I think if there is an iPad mini it will WiFi-only. Cellular simply costs too much. Even the Kindle Fire HD only has cellular as an option in the larger model and with extra capacity.
It depends on the price point Apple is shooting for with the iPad mini. Sure you can easily say Apple commands a higher price point and they get it, but there is also reality here, 7 inch tablets are cheap and people are buying them in droves so if Apple is going to cut into that dance and do it in a big way (as expected) they can't be charging $400 when everyone else is $200 or less.
I know this is anecdotal...but Chris Breen of MacWorld said he bought a 3G iPad for use when he may be on vacation without access to wifi.
He used it twice in a year! I bought an iPad2 wifi only and will buy an iPad7" wifi only, too.
The last thing I will ever do is give ATT or Sprint another $15 to $30 a mo.
Cell and cable companies are all bloodsuckers!
But if you want GPS it only comes with the cellular model which also offers a data plan should you ever change your mind. You are not obligated to purchase the plan or even the iPad model that offers it. It is an option. I personally use LTE on my iPad all the time. I never use free wireless (without password) because it is insecure. Furthermore with AT&T I can use their MX server without having to jump through hoops with our corporate server which requires POP before SMPT for security. That way I can use Mail to send messages without any hassles.
if apple want to compromise the price point, they don't have a choice. if they will make cell/wifi capable ipad mini, price will be $120 more just like new ipad 4G. but who will buy this little 7 inch tablet with $120 more? besides, ipad mini won't have retina display, faster A6, and so-so hardware spec. it can't take advantage of other competitors. no way. apple will suicide, completely fail. as I said before, ipad mini is a big mistake. they should keep bigger ipad line. 7 inch market is too tight, has no space to penetrate. it's not 2007 that iphone was successful. the game is changed. apple can't compete with google, amazon with lower price.
if apple want to compromise the price point, they don't have a choice. if they will make cell/wifi capable ipad mini, price will be $120 more just like new ipad 4G. but who will buy this little 7 inch tablet with $120 more? besides, ipad mini won't have retina display, faster A6, and so-so hardware spec. it can't take advantage of other competitors. no way. apple will suicide, completely fail. as I said before, ipad mini is a big mistake. they should keep bigger ipad line. 7 inch market is too tight, has no space to penetrate. it's not 2007 that iphone was successful. the game is changed. apple can't compete with google, amazon with lower price.
I keep reading people saying this has to be a cheaper version. I don't want a cheaper model, I only want a smaller one. I'll buy it if it costs the same as the 10" version. What I won't buy, is one that has much of the iPad-ness stripped out of it just to make it cheaper.
I think if there is an iPad mini it will WiFi-only. Cellular simply costs too much. Even the Kindle Fire HD only has cellular as an option in the larger model and with extra capacity.
But keep in mind the iPads are contract-free. Active the 3G only when you need it and the costs aren't as bad as the contract for a phone. Plus at least in the US, both Verizon and ATT now have their shared data plans, so adding a tablet is just $10/month. Bonus for Verizon customers: that (in a way) gets you simultaneous voice (on the phone) and data (on the tablet). :-)
When I first heard the rumors (read them, actually) about an iPad mini, I thought.."ugh..why?" But I've rethought it. In fact, I think I'd actually buy one before a larger iPad. My issue with the iPad is I can't justify the cost. I would use it for an e-reader and some light surfing. I don't travel enough to use it for many movies, games, etc. And if I want to work, I really want my actual laptop.
Either way, I wouldn't get a cell-equipped model. I'll take a mini for $249, please!
I desired a "mini" iPad some time ago. I have an iPhone, wife has an iPad. My need was mainly for book reading and limited net access. Cell access not needed!
Couldn't wait for Apple, so I bought a 7" BB Playbook on a real deal. The PB is far from matching Apple's iDevices, in fact it fails to connect to some WiFi hotspots, but I'm stuck with it for now.
At least it accesses my local library and some online book sites.
Given how fractured the worldwide LTE market is these days, with different chips needed for different markets, I think this is a smart move on Apple's part. Customer's who need an integrated cellular capability can buy the 9.7inch iPad. Waiting a year before introducing cellular data to the iPad Mini also allows Apple to introduce LTE to the 9.7inch iPad first, which is appropriate for the high end.
Hmm. With the iPad, cellular was bundled with GPS.
If the "mini" comes without cellular, I'm down with that. Never used it on my original iPad, either.
If the "mini" doesn't have GPS... not the least interested. The thing has to know where it is or a whole swath of astronomical applications won't work; I use the iPad out in the field all the time.
Be interesting to see just what this machine is. And the price, of course.
