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[mcfrank]

Folks in this thread saying the Kindle Fire is selling like crazy, care to cite your sources? Amazon has not released any sales numbers on it that I am aware of and I have only ever seen 2 in the wild on the campus that I work at (vs seeing 5-10 students with iPads per day)

I am not convinced that the market has shown a desire for the 7inch form factor.

 

[tino]

Folks in this thread saying the Kindle Fire is selling like crazy, care to cite your sources? Amazon has not released any sales numbers on it that I am aware of and I have only ever seen 2 in the wild on the campus that I work at (vs seeing 5-10 students with iPads per day)

I am not convinced that the market has shown a desire for the 7inch form factor.

http://onlinepubs.ehclients.com/ima...t_of_Tablet_User-Wave_2_--_Jun12_(Public).pdf

This survey showed the Fire number is huge. 28% of the tablets owners surveyed own a Fire. Thats higher than the total Android percentage and very close to the leader iPad 2, 31%


This explains google betting the whole house on 7 inch.

 

[numble]

http://onlinepubs.ehclients.com/ima...t_of_Tablet_User-Wave_2_--_Jun12_(Public).pdf

This survey showed the Fire number is huge. 28% of the tablets owners surveyed own a Fire. Thats higher than the total Android percentage and very close to the leader iPad 2, 31%


This explains google betting the whole house on 7 inch.

This online survey also says Blackberry Playbook = HP Touchpad = iPad 3rd Gen in terms of ownership.

 

[Mr Swine]

I really really hope this doesn't mean that Apple is not going to release a IPod Touch 5. If they release this instead of that I'm going to get really really pissed....

 

[Divvy]

This online survey also says Blackberry Playbook = HP Touchpad = iPad 3rd Gen in terms of ownership.

That doesn't prove it's inaccurate.

 

[numble]

That doesn't prove it's inaccurate.

It may be accurate in terms of their online survey participants, yes. I don't think it reflects the actual market, though.

 

[CharminUltra]

Folks in this thread saying the Kindle Fire is selling like crazy, care to cite your sources? Amazon has not released any sales numbers on it that I am aware of and I have only ever seen 2 in the wild on the campus that I work at (vs seeing 5-10 students with iPads per day)

I am not convinced that the market has shown a desire for the 7inch form factor.

From NPD:

"According to NPD’s Consumer Tracking Service the Kindle actually sold (there is that word again, this time properly used) 1.8m units in the first quarter. That is an actual consumer bought it and took it home (or had it delivered) and paid their own real money."

http://www.npdgroupblog.com/2012/05/shipments-are-not-sales/

So they shipped 700k tablets that quarter, but sold 1.8m (sold number is higher due to left overs from holidays).

Apple sold 11.8m iPads during Q2 (quarter after holidays).

EDIT:

http://onlinepubs.ehclients.com/ima...t_of_Tablet_User-Wave_2_--_Jun12_(Public).pdf

Yeah, this seems way off.

 

[tino]

This online survey also says Blackberry Playbook = HP Touchpad = iPad 3rd Gen in terms of ownership.

Depends on the timing of the survey. I dont question the Touchpad number but the Playbook number is a tag high. RIMM probably gave away most of the stock to corperations.

 

[darkwing]

Retina or bust

 

[goldenticket]

From what i understand on the kindle fire vs ipad is the fire isnt anywhere on the level saleswise but it was the first tablet to have some real success. The fact that is so much cheaper and while it doesnt do everything and ipad does and is not as powerful its still a great value. So apple would like to cover all their bases and release a smaller/cheaper ipad as a way to limit the growth of the fire and any future smaller/cheaper tablets.

Im an apple guy with a kindle fire and im totally happy with it. I do use it mainly for reading and a few games. Im sure i will get an ipad someday (most likely the smaller/cheaper one) and when i do i will continue to buy books through amazon and use the kindle app on the ipad.

 

[blueICE]

I followed this bullshit rumor closely for 2 years until I brought a Galaxy Note now I dont care anymore.

+1

 

[Zeth]

WSJ is backing up the Bloomberg rumor today.

 

[Good Job Bob]

WSJ is backing up the Bloomberg rumor today.

Pretty much confirmed then.

 

[tino]

Pretty much confirmed then.

There was a wsj 7.85" ipad report before the ipad3 event. A wsj report basically means it was leaked by Apple directly, doesnt mean it will actually release soon.

 

[Cheebo]

Basically a done deal then, there goes any shot of Galaxy 7 finding a viable place on the market place pretty much.

