More cases for Apple's fifth-gen iPad give closer look at mini-like smaller bezel
A new video shows a hands-on session with a case purportedly designed for Apple's next-generation full-size iPad, suggesting once again it will feature a smaller width thanks to thinner bezels, but also revealing that the device's height may also be slightly reduced.
The video was posted by Vietnamese-language site Tinhte.vn, and offers perhaps the best look yet at how Apple's next iPad is expected to adopt thinner bezels like the iPad mini, introduced in late 2012. By holding a current iPad over the new case, the site shows how the old model is wider than the case suggests the new design will be.
It's unlikely that Apple would change the screen size of the new iPad and force developers to modify their applications, which means the change in size would likely come from a reduction in the bezel. That aligns with rumored details and leaked parts showing a new iPad design with thinner side bezels.
Even the heigh of the device will shrink slightly, the case suggests, as attempts to squeeze a regular iPad into the case proved unsuccessful. The difference on the height of the new iPad will not be as significant as the reduction in width, if the case is in fact based on legitimate details about Apple's fifth-generation iPad.
Adding credibility to the leaked case is the fact that Tinhte.vn has been the source of numerous accurate leaks in years past. In 2010, the site got its hands on a pre-release MacBook, while in 2011 the site showed off a prototype iPhone running a "test" build of iOS featuring an unreleased Expos?-style multitasking interface. And last year the site got its hands on a third-generation iPad before it was released to the public.
The same site claimed in a report in April that Apple's next-generation iPhone, frequently referred to as an "iPhone 5S," will sport a rear-facing 12-megapixel camera. The new lens is said to be capable of producing high dynamic range images and better nighttime photos.
As for the so-called "iPad 5," the new case also shows space for a centered rear microphone on the device. That aligns with a rumor that first surfaced last week, and is also supported by other pre-release cases that have been pictured on the Internet.
Thinner bezels on the new iPad are said to help make the device 25 percent lighter and 15 percent thinner. The new 9.7-inch model is expected to arrive this fall.
The video was posted by Vietnamese-language site Tinhte.vn, and offers perhaps the best look yet at how Apple's next iPad is expected to adopt thinner bezels like the iPad mini, introduced in late 2012. By holding a current iPad over the new case, the site shows how the old model is wider than the case suggests the new design will be.
It's unlikely that Apple would change the screen size of the new iPad and force developers to modify their applications, which means the change in size would likely come from a reduction in the bezel. That aligns with rumored details and leaked parts showing a new iPad design with thinner side bezels.
Even the heigh of the device will shrink slightly, the case suggests, as attempts to squeeze a regular iPad into the case proved unsuccessful. The difference on the height of the new iPad will not be as significant as the reduction in width, if the case is in fact based on legitimate details about Apple's fifth-generation iPad.
Adding credibility to the leaked case is the fact that Tinhte.vn has been the source of numerous accurate leaks in years past. In 2010, the site got its hands on a pre-release MacBook, while in 2011 the site showed off a prototype iPhone running a "test" build of iOS featuring an unreleased Expos?-style multitasking interface. And last year the site got its hands on a third-generation iPad before it was released to the public.
The same site claimed in a report in April that Apple's next-generation iPhone, frequently referred to as an "iPhone 5S," will sport a rear-facing 12-megapixel camera. The new lens is said to be capable of producing high dynamic range images and better nighttime photos.
As for the so-called "iPad 5," the new case also shows space for a centered rear microphone on the device. That aligns with a rumor that first surfaced last week, and is also supported by other pre-release cases that have been pictured on the Internet.
Thinner bezels on the new iPad are said to help make the device 25 percent lighter and 15 percent thinner. The new 9.7-inch model is expected to arrive this fall.
Comments
I hate it. It's going to make the proper iPad as unusable as the mini.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Tallest Skil
I hate it. It's going to make the proper iPad as unusable as the mini.
Yes, because the iPad mini is utterly unusable. Though I am not sure I see the point in drastically reducing the bezel other than for the purpose of loosing weight, but if IOS compensates for touches along the edges of the screen (while still allowing interaction), I don't have a problem with it. I am sure Apple has tested it exhaustively and trust that they don't find it unusable.
Quote:
Originally Posted by OllieWallieWhiskers
iPad 5 vs iPad mini... it's going to be a tough choice.
Much as I like the mini for me the extra screen real estate wins out. Its more comfortable.
