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Apple's nice timing: iPad production news may freeze consumers, Android rivals

Summary: Apple has started production of the latest its latest iPad and talk of front facing cameras and a lighter design is everywhere. The timing of this news could just freeze consumers as a bevy of Android devices hit the market.

Larry Dignan

By for Between the Lines |

Apple has started production of its latest iPad and talk of front facing cameras and a lighter design is everywhere. The timing of this news, delivered by the Wall Street Journal, is exquisite since it could just freeze consumers as a bevy of Android devices hit the market.

The Wall Street Journal, which has been rock solid about Apple upcoming products, reports that the new iPad will be thinner and lighter, have a camera for videoconferencing with FaceTime, and be available on AT&T and Verizon. In other words, the Journal backed most of the credible rumors about the iPad.

The most notable thing about the Apple iPad 2 production news is the timing of it all. To wit:

Add it up and the Apple iPad production news is perfectly timed. Just as you're about to ponder a rival tablet, there's a great reason to hold out a few weeks---the iPad 2. Couple the prices of Android tablets, which are generally too expensive, and the potential of a better iPad on deck and I'm willing to bet more than a few consumers will hold out for Apple's latest dream device.

Related:

Topics: iPad, Apple, Hardware, Laptops, Mobility, Tablets

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275 comments
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  • Honeycomb is the key difference

    Developers prefer it, because of the easy upgrade to 3d. Apple doesn't offer it, Android does.<br><br>So no, Ill stick to Android. <br><br>You can keep your iPad. <br><br>Oh well.. I would never chose iPad though.

    PS

    Got the reaction I was expecting. ROFL.
    Uralbas
    Reply Vote

    • RE: Apple's nice timing: iPad production news may freeze consumers, Android rivals

      @Uralbas keep your Xoom. Any company that would allow a carrier to disable wifi unless you pay for a months service is not getting my money.
      Ron Burgundy
      Reply Vote

      • RE: Apple's nice timing: iPad production news may freeze consumers, Android rivals

        @Ron Burgundy Who said that will happen? And if they do that, it will be hacked so fast
        Jimster480
        Reply Vote

      • RE: Apple's nice timing: iPad production news may freeze consumers, Android rivals

        @Ron Burgundy
        Stop spreading the FUD. The VERIZON hotspot feature will not be enabled. Not wifi.
        Droid101
        Reply Vote

      • RE: Apple's nice timing: iPad production news may freeze consumers, Android rivals

        @Ron Burgundy <br>I assume you would never buy an apple product then as they all have the kill switch feature installed on them so if you do anything Steve Jobs doesn't tell you to do he can remotely and permanantly disable your product then or if you do own an apple product that would just make you a big blow hard hypocrite but that can't be true can it?
        Fletchguy
        Reply Vote

      • RE: Apple's nice timing: iPad production news may freeze consumers, Android rivals

        @Fletchguy: Android also has a kill switch, the presence of which Google kept quiet, unlike Apple who was forthcoming about it. Google has already invoked the Android kill switch due to malware and phishing apps being distributed in the Android Marketplace whereas Apple has yet to use on it.

        So, you might want to reconsider whether or not it's wise to accuse someone else of being a "blow hard hypocrite" on that basis.
        Andre Richards
        Reply Vote

      • RE: Apple's nice timing: iPad production news may freeze consumers, Android rivals

        @Ron Burgundy Talk is Cheap... and that's bull from a horse's mouth. A carrier can't disable WiFi on a device you own. If they could, they'd be doing it on all phones! lol.... Try serving your iCrAppleholic RDF spiked CrApple Juice somewhere else. No Android user is listening to you!

