can do everything the tablet can albeit on a smaller screen. Add another inch to the iPhone/Touch screen without significantly increasing the case size and I think you've got as much portable tablet as is practical.
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  • Reply 2 of 2
    wizard69wizard69 Posts: 13,377member
    Quote:
    Originally Posted by nht View Post


    I wonder if Apple provided a 5" iPod touch if that would negate any need for a 7" iPad.



    Well I've been careful of late to use the term sub 7" iPad. Honestly though the iPad is just a big Touch so there is no need to confuse the naming any more. In any event I really don't see why Apple wouldn't have a whole family of such devices. If you are a stock holder wouldn't that be what you would want? Further I don't think people fully appreciate the portability issues that come with the current iPad. What we are looking for is something with enhanced portability but yet a significantly larger screen than is seen on the iPhone/Touch.

    Quote:

    The 5" size strikes me as a better balance between fitting in a normal pocket but providing more viewing area for content consumption. And it fits with Jobs' dismissal of the 7" form factor.



    What Jobs says and what Apple eventually does is two different things. That being said a vastly more portable device is

    Quote:



    The 5" Streak is kinda hefty but if it were as thin as the touch and with the same 960x640 screen I think it would be a pretty nice form factor even if it wasn't "retina" level pixel density.



    Retina like resolution can easily be moved to a 5 inch class screen You can keep the device extremely hand by keeping the aspect ratio wide. By going wide the device can still be hand held in one hand while providing far more screen real-estate.



    The best way to judge the feasibility of such a device is to look at alternative devices and one of the best placed to do that is at the GPS counter. What should be noted also is that something between 5 and 7" makes for a very good in car system. The screen ends up being big enough for GPS navigation and other uses while mounted on a stand.



    When it comes right down to it they could call it a video iPod and eliminate the confusion in the consumers mind. I'm not sure at all why Apple is dragging its feet here, I still see it as an entirely different market than the iPad. Stockholders should be livid that they would give up this segment to the likes of Dell, HP and whom ever.
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