Rumor: Apple Working On A 7-Inch iPad?
(Image courtesy of alltouchtablet.com)
The runaway success of the iPad has been truly something else. While the features have been certainly plentiful, one aspect has left users a bit tired. Literally. The iPad has received complaints of being too heavy at times for users to hold. Perhaps Apple has a remedy in the future with a wee bit smaller version?
Whether or not it's an effort to try and keep up with Android & Co., who knows, but the rumored device would probably hit the market some time in 2011, if a research note released by Rodman & Renshaw analyst Ashok Kumar is to be believed. his take is that the second generation iPad would have both front and rear facing cameras, allowing for FaceTime.
Theories out there say that perhaps the size change would allow Apple to lower the bill of materials, and would make it a lot easier to be able to source materials like the display, which could let Apple remain competitive in the ever blossoming tablet arena.
How would you feel about a smaller iPad readers? Would you be willing to sacrifice screen size in exchange for a possibly lighter device? Leave the iPad as is? Feel free to leave comments below!
via Gigaom
Follow this article's author, Matthew Tilmann on Twitter
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Deannabrandt
September 27, 2010 at 7:50pm
Something about 1/2 the size it is now, a bit over double the iTouch size...Touch/ Phone is too small, iPad is too big. Have to carry a large purse for it. 7" diagonal screen would be just right. Just don't call it a "mini pad"!!
Abdull1996
September 22, 2010 at 8:16pm
It would be very bad if apple decreased the size of ipad, because smaller ipad is ipod touch.
I would like the size of the ipad screen (9.7") to be the same in the future ipad 2. Its just perfect the way it is.
Steve W. Jackson
September 22, 2010 at 8:24am
I already have an iPhone and am planning my iPad purchase for a bit later. But I have zero interest in a smaller iPad. My principal interest is to let my wife use it for things she now does that monopolize our iPhone, and to provide her with greater screen real estate for that purpose -- so a smaller one takes away what I'm seeking.
MLO
September 22, 2010 at 3:13am
We already have a smaller iPad, it's the iPhone/iPod Touch. The existing iPad is perfect as is.
Gabe
September 21, 2010 at 8:07pm
I wouldn't like a smaller iPad. If I need something smaller or lighter, i use my iPod touch. If Apple were able to make it lighter without sacrificing features or size, that would be great.
dbr3952
September 21, 2010 at 7:52pm
My ideal small form "touch pad size" (fits in shirt pocket, jacket and suit jacket pockets).
Overall Dimensions:
High (3.875 in) (98.5mm)
Wide (7.01 in) (178 mm) (or wider for controls, microphones, cameras)
Screen Diagonal (7.99in) (20.3 cm) (203mm)
Depth (8mm)
----
Subtract 5mm (just over 3/16” per side) from all sides for electronics edge/case clearance
----
adjusted approx. size - 168mm wide x 88.5mm high (diagonal (180mm)) 16:9 screen display - Max Resolution of 2271 x 1255 (using new 324 pxpi LCD IPS screen) supports 1080p.This form factor allows improvements to:
- viewing and touch surface area of an iphone/ipod touch type of device
- phone ergonomics (better ear speaker and voice microphone placement to face)
- touch area accuracy (better visual keyboard finger accuracy and key design/viewing space).
- reading space for web pages and e-books providing better large type viewing of the average page width with less sideways scrolling.
- more internal space for cameras/microphones, speaker, hdwe controls, battery, additional elements for SOC(multicore processors, more memory, mems gyroscope, HDTV/FM tuner etc.) & future items small form parallax cameras and LCD displays for 3D:
possibly like:
Sharp’s 3D/2D LCD display http://www.ubergizmo.com/15/archives/2010/04/sharp_announces_3d2d_switchable_touchscreen.html).
Sharp’s 3D mini camera http://www.tested.com/news/sharps-3d-camera-for-mobile-devices-faces-3-challenges/279/ Combinations of back facing parallax cameras with 3D displays could assist in improving augmented reality scenarios to 3D scenarios.The unit would still have a relatively light weight for extended reading, general use, etc.
and it is still easily carried and stored. Its still small enough for small hands.
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