There was a wsj 7.85" ipad report before the ipad3 event. A wsj report basically means it was leaked by Apple directly, doesnt mean it will actually release soon.

Nothing reputable before now. And WSJ pinpoints to a September production date. This is very different than the early rumors. It is coming from real news outlets now. And they are all saying fall.

And Apple isn't going to sit on it, releasing in this year at a comparable price means the Kindle Fire and Nexus 7 are pretty much dead in the water.

 

[Good Job Bob]

There was a wsj 7.85" ipad report before the ipad3 event. A wsj report basically means it was leaked by Apple directly, doesnt mean it will actually release soon.

That report merely stated that they were testing a Mini iPad, this one states that they are going through with it and it's launching soon with production starting in September.

 

[killakiz]

Hope it has an LTE radio... Only thing that fades me about the NEXUS 7.

 

[Blackhead]

Will be interesting to see what they come up with.




There's one thing that kind of bothers me about it though. The allure of a 7" for many is the more convenient form-factor. Not only is it more portable than a full-size tablet, but most people can actually one-hand them comfortably during use.

The problem with a 7" iPad is that aspect ratio would make this impossible for most people as it would be a fair amount wider. Unless you have Edgar Allan Poe creepy fingers, you aren't going to be holding it like that. Even if you're Mr. Fingers though, I'm pretty sure an 8" would make impossible.

Hopefully this is not the case, but if it does end up being true ... it's like Apple kind of missed the point. It's just a me-too product that doesn't really get it.

Well said. The 7-8" iPad is also rumored to have a lower resolution than the Nexus 7 :|

 

[Vyer]

Yeah, that's pretty much confirmation. Should be interesting.

 

[Cheebo]

Well said. The 7-8" iPad is also rumored to have a lower resolution than the Nexus 7 :|

I really doubt that will stop 100x the people buying it this fall over a nexus 7 though.
If the reports are true and it costs less than 300 the 7-8 market will look just like the 10 inch market in user base.

 

[Vic]

Basically a done deal then, there goes any shot of Galaxy 7 finding a viable place on the market place pretty much.



Nothing reputable before now. And WSJ pinpoints to a September production date. This is very different than the early rumors. It is coming from real news outlets now. And they are all saying fall.

And Apple isn't going to sit on it, releasing in this year at a comparable price means the Kindle Fire and Nexus 7 are pretty much dead in the water.

I really doubt that...

 

[Cheebo]

I really doubt that...

I have a nexus 7 on preorder but the iPad has a million times stronger branding as a device and if it costs pretty similar to the nexus 7 it is pretty clear what will happen on the market.

 

[Vic]

I have a nexus 7 on preorder but the iPad has a million times stronger branding as a device and if it costs pretty similar to the nexus 7 it is pretty clear what will happen on the market.

Sure, it'll steal sales from the Nexus, but it won't kill it. The Nexus 7 seems like a good product and I believe that it will sell decently.

 

[Ghost]

I don't know if a smaller tablet works as a concept for Apple, because for Amazon and Google the main reason to go 7" is to save cost, if Apple go at it they'll want to make something high end (at that size) and if they do that the cost wont be much different to the iPad2 which is still on sale, still arguably more useful than a 7" device, and still undoubtedly best in class at its price point.

I can see the argument that Apple doesn't want google to push huge volumes in tablets like it has in phones, but I just don't think they can do it at the right price to really compete in the sector. I think Amazon and Google will have a straight fight on the low end of the price scale, my money's firmly on Google.

Personally I can't wait for my Nexus 7 to show up.

 

[Cheebo]

I don't know if a smaller tablet works as a concept for Apple, because for Amazon and Google the main reason to go 7" is to save cost, if Apple go at it they'll want to make something high end (at that size) and if they do that the cost wont be much different to the iPad2 which is still on sale, still arguably more useful than a 7" device, and still undoubtedly best in class at its price point.

iPad 2 costs $399, all rumors point to this using the iPad 2 specs/screen resolution/etc. With everything being smaller it seems pretty easy how they then get that down from $399 to $299. It makes no sense why something with the same specs as iPad 2 but cheaper to make due to smaller screen, casing, etc would cost the same as iPad 2.

I bet we see a 8 gig version for $250 and 16 gig for $299.

