A new iPad and iPad mini could be with us as soon as March, according to an industry expert. As the Google Nexus 7 takes a bite out of the tablet market, could Apple rush out new iPads?
Analyst Brian White heard some choice gossip at CES and reckons the new iPads, one big and one little, could arrive in March, around six months after the current models took a bow, Business Insider reports.
Aside from the date of release, there's few surprises in the predicted new Apple tablets. The iPad is expected to be thinner and lighter, while the iPad mini will look the same, but with a boost to the specs.
An iPad mini could include a high-res retina display, which is lacking from the current model.
Apple doesn't always wait a full year before revealing a new iPad. The most recent full-sized iPad and the iPad mini were unveiled together in November, just eight months after the arrival of the previous generation in March. And the original, first iPad in spring 2010 was followed by the iPad 2 less than a year later.
Apple may want to speed things up and bring out new iPads sooner rather than later to combat the popular Google Nexus 7, a 7-inch tablet that starts from just £160. Up until now the iPad has been the only tablet to sell in any number, but the Nexus 7 is helping Android claw back some ground.
What would you like to see in a new iPad? What should Apple do to combat the Nexus 7? Tell me your thoughts in the comments, or on our Facebook page.
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Comments 19
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jopov123 14 January, 2013 13:20
Had an ipad - hated being tied to iTunes etc so sold it. Have a clutch of Nexi (plural?) in this house with 3 versions and whole family are delighted with them. Sheer speed of access is a real boon. Not ever going back to anything with iTunes on again.
JohnsonDion1 14 January, 2013 15:25
What's the big deal with being tied in with iTunes? They don't offer bad prices, there selection is very good and you can use it on multiple platforms. The only reason I can think that you would "hate" being tied into iTunes is if you downloaded movies, music or games illegally.
anonymous 14 January, 2013 16:22
It's not the Nexus 7 that poses any threat to Apple (that on its own only sells a fraction of iPad sales), but the development of all cheaper tablets into a more credible purchasing option.
Up to recently, cheap tablets have largely been pretty much rubbish. The advent of Amazon's, Google's (Nexus) and B&N's has shown a marked improvement over what went before, but as credible as these products are, they are still not as polished or well rounded as the iPad.
Having established the new lower price points, it's what comes next from the competition that will be of interest to Apple and where they'll be concerned.
anonymous 14 January, 2013 16:43
If this is true, it would be a slap in the face for people that may have just bought the iPad 4 or iPad Mini. Apple release new devices too soon after their previous one. Look at the iPad 3 to iPad 4. crazy.
1000105967 14 January, 2013 16:44
Based on what has gone before I don't expect Apple to relax their premium prices, indeed if the iPad mini does contain a retina display I expect the price to increase.
Of course buyers will still be attracted to Apple but some, not enough imo, will jump ship.
anonymous 14 January, 2013 16:52
I don't see the iPad mini jump in price, as they accomplished this with the add on Retina Display from the iPad 2 to the iPad 3. So I wouldn't expect that.
I would hope the iPad 5 would include a OLED/AMOLED or HD added to the Retina Display and would be happy to pay that bit extra for it. Maybe some I/O added to it as well such as a mini USB or the option for external memory.
Damien2501 14 January, 2013 18:24
There are people that'll buy Apple devices no matter what, I think they should release a new iPad and iPad Mini, it makes business sense.
anonymous 14 January, 2013 19:34
@anonymous 14 January, 2013 16:43
"If this is true, it would be a slap in the face for people that may have just bought the iPad 4 or iPad Mini".
Sorry, frankly that's nonsense. Why should any one feel it's a "slap in the face" when they already have very good and perfectly serviceable device.
New iterations of the iPad, like most Apple devices, usually bring forward incremental change and it's normally a few models downstream before it's worth an upgrade.
anonymous 14 January, 2013 20:55
Apple you suck lmfao ipad 12 by the end of the year!
anonymous 14 January, 2013 21:10
A march release for the mini would make me so happy. I'm desperate for one but the the low spec non retina display version currently out is a joke. It's the most ridiculous display of Apple holding back on tech so they can make money with the next gen version I've ever seen. We all know the current gen are never the cutting edge of tech, I think everyone accepts thats Apples sales strategy, but the mini was the most blatant they've been. I've got the cash waiting in my bank, so hopefully march will be the time.
anonymous 14 January, 2013 22:49
@ JohnsonDion, iTunes is the worst piece of software ever written. It's the single biggest reason why I will not buy an iPhone, iPod, etc. I like being able to copy my files from ANY PC to my device by dragging and dropping. And then if for whatever reason you lose or reformat the PC you had your iTunes account on, that's it, you can't make any more changes to your iPod, unless you delete everything. Screw that, I can't believe how Apple has convinced so many people that iTunes is the way to go.
anonymous 15 January, 2013 00:18
@anonymous 14 January, 2013 21:10
"A march release for the mini would make me so happy. I'm desperate for one but the the low spec non retina display version currently out is a joke. It's the most ridiculous display of Apple holding back on tech so they can make money with the next gen version I've ever seen....."
