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Topic: Hardware

iPad 3 to come in March--maybe a 7" iPad, too

Summary: The iPad 3 is all but officially confirmed. What will it sport and will we see an iPad mini?

Joel Evans

By for The Mobile Gadgeteer |

There are some features of the iPad 3 that we have been expecting for a while now. Most notably, the Retina Display. Well, the wait may soon be over with analysts and sources telling AllThingsD that the next iPad will be announced at an event the first week in March. Of course, it will probably sport a faster processor, too.

Other rumors have Apple coming out with an iPad mini. It would make sense for Apple to dip its toes into the 7" market, especially with the Kindle Fire tearing up the charts. That said, Apple doesn't conform so the company will probably invent a new category called the "micro tablet" or something, instead of coming out with a 7" one.

Apple has definitely made the tablet a must-have and competitors are following fast on its heels. And Apple isn't slowing down, with the iPad continuing to be insanely successful.

The only area where Apple could lose is the 7" market, but that's to be expected since the company doesn't have a device that competes in that space. It wouldn't be difficult for Apple to get into it, though, and given that people are still torn between the 7" and 10", it might make sense to finally break open that form factor, too.

Would you pick up a 7" iPad? Why or why not?

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

About

With more than 15 years of mobile, Internet and wireless experience, Joel specializes in taking existing brands and technologies into the mobile and wireless space. Joel is currently the VP of Strategy Integration for Mobiquity, an enterprise-class mobile solutions provider.

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42 comments
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  • RE: iPad 3 to come in March--maybe a 7

    A 7 inch tablet makes no sense at all, so why do the mentally handicapped wish for one?
    Joel-r
    Reply Vote

    • RE: iPad 3 to come in March--maybe a 7

      @Joel-r

      Why do you need to make insulting comments? Please grow up.
      gribittmep
      Reply Vote

      • RE: iPad 3 to come in March--maybe a 7

        @gribittmep Apple has repeatedly said they are not interested in a 7 inch tablet. Yet the same people ask for one, over, and over. What would you call someone that dies the same thing and expects a different outcome?
        Joel-r
        Reply Vote

      • Insane

        "What would you call someone that dies the same thing and expects a different outcome?"

        The quote is:
        Albert Einstein once said "The definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results".

        Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/12047


        However, it is the mentally handicapped that believe anything that Apple (or any other company) says unless the statements are legally binding (like reporting on financial results). Since you believe Apple when they say they are not interested in a 7" tablet, I'll leave you to connect the dots.
        toddbottom
        Reply Vote

    • RE: iPad 3 to come in March--maybe a 7

      @Joel-r yes Joel-r please grow up! you can stop mentally handicapped from asking for whatever stupid thing they ever want and your childish insults certainly makes situation even worse :-))))
      cr34t0red
      Reply Vote

      • RE: iPad 3 to come in March--maybe a 7

        @cr34t0red You should look in a mirror when casing aspersions. Pointing out that the only one that controls the situation (Apple) has already said no to a 7 inch tablet. If they said no, the fools that keep asking for it really need to shut up!There is n real need for a 7 inch device. The form factor is small for a tablet, and too big for a phone. If 7 inches is what you desire, buy a Nook, or Kindle.
        Joel-r
        Reply Vote

    • RE: iPad 3 to come in March--maybe a 7

      @Joel-r -- Just because YOU fail to see the need, that means the need doesn't exist? How foolish of people to want something that the "experts" have decided they don't need!

      Your Question: "Apple has repeatedly said they are not interested in a 7 inch tablet. Yet the same people ask for one, over, and over. What would you call someone that does the same thing and expects a different outcome? "

      The Answer: A consumer. They have the right to create a demand for anything. If a manufacturer can meet that demand, then it is called a "sale".
      SbySW
      Reply Vote

      • RE: iPad 3 to come in March--maybe a 7

        @SbySW If the manufacturer says no, then the answer is no. Apple is no more obligated to make a stupid 7 inch tablet, than Microsoft is, to being honest and compete fairly.
        Joel-r
        Reply Vote

  • RE: iPad 3 to come in March--maybe a 7" iPad, too

    I would not look for a 7-inch iPad from Apple. Steve Jobs was emphatic about the 7-inch form factor providing a less than optimal user experience. And to compete with Amazon's Kindle 7-inch tablet at $199 would result in really low margins, something that Apple has not shown much enthusiasm for to date. The iPod Touch, with its 3.5-inch display, is already priced starting at $199. Perhaps Apple will provide a slightly larger display (e.g., 4 or 4.5 inches) for the iPod Touch, especially if they do the same for the iPhone 5, and price it starting at $249 or $299, but I would be surprised if it were 7 inches.<br><br>I expect something entirely new from Apple's skunkworks to compete against 7-inch form-factor tablets.
    Rabid Howler Monkey
    Reply Vote

  • A 7" iPad?