 

[EightBitNate]

I don't know if a smaller tablet works as a concept for Apple, because for Amazon and Google the main reason to go 7" is to save cost, if Apple go at it they'll want to make something high end (at that size) and if they do that the cost wont be much different to the iPad2 which is still on sale, still arguably more useful than a 7" device, and still undoubtedly best in class at its price point.

I can see the argument that Apple doesn't want google to push huge volumes in tablets like it has in phones, but I just don't think they can do it at the right price to really compete in the sector. I think Amazon and Google will have a straight fight on the low end of the price scale, my money's firmly on Google.

Personally I can't wait for my Nexus 7 to show up.

I don't think it'll be too hard. I think they could sell an 8gb version at $300 and 16gb at $350. They could just string the internals of the iPad 2.
However, I think Apple will add some sort of "gimmick" to it so that it stands out. Maybe a stylus or something so that it's more enticing.

 

[Leona Lewis]

Sure, it'll steal sales from the Nexus, but it won't kill it. The Nexus 7 seems like a good product and I believe that it will sell decently.

I agree that Nexus 7 is a great product, but I can't trust that Google will actually market it. And is it even in stores, or just online? It'll be another Galaxy Nexus - a best-in-class gadget for the hardcore.

I don't think $199 (even with those great specs) will do the job for Android on tablets without a massive marketing push.

 

[Zeth]

I'm betting that If the next iPhone screen gets elongated vertically, the mini iPad will use the same aspect ratio/resolution. Would make it narrow enough to hold in one hand, unlike the current 4:3. Makes sense.

 

[Vic]

I agree that Nexus 7 is a great product, but I can't trust that Google will actually market it. And is it even in stores, or just online? It'll be another Galaxy Nexus - a best-in-class gadget for the hardcore.

I don't think $199 (even with those great specs) will do the job for Android on tablets without a massive marketing push.

You right. We don't know how Google will push the device. The biggest issue is that's it only sold in 3 different countries right now.

 

[numble]

I don't think it'll be too hard. I think they could sell an 8gb version at $300 and 16gb at $350. They could just string the internals of the iPad 2.
However, I think Apple will add some sort of "gimmick" to it so that it stands out. Maybe a stylus or something so that it's more enticing.

Why would anyone buy that at $350 when $50 more doubles the screen size today, or gets you a 3rd-gen 10” iPad in 5 months?

 

[EightBitNate]

Why would anyone buy that at $350 when $50 more doubles the screen size today, or gets you a 3rd-gen 10” iPad in 5 months?

Yeah, that's why I think it needs something else. I'm not sure a stylus be worth it but I'm sure theres something.

 

[LCfiner]

For everyone touting the Nexus 7 as a the big win for Android in tablets - and as something Apple needs to respond to - has anything changed in the Android tablet software ecosystem in the days since the announcement?

I mean, jelly bean is a nice update to 4.0 but I saw nothing indicating that apps on the Android are miraculously gong to be better. The only difference is that 200 dollars now gets you an ereader with a faster processor and better screen than before, when you were limited to the Fire and Nook color.

Nexus 7 apps are still going to be oversized phone apps. its functionality will still be limited by the screen size and overall lack of software support.

A smaller ipad may not be my ideal tablet size but at least we know that dev support will be there from day one. their ecosystem is still unmatched.

 

[mclaren777]

iPad mini 8gb $299
iPad mini 16gb $399
iPad 16gb (with retina display) $499
iPad 32gb (with retina display) $599
iPad 64gb (with retina display) $699

Goodbye tablet competitors!

There will always be holdouts who don't want to support Apple.

 

[LCfiner]

There will always be clouds that need to be yelled at

 

[tyrone888]

I don't think the Nexus 7 changes much in the Android landscape because Android users have so many different tablets to choose from anyway. It will be popular like the Nexus is for phones, which means good sales, but nothing spectacular.

A smaller iPad will be a smash hit just because it's made by Apple. That's not a knock at Android, it's just the reality of how loyal Apple users are to the brand. I'm sure there will be a huge audience for a 7" iPad when it comes out, if it is priced at $299 or less. In fact, I could see some Apple users keeping their 9.5" iPad for home use only, and then buying a mini-iPad to travel with.

 

[LM4sure]

Didn't Steve Jobs say the ipad was the perfect size and they wouldn't make a smaller one? I think he also said that about a larger iphone, but looks like both are coming true!

I don't really see the market for a 7" ipad though. It's not like people will line up to get one, when it's the same device, only smaller. Apple running out of ideas??

 

[EightBitNate]

Didn't Steve Jobs say the ipad was the perfect size and they wouldn't make a smaller one? I think he also said that about a larger iphone, but looks like both are coming true!