The reason there wasn't a retina display on the mini wasn't because they were holding it back deliberately.
Apple's policy is to run native resolutions for the device being used and they have so far limited the number of versions of apps required to make it easier for developers.
For the iPad there are two resolutions, retina and non-retina.
If they put a retina display on the mini, the required ppi is near the edge of what’s practical to manufacture (note: nobody has such a high resolution panel deployed in a consumer device yet)..
The satisfactory yield rates from producing such a screen and the cost would have made the mini far too expensive.
The only options were to go with a new mid-way resolution, or to go for the non-retina resolution (as used on the iPad 2), with the much higher ppi that produces on a 7.9” screen.
If a mini 2 is going to have a retina display, either they’ve cracked the problem, which will blow away the competition, or they’ll be introducing a new resolution.
A third option may be a screen using a different technology.
anonymous 15 January, 2013 00:31
iPad to iPad 2 - 11 months
iPad 2 to new iPad - 1 year
new iPad to iPad 4 - 8 months
All these people reporting how quick they release devices clearly do not follow it.
They follow a yearly model, and the recent update was to bring it in line with the iPhone 5 specs.
Also, your device still functions the same. Yes we all want the latest and greatest, but it doesn't stop the current one being usable. And a new mini? What spec updates can they get? The A7 won't be ready until at least June. Sensationalism to get clicks.
anonymous 15 January, 2013 07:05
I want iPads to be capable of generating a cursor so i could use my iPhone as a track pad (as I can with my mac) while using my Logitec keyboard. Or use Apple's trackpad.
I know it sounds like a step in the wrong direction but when you have your tablet arranged as a vertical screen with a hardware keyboard you want to keep your arms resting on the desk, not continuously reaching out to touch the screen.
The Surface makes the same error.
anonymous 15 January, 2013 17:34
I did a lot of research this past September through December to see if the iPad mini, Kindle Fire HD, Samsung Tab, etc. and found that the Nexus 7 was the best deal. Price, technology, and performance were the determining factors in my decision. A lot of reviews don't make a definitive choice and leave it up to the consumer to make his/her own decision based on what they've read or posted. Fair enough process but no one had the voice to say, "Get this one. It's the best overall tablet and here's why..." I bought my Nexus 7 before Christmas, and I think it does a wonderful job. Nexus App store has a lot to offer. Video and web surfing are fast (there are few occasional lags, but this depends on your server and internet service speed). My internet server speed is medium value (about 15 megabytes per sec. so it's fine). I notice the lag when there's other family members on different devices on the net. If you want a solid choice, I say Nexus 7 is the way to go because it has the newest tech for a decent price and runs very well.
anonymous 16 January, 2013 17:25
To the idiot who says the RETINA display has the highest density/resolution on a tablet device; please stfu and see the latest Android devices all of which whop apples backside.
Google nexus 10 for instance, costs over $100 less and has ~ 20% better pixel density/backlighting.
anonymous 17 January, 2013 10:54
@anonymous 16 January, 2013 17:25
Said ...."To the idiot who says the RETINA display has the highest density/resolution on a tablet device; please stfu......"
Where did anyone say that?
I can't see that written anywhere?
.
petsmith 17 January, 2013 11:04
I am very annoyed at Apple after sale service. I have an original iPad which I bought 2 years ago and now the battery will not recharge with the supplied charger. The only way I can get it to charge is through the Desktop, but this takes 2 DAYS.
I have tried to contact Apple but they say it is out of date and cannot help.
I am now looking at Samsung, as I have bought their Galaxy S3 Smartphone which is excellent.
anonymous 20 January, 2013 11:50
@petsmith 17 January, 2013 11:04
"I am very annoyed at Apple after sale service. I have an original iPad which I bought 2 years ago and now the battery will not recharge with the supplied charger. The only way I can get it to charge is through the Desktop, but this takes 2 DAYS".
Sounds like it needs a new battery.
"I have tried to contact Apple but they say it is out of date and cannot help".
Tried?
What, you haven't actually contacted them?
You should be able to get the “Out-of-Warranty Service”, where they will replace the battery. Naturally there will be a charge.
If it’s another problem, the same service should be available to fix it.
If it needs replacement, they will supply another one (new or refurbed) at just over half price.
Failing that, there are several very reliable third party repair centres that can do the work.
“I am now looking at Samsung, as I have bought their Galaxy S3 Smartphone which is excellent”.
Well good luck if you want any service or back-up.
Spare and replacement parts are often non-existent too.