    I already have a small version of my iPad, it's my iPhone....
    Sretko
    Reply Vote

    • RE: iPad 3 to come in March--maybe a 7

      @Sretko

      I have an iPhone but reading books on it is too difficult with my old eyes!
      gribittmep
      Reply Vote

      • Get new eyes

        @gribittmep
        problem solved. :)
        William Farrel
        Reply Vote

      • You are reading it wrong

        @gribittmep
        toddbottom
        Reply Vote

      • RE: iPad 3 to come in March--maybe a 7

        @gribittmep buy a Nook color, or Kindle Fire. Problem solved. See how easy it can be.
        Joel-r
        Reply Vote

  • RE: iPad 3 to come in March--maybe a 7

    My Wife has been asking for an eReader for while now and I held off because of the price of more "capable" tablets versus one cheap one that is just an eReader because I know she would like a couple simple games and be able to do some simple internet browsing on it too and the iPad is way too much. I was looking at the Kindle Fire because it is not bank breaking and offers just that but somehow I do not think Apple will be able to compete on that price level. Of course if it is $249 for the 7" model I may consider it just for the convenience of allowing my Wife to use her iTunes account she already has for her iPhone.
    bobiroc
    Reply Vote

    • RE: iPad 3 to come in March--maybe a 7

      @bobiroc <br><br>If your wife is a serious reader - I would just look at a eReader. The backlit screen on tablets can get annoying after 30 minutes or so and really annoying after a hour of serious reading. Where you won't get that with a eReader - Plus eReaders are about 1/2 the weight of a Kindle Fire and even far lighter than a iPad or such tablet. Much easier to hold up in one hand as you read.
      ChitownNC
      Reply Vote

      • 7

        @ChitownNC <br><br>It has infinite easy control of brightness, night mode, dusk mode. I bought it over the kindle because I liked it's form factor better. Size wise, 7" was the perfect size. I love the screen too, netflix, web, etc. Anyway, having read 1 1/2 books over this weekend for a total of about 20 hours, it is anything but annoying. I can see having to dive deep into submenu's but literally, tap-tap slide (hotlink to all reader settings), it is very easy. Perk is, you want to surf, read email, etc. <br><br>And despite all the naysayers to the contrary, if the nook was 10" and the kindle was the only 7", I would have a Kindle. Size was the determining factor for me.

        Edit: Oh, and you can ready with the lights off, night mode on super low brightness and you don't disturb your spouse or hurt your eyes.:edit
        BobsYourUnclw
        Reply Vote

    • RE: iPad 3 to come in March--maybe a 7

      @bobiroc Go ahead and buy her the Kindle Fire. I have both and to be honest, I am happier with the Fire. It fits in my purse just fine; goes everywhere with me. I have apps galore, music, couple of books and magazines, and a movie and there is plenty of space left. She will enjoy it and appreciate the thought that went into it.
      Geekygirl68
      Reply Vote

  • RE: iPad 3 to come in March--maybe a 7

    Here we go!

    No, Apple will not come out with a 7" model.
    1. The reason the Fire is selling so well is the price, not the size.
    2. Apple has no need to add a third size to their line of tablets (ipod touch, ipad).
    3. Adding another size just canabolizes the other two while raising production costs.
    4. These things are selling as fast as they can make them. Why do they need another size when they sell out of the size they have?
    5. Apple likes to keep their models offered to a minimum and make those great. Too many models equals confusion for the customer.
    6. It's a price point Apple does not want to compete in.

    They seem to be doing rather well with the current size, why mess it up?
    Angryshortguy
    Reply Vote

    • RE: iPad 3 to come in March--maybe a 7

      @Angryshortguy <br><br>They've done the same with iPods. There's now different categories of iPod users: the gym rats who just wanted a small shuffle or Nano (mini) for working out. The music enthusiasts who wanted to store all his/her collection in their pocket (iPod classic). Those who wanted a iPhone but without the contract (iPod Touch). <br><br>I think there's room for a smaller iPad tablet subset (or larger iPod Touch) without it canabolizing the current 10". Many right now are viewing the Kindle Fire as a stepping stone towards an iPad. A true tablet experience. The experience are vastly different with the 7" and 10" IMO and I think consumers will get that.
      dave95.
      Reply Vote
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