        @Larry Nice job of sneaking a qualifier into this bogus claim. "May" becomes as doubtful as any "What If", "Might Happen" or "Pipe Smoking Dream" anyone could ever have! haha...
        i2fun@...
        Reply Vote

      • RE: Apple's nice timing: iPad production news may freeze consumers, Android rivals

        @Jimster480 I have read about disabling WiFi though with no confirmation but I find it funny that you seem to be alright with it because it will be hacked so fast. Funny how when a jailbreak is needed for something on an iOS device it's the end of the world but not on a Android device, pathetic.
        non-biased
        Reply Vote

      • RE: Apple's nice timing: iPad production news may freeze consumers, Android rivals

        @Ron Burgundy
        Actually a carrier CAN, as in YES they can disable WiFi on a device. ATT has mobile hotspot disabled on the iPhone.
        I jailbroke my iPhone, Steve didnt brick it, I have updated to 4.2.X, I do use mobile hotspot on my ATT iPhone 4, in Dec 2010 i used 178 GB of data. I have unlimited Data on ATT.

        Apple can easliy claim success after seliing 15 million iPads

        Android tablets are DOA costing 15-50% more than iPads.

        The iPad wil keep 60-80% of the tablet market thru 2011.
        Bay Area CA Male
        Reply Vote

    • As a developer, I think you are all wet.

      @Uralbas

      "easy upgrade to 3d?" Huughh???

      Android finally got a 3D animation library not quiet as good as what the first iPhone shipped with. So what?
      Bruizer
      Reply Vote

    • You'd never buy an ipad?!?!

      @Uralbas
      Really? I would have <b>never</b> guessed that!

      ;)
      use_what_works_4_U
      Reply Vote

      • RE: Apple's nice timing: iPad production news may freeze consumers, Android rivals

        I hope that when he wakes up to reality they won't sell him an iPad.
        Now I have to get back to watching a 3D movie on my android tablet.
        john_gillespie@...
        Reply Vote

    • I hope your customers enjoy paying double

      @Uralbas ... for their tablets. Apple will beat you on price, on apps, on buzz.
      HollywoodDog
      Reply Vote

      • RE: Apple's nice timing: iPad production news may freeze consumers, Android rivals

        It's not double when there was only once choice. That is the problem, people talk about tablets like they are all the same. The Ipad still holds a place that is all its own, at the top.
        massimj@...
        Reply Vote

      • RE: Apple's nice timing: iPad production news may freeze consumers, Android rivals

        @HollywoodDog paying double for what? ipad are around 500 bucks, so are most android tabs, and why would you want to be so limited in what you can do, remember if steve jobs doesnt think its cool, then no one else will either, and therefore apple wont do it... this news isnt freezing me on buying an android tablet, because since I have owned an iphone, I will never purchase another apple product as long as I live..
        nickdangerthirdi@...
        Reply Vote

      • RE: Apple's nice timing: iPad production news may freeze consumers, Android rivals

        @HollywoodDog
        Hmmm not really. The Android tablets I have bought run about $300-$350 with dual core processing, dual cameras, tegra video chip,hdmi out, usb,full android market and run flash. Not to mention they look so much better then the ipod errr ipad. So on tablets Android is cheaper, more functional, better styling, more versitile, and you don't get that yuppie idiot stigmatism you do if your an apple product owner. Apple lost its coolness in what 2005.The buzz is all the new honeycomb dual core processing tegra chipped tablets ipad 2 is a who cares story.
        Fletchguy
        Reply Vote

      • RE: Apple's nice timing: iPad production news may freeze consumers, Android rivals

        @nickdangerthirdi and Fletchguy - the double price point comes from the 3G plan you will have to pay for each month for 2 years.
        athynz
        Reply Vote

      • RE: Apple's nice timing: iPad production news may freeze consumers, Android rivals

        @Fletchguy - Yeah, you bought so many Android tablets you have to give a price range?? Right...
        The Danger is Microsoft
        Reply Vote

      • RE: Apple's nice timing: iPad production news may freeze consumers, Android rivals

        @HollywoodDog
        But oddly enough not on performance, adaptability, or variety or options.
        mdeans@...
        Reply Vote

    • Because as a consumer, I give a crap ...

      @Uralbas

      ... about what app developers want? Get real.

      Android is a mediocre "me too" platform running on a bunch of disparate "kind of like Apple" hardware.
      RationalGuy
      Reply Vote
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