Hoping for an IR emitter too, a smaller iPad would make a great remote for a home theater system, just as the Ipad does for non-IR control. My HT hardware has its own web server, but IR control is the way to go for most systems and auxiliary devices.
Good point.
A wifi ipad can have a cellular network connection via tethering, so that's not a problem at all.
GPS location info could be obtained via the tethering device but I don't thing this will work via the default API's.
It doesn't have to have anything. Anyone who makes absolute declarations like this have been proven wrong over and over again.
Quote:
Originally Posted by fyngyrz
Hmm. With the iPad, cellular was bundled with GPS.
If the "mini" comes without cellular, I'm down with that. Never used it on my original iPad, either.
If the "mini" doesn't have GPS... not the least interested. The thing has to know where it is or a whole swath of astronomical applications won't work; I use the iPad out in the field all the time.
Be interesting to see just what this machine is. And the price, of course.
Hoping for an IR emitter too, a smaller iPad would make a great remote for a home theater system, just as the Ipad does for non-IR control. My HT hardware has its own web server, but IR control is the way to go for most systems and auxiliary devices.
Kind of agree. I see how Apple bundles GPS and cellular. But there are clear cases when GPS alone would not only suffice but may be ideal. Hard to please everyone, though.
I think if there is an iPad mini it will WiFi-only. Cellular simply costs too much. Even the Kindle Fire HD only has cellular as an option in the larger model and with extra capacity.
One the one hand I think cellular makes the more sense the smaller the product is. So on the mini it would make even more sense than on the standard iPad. Personally, I'm also looking forward to getting a cellular version of the mini.
On the other hand, I do see that cellular even increases the pricing issue Apple may face with the mini. With comparable specs to the iPad 2, it should be $299 (Wifi-only). With cellular, the mini would be more expensive than the iPad 2 (of course without cellular), and that just doesn't look good.
Then again, the iPod Touch is also $299 with a much smaller screen (albeit retina and likely with more RAM). Pricing the mini at $249 would probable relegate the Touch to the shelves.
I wonder if Apple could reduce the cost of cellular to less than $120. Carmakers do this all the time, where optional equipment is cheaper with the lower-range models than with the high-end ones, even if the equipment is essentially the same. So maybe Apples does away with LTE for the mini, and instead reduce the extra charge to maybe $80.
Comments
I know this is anecdotal...but Chris Breen of MacWorld said he bought a 3G iPad for use when he may be on vacation without access to wifi.
He used it twice in a year! I bought an iPad2 wifi only and will buy an iPad7" wifi only, too.
The last thing I will ever do is give ATT or Sprint another $15 to $30 a mo.
Cell and cable companies are all bloodsuckers!
It depends on the price point Apple is shooting for with the iPad mini. Sure you can easily say Apple commands a higher price point and they get it, but there is also reality here, 7 inch tablets are cheap and people are buying them in droves so if Apple is going to cut into that dance and do it in a big way (as expected) they can't be charging $400 when everyone else is $200 or less.
Quote:
Originally Posted by christopher126
I know this is anecdotal...but Chris Breen of MacWorld said he bought a 3G iPad for use when he may be on vacation without access to wifi.
He used it twice in a year! I bought an iPad2 wifi only and will buy an iPad7" wifi only, too.
The last thing I will ever do is give ATT or Sprint another $15 to $30 a mo.
Cell and cable companies are all bloodsuckers!
But if you want GPS it only comes with the cellular model which also offers a data plan should you ever change your mind. You are not obligated to purchase the plan or even the iPad model that offers it. It is an option. I personally use LTE on my iPad all the time. I never use free wireless (without password) because it is insecure. Furthermore with AT&T I can use their MX server without having to jump through hoops with our corporate server which requires POP before SMPT for security. That way I can use Mail to send messages without any hassles.
start the "Apple is screwing it's customers with the non 3G/4G iPad mini" thread.
I keep reading people saying this has to be a cheaper version. I don't want a cheaper model, I only want a smaller one. I'll buy it if it costs the same as the 10" version. What I won't buy, is one that has much of the iPad-ness stripped out of it just to make it cheaper.
Originally Posted by jungmark
start the "Apple is screwing it's customers with the non 3G/4G iPad mini" thread.
Lackofcellulartelephonygate.
Imaginarycrisisgate for imaginary product that doesn't exist yet.
Quote:
Originally Posted by SolipsismX
I think if there is an iPad mini it will WiFi-only. Cellular simply costs too much. Even the Kindle Fire HD only has cellular as an option in the larger model and with extra capacity.
