Rumor: Apple's jumbo-sized 12.9-inch iPad in the works for early 2015 debut
Apple will expand the iPad lineup in early 2015 with a new, larger 12.9-inch model flanking the existing 9.7-inch iPad Air and 7.9-inch iPad mini, a new report claims.
The iPad Air is currently Apple's largest tablet with a 9.7-inch display.
Citing unnamed "people with knowledge of the matter," Bloomberg reported on Tuesday that suppliers are already preparing to manufacture Apple's jumbo-sized iPad. Full-scale manufacturing of the device is reportedly set to begin in the first quarter of next year.
As for what the new iPad might offer aside from a larger display, no new details were provided. Some have speculated that the device could be a so-called "iPad Pro," serving as a way to integrate more power user and traditional laptop functions into the device, including a potential keyboard dock.
In the meantime, Apple is also expected to go bigger with the iPhone, as the company is said to be planning launch two new models with larger screens this fall. Specifically, Apple is rumored to hold a Sept. 9 event where the company will unveil iPhones with screen sizes of 4.7 and 5.5 inches.
Apple's existing iPad Air and iPad mini are also expected to see updates this fall, giving the devices the Touch ID fingerprint sensor that's currently exclusive to the iPhone 5s. But the so-called "iPad Pro" won't make it in time for the holiday season, Tuesday's report suggested.
If Apple does expand the iPad lineup, it comes at a time when the company's tablet sales have slowed, falling slightly over the last two quarters. But Apple signaled to investors in July that the company remains bullish on the future of the tablet market, as Chief Executive Tim Cook teased that the company is planning innovations in hardware, software and services.
"What's important to us is that customers are enjoying their iPads and using them heavily," Cook said.
Word of a 12.9-inch iPad has been supported by connected KGI Securities analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, who signaled early this year that the device wouldn't be ready for a fall 2014 launch. He expects that the new, larger iPad will require a revised operating system to take advantage of the larger display.
The iPad Air is currently Apple's largest tablet with a 9.7-inch display.
Citing unnamed "people with knowledge of the matter," Bloomberg reported on Tuesday that suppliers are already preparing to manufacture Apple's jumbo-sized iPad. Full-scale manufacturing of the device is reportedly set to begin in the first quarter of next year.
As for what the new iPad might offer aside from a larger display, no new details were provided. Some have speculated that the device could be a so-called "iPad Pro," serving as a way to integrate more power user and traditional laptop functions into the device, including a potential keyboard dock.
In the meantime, Apple is also expected to go bigger with the iPhone, as the company is said to be planning launch two new models with larger screens this fall. Specifically, Apple is rumored to hold a Sept. 9 event where the company will unveil iPhones with screen sizes of 4.7 and 5.5 inches.
Apple's existing iPad Air and iPad mini are also expected to see updates this fall, giving the devices the Touch ID fingerprint sensor that's currently exclusive to the iPhone 5s. But the so-called "iPad Pro" won't make it in time for the holiday season, Tuesday's report suggested.
If Apple does expand the iPad lineup, it comes at a time when the company's tablet sales have slowed, falling slightly over the last two quarters. But Apple signaled to investors in July that the company remains bullish on the future of the tablet market, as Chief Executive Tim Cook teased that the company is planning innovations in hardware, software and services.
"What's important to us is that customers are enjoying their iPads and using them heavily," Cook said.
Word of a 12.9-inch iPad has been supported by connected KGI Securities analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, who signaled early this year that the device wouldn't be ready for a fall 2014 launch. He expects that the new, larger iPad will require a revised operating system to take advantage of the larger display.
Comments
My iPad Mini set me back $900 loaded.... this would be priced well above the 13" Air.
[QUOTE]"you will see exciting new products from us in the fall and across [S]2014[/S] 2015." [/QUOTE]
Are we getting anything from Apple this fall besides a new iPhone and iPad? Based on Broadwell release it looks like new Macs won't be ready until next year.
I'd be first in line to get one, especially if it enhances music and art/graphics creation.
I could see the RAM doubling and these coming in a quad core configuration.
Not if I get there first! :P
I guess we need to modify Cook's comment from 2013:
Are we getting anything from Apple this fall besides a new iPhone and iPad? Based on Broadwell release it looks like new Macs won't be ready until next year.
I'm still banking on the rMBA to debut this Fall.
surely any large iPad would need to have a good stylus style method of drawing / taking notes. No not like the Tab - more like using a decent pencil or felt pen on paper experience. sure you should not need a stylus simply to use and iPad - Jobs already said that was a fail - but it not having a really good stylus option really precludes an iPad from taking notes / helping create ideas etc
Can't wait. I really want one of these to go along with my 5.5" iPhone. Perfect combo.
I’ve been waiting for this for nearly eight years. Here’s one place a larger screen can only be better.
So you don’t know what a tablet is, then.
I just can't see this happening. If you need larger than the iPad Air, why not just buy a MBA?
I never get why people claim a stylus = fail. Obviously what Steve was referring to was resistive screens that required a stylus to be useful. That's not the same as using a stylus for note taking or for artists where I think proper stylus report would be super useful.
A larger iPad with an optional stylus (and palm rejection) as accurate and responsive as a Wacom tablet would be a dream come true.
I just can't see this happening. If you need larger than the iPad Air, why not just buy a MBA?
In most cases- I agree. I cant see a 12" iPad being more than a niche. But I'm willing to listen to what others think the advantage might be- so far no one has said anything outside of drawing...
A larger iPad with a stylus as accurate and responsive as a Wacom tablet would be a dream come true.
I agree with you.
And It was brilliant implementation with the original iPad that a stylus was simply not needed. As the iPad has improved, especially the screen resolution - the capability of fine line notes and drawings would now really befit from the partnership of a good fast active stylus. A stylus that you only popped out of its integral holder when you wanted to draw and annotate sketches and drawings. It needs to be MUCH better than the crap stylus available for iPads ( even the jot is pretty much useless)