Brace yourselves, the iPad Mini rumors are coming. It has been reported that Apple is working on a mid-range iPad which will be released next year and would presumably be named iPad Mini.
Yes after Apple released iPhone 4S earlier this month we knew that the only rumors coming in now would be of a next generation iPad. It is being said that Apple is planning to release an iPad Mini next year, despite the fact that deceased co-founder Steve Jobs loathed 7-inch tablets. While Apple will release an iPad 3 with quad-core A6 processor by March 2012, suddenly there's chatter about an iPad Mini which kind of makes us reminisce about the iPhone Nano debacle, a device that never has and probably never will be produced.
The iPad mini is said to release in early 2012 and it is supposed to have the same 1024x768 resolution but with a smaller 7.85" screen. Taiwan's United Daily News has stated today that Apple has received samples of some 7.85" screens from LG Display and AU Optronics. It is implied that this iPad Mini is being released to compete with Amazon's recently released Kindle Fire tablet which is priced at $199, has a 7" display and is rapidly gaining attention, though not the likes of something that would ring alarm bells at Cupertino.
Editor's note: The only reason given in this rumor due to which Apple might release iPad Mini is the fact that it is somehow threatened by Kindle Fire and its appeal to those looking for a mid-range tablet. Indeed, Kindle Fire is the best tablet for those who don't want to spend top dollar and still get to show off their new tablet regardless of what its capable of doing. Former CEO Steve Jobs loathed 7-inch tablets and was very open about it. His statements on this matter very clear and we knew that under Steve Jobs' watch Apple would never release a 7-inch iPad, and while we're on the subject of things Apple might not release, an iPhone with a keyboard. However there's been a major change at Apple. Tim Cook is the new CEO and Steve Jobs has passed away. Is it possible that an iPad Mini is something Tim Cook is pushing for? Does he feel that Apple needs to tap in to the mid-range tablet market? Even if its true, the goal here then would not be with 7-inch tablets, it would solely be with the price point. Many manufacturers including Samsung and BlackBerry have their 7-inch tablets out in the market which are priced similarly to the iPad. While it is evident that they lose out market share because people would rather spend $499 on an iPad, the only reason that would make sense for Apple to release iPad Mini will be if the company wants to penetrate or Lord help them, lead in the mid-range tablet market with a toned down version of its already popular iPad that will run iOS 5, will have access to thousands of apps and still be priced to compete with Kindle Fire's $199 price point. This way, Apple will not only win market share in the mid-range price point but will also make people like 7-inch tablets. Killing two birds with one stone, this one reeks classic Apple.
Furthermore, an iPad 3 is already said to be in production. This will retain the same screen size that Apple pioneered with in the original iPad but will have far better hardware specifications which will include a quad-core A6 processor, Retina Display with 2048x1536 resolution. If Apple keeps up with its release cycles, the iPad 3 should be released in March 2012.
Do you think Apple is contemplating an iPad Mini release for the reasons stated above? We'd like to hear what you think! Get the discussion rolling by commenting below.