But keep in mind the iPads are contract-free. Active the 3G only when you need it and the costs aren't as bad as the contract for a phone. Plus at least in the US, both Verizon and ATT now have their shared data plans, so adding a tablet is just $10/month. Bonus for Verizon customers: that (in a way) gets you simultaneous voice (on the phone) and data (on the tablet). :-)
Quote:
Originally Posted by SDW2001
When I first heard the rumors (read them, actually) about an iPad mini, I thought.."ugh..why?" But I've rethought it. In fact, I think I'd actually buy one before a larger iPad. My issue with the iPad is I can't justify the cost. I would use it for an e-reader and some light surfing. I don't travel enough to use it for many movies, games, etc. And if I want to work, I really want my actual laptop.
Either way, I wouldn't get a cell-equipped model. I'll take a mini for $249, please!
I desired a "mini" iPad some time ago. I have an iPhone, wife has an iPad. My need was mainly for book reading and limited net access. Cell access not needed!
Couldn't wait for Apple, so I bought a 7" BB Playbook on a real deal. The PB is far from matching Apple's iDevices, in fact it fails to connect to some WiFi hotspots, but I'm stuck with it for now.
At least it accesses my local library and some online book sites.
Given how fractured the worldwide LTE market is these days, with different chips needed for different markets, I think this is a smart move on Apple's part. Customer's who need an integrated cellular capability can buy the 9.7inch iPad. Waiting a year before introducing cellular data to the iPad Mini also allows Apple to introduce LTE to the 9.7inch iPad first, which is appropriate for the high end.
No it has to have a cell unit.
Quote:
Originally Posted by fyngyrz
Hmm. With the iPad, cellular was bundled with GPS.
If the "mini" comes without cellular, I'm down with that. Never used it on my original iPad, either.
If the "mini" doesn't have GPS... not the least interested. The thing has to know where it is or a whole swath of astronomical applications won't work; I use the iPad out in the field all the time.
Be interesting to see just what this machine is. And the price, of course.
Hoping for an IR emitter too, a smaller iPad would make a great remote for a home theater system, just as the Ipad does for non-IR control. My HT hardware has its own web server, but IR control is the way to go for most systems and auxiliary devices.
Good point.
A wifi ipad can have a cellular network connection via tethering, so that's not a problem at all.
GPS location info could be obtained via the tethering device but I don't thing this will work via the default API's.
J.
Quote:
Originally Posted by iSheldon
Will the headphone jack be on the bottom?
For sure, when Apple launches innovative features. They propagate them to all products.
Quote:
Originally Posted by tylerk36
No it has to have a cell unit.
It doesn't have to have anything. Anyone who makes absolute declarations like this have been proven wrong over and over again.
Quote:
Originally Posted by fyngyrz
Hmm. With the iPad, cellular was bundled with GPS.
If the "mini" comes without cellular, I'm down with that. Never used it on my original iPad, either.
If the "mini" doesn't have GPS... not the least interested. The thing has to know where it is or a whole swath of astronomical applications won't work; I use the iPad out in the field all the time.
Be interesting to see just what this machine is. And the price, of course.
Hoping for an IR emitter too, a smaller iPad would make a great remote for a home theater system, just as the Ipad does for non-IR control. My HT hardware has its own web server, but IR control is the way to go for most systems and auxiliary devices.
Kind of agree. I see how Apple bundles GPS and cellular. But there are clear cases when GPS alone would not only suffice but may be ideal. Hard to please everyone, though.
Quote:
Originally Posted by SolipsismX
I think if there is an iPad mini it will WiFi-only. Cellular simply costs too much. Even the Kindle Fire HD only has cellular as an option in the larger model and with extra capacity.
One the one hand I think cellular makes the more sense the smaller the product is. So on the mini it would make even more sense than on the standard iPad. Personally, I'm also looking forward to getting a cellular version of the mini.
On the other hand, I do see that cellular even increases the pricing issue Apple may face with the mini. With comparable specs to the iPad 2, it should be $299 (Wifi-only). With cellular, the mini would be more expensive than the iPad 2 (of course without cellular), and that just doesn't look good.
Then again, the iPod Touch is also $299 with a much smaller screen (albeit retina and likely with more RAM). Pricing the mini at $249 would probable relegate the Touch to the shelves.
I wonder if Apple could reduce the cost of cellular to less than $120. Carmakers do this all the time, where optional equipment is cheaper with the lower-range models than with the high-end ones, even if the equipment is essentially the same. So maybe Apples does away with LTE for the mini, and instead reduce the extra charge to maybe $80.
So. The iPad mini…
Where's… where's the, uh… the invite? Today was supposed to be the invite, wasn't it?
Hmm.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Tallest Skil
So. The iPad mini…
Where's… where's the, uh… the invite? Today was supposed to be the invite, wasn't it?
Hmm.
Yeah dammit...I been waiting all day for my invite. I got money here. Shut up and take it Apple; I want one.