I'll go with the iPad 5, should be lightning fast and more available storage?
Quote:
Originally Posted by Tallest Skil
I hate it. It's going to make the proper iPad as unusable as the mini.
I cant believe I 100% agree with you on something lol.
Quote:
Originally Posted by paxman
Yes, because the iPad mini is utterly unusable. Though I am not sure I see the point in drastically reducing the bezel other than for the purpose of loosing weight, but if IOS compensates for touches along the edges of the screen (while still allowing interaction), I don't have a problem with it. I am sure Apple has tested it exhaustively and trust that they don't find it unusable.
I dont know if iOS could compensate for touches of 3rd party apps. Apple made apps, yeah totally. But I would be concerned for any app you download from the app store thinking that you are trying to interact with said app by having your thumb hang on the edge of the screen. This would probably be an issue with games more than anything else that I can think of at the moment.
I own an iPad mini and use my brother's iPad quite frequently, and I absolutely love the smaller device. The narrower bezels are far sexier than the iPad's and affect the usability of the device not at all.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Tallest Skil
I hate it. It's going to make the proper iPad as unusable as the mini.
I own the iPad Mini and it is profoundly usable. In fact I've already told the wife that the second it gets released with a retina display the money will be out of my wallet the second it is available. I can't stand how heavy the full size iPad is and how awkward it is to use.
I'd really like the option of a transparent and split keyboard though. Here's to hoping iOS 7 brings that to the table as well. I transparent split keyboard along with a retina display would make my day.
Quote:
Originally Posted by joshuarayer
I dont know if iOS could compensate for touches of 3rd party apps. Apple made apps, yeah totally. But I would be concerned for any app you download from the app store thinking that you are trying to interact with said app by having your thumb hang on the edge of the screen. This would probably be an issue with games more than anything else that I can think of at the moment.
If this were such a major issue why has no one reported such a thing with the iPad Mini en masse? That's because it's not really an issue at all. The sky is not falling chicken little.
Originally Posted by oldgirlfeelsold
I own an iPad mini and use my brother's iPad quite frequently, and I absolutely love the smaller device. The narrower bezels are far sexier than the iPad's and affect the usability of the device not at all.
These are two different devices. I don't want to get into the mini's usability, but for its size, the iPad needs a wider bezel!
Other than the single most important factor.
You do know we already have this split and transparent keyboard in iOS6, right? Press and hold the bottom right key.
Originally Posted by AppleInsider
Thinner bezels on the new iPad are said to help make the device 25 percent lighter and 15 percent thinner. The new 9.7-inch model is expected to arrive this fall.
Sure, a thinner and lighter full-sized iPad would be awesome. But I suspect that just trimming the bezels won't make it 25% lighter. The heaviest thing in the iPad is the battery, so for a 25% reduction, the battery needs to shrink IMHO. Especially if the iPad "5" will be both narrower and thinner in depth.
So how can Apple shrink the battery? Well, they might be able to improve the battery chemistry enough to make it physically smaller with the same charge capacity. And they might be able to simply spread the battery out into more nooks and crannies within the new, smaller enclosure to make everything flatter (which wouldn't reduce its weight but would reduce its thickness.)
Or maybe Apple could use a more efficient next-gen screen technology. The screen uses the most power of any iPad component, and there are rumors that Apple could use IGZO conductors in the next-gen iPad screen. IGZO has 40 times better conductivity than the current transparent conductor material (amorphous silicon), so LCD panels using IGZO can be much more efficient, more transparent, and can react faster. And, down the road, IGZO can be used in OLED panels as well.
I think Apple could do all of the above: use IGZO to drastically cut screen power consumption, pack the battery more deeply into the nooks and crannies for a thinner shape, and maybe improve battery internal design and/or chemistry. All of which could eventually be applied to the next-gen iPad mini, iPhone, iPod touch, MacBook Air, and MacBook Pro. Looking forward to seeing what Apple will do.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Tallest Skil
I hate it. It's going to make the proper iPad as unusable as the mini.
and I hate the new iMac as it's now less useable but according to you I'm wrong, so now you know how I feel.
TS confusing opinion with facts again.
Originally Posted by Evilution
and I hate the new iMac as it's now less useable but according to you I'm wrong, so now you know how I feel.
TS confusing opinion with facts again.
That's funny; did they remove keys from the iMac keyboard? Can the cursor not go across the entire screen?
Talk about irony.