I don't really see the market for a 7" ipad though. It's not like people will line up to get one, when it's the same device, only smaller. Apple running out of ideas??

The iPad is the iPod, only bigger.

 

[Zeth]

It's not like people will line up to get one, when it's the same device, only smaller.

You've got to know that's wrong. They will definitely line up.

 

[LQX]

I guess the new price for 7" tablets will be $300. And goodbye iPod touch?

 

[tyrone888]

Nah, we'll still see Android 7" tablets at $199.

 

[tyrone888]

Didn't Steve Jobs say the ipad was the perfect size and they wouldn't make a smaller one? I think he also said that about a larger iphone, but looks like both are coming true!

I don't really see the market for a 7" ipad though. It's not like people will line up to get one, when it's the same device, only smaller. Apple running out of ideas??

Newsflash: Steve Jobs doesn't work for Apple anymore! Tim Cook has been changing Apple lately.

 

[Cheebo]

Newsflash: Steve Jobs doesn't work for Apple anymore! Tim Cook has been changing Apple lately.

And Jobs point blank told Cook to not think about what he would do, to make Apple his own.

 

[Angry Grimace]

I'm sure Apple will come out with a 7" tablet, say they invented first, then patent it, then sue everyone else with a 7" tablet.

Perfect.

I don't get the insistence there's no market for this. There totally is given that I would buy one.

 

[Damon Bennet]

Perfect.

I don't get the insistence there's no market for this. There totally is given that I would buy one.

I wonder how the current iPad line would suffer from it?

A lighter 7" ipad perfectly suited for ebooks would eat the whole "i could read" aspect of the normal-ipad market. browsing and apps should stay the same so in the end, the bigger ipads will be only that: bigger ipads wich are heavier and thus less functional. they'll have more space etc, but who cares with the cloud.

so between a 7" ipad and worlds more functional windows 8 tablets, i wonder where the ~10" ipad line will end up.

 

[BFIB]

I'll believe it when I see it. Aren't these the same sources who stated that Apple would debut a 4" iPhone with an entire new chassis last year?

 

[Cheebo]

I wonder how the current iPad line would suffer from
A lighter 7" ipad perfectly suited for ebooks would eat the whole "i could read" aspect of the normal-ipad market. browsing and apps should stay the same so in the end, the bigger ipads will be only that: bigger ipads wich are heavier and thus less functional. they'll have more space etc, but who cares with the cloud.

so between a 7" ipad and worlds more functional windows 8 tablets, i wonder where the ~10" ipad line will end up.

"If you don't cannibalize your business, someone else will" - Steve Jobs

 

[Sean]

I don't know if a smaller tablet works as a concept for Apple, because for Amazon and Google the main reason to go 7" is to save cost, if Apple go at it they'll want to make something high end (at that size) and if they do that the cost wont be much different to the iPad2 which is still on sale, still arguably more useful than a 7" device, and still undoubtedly best in class at its price point.

I can see the argument that Apple doesn't want google to push huge volumes in tablets like it has in phones, but I just don't think they can do it at the right price to really compete in the sector. I think Amazon and Google will have a straight fight on the low end of the price scale, my money's firmly on Google.

Why is that? Apple sells millions of products, buys in bulk, gets parts cheaper than anyone else. I think they'll charge a premium over Fire/Nexus just because they can, and they'd actually be profitable unlike these other guys. But Apple most certainly can compete on price if they really wanted to.

This is according to iSuppli, the bill of materials for iPad 2 (16gb) is $236 and this was from months ago before they switched to 32nm I believe. If they drop the storage down to 8gb, smaller screen, smaller battery, etc like the other guys they could easily match those price points (if they wanted to).

 

[br0ken_shad0w]

For everyone touting the Nexus 7 as a the big win for Android in tablets - and as something Apple needs to respond to - has anything changed in the Android tablet software ecosystem in the days since the announcement?

I mean, jelly bean is a nice update to 4.0 but I saw nothing indicating that apps on the Android are miraculously gong to be better. The only difference is that 200 dollars now gets you an ereader with a faster processor and better screen than before, when you were limited to the Fire and Nook color.

Nexus 7 apps are still going to be oversized phone apps. its functionality will still be limited by the screen size and overall lack of software support.

A smaller ipad may not be my ideal tablet size but at least we know that dev support will be there from day one. their ecosystem is still unmatched.

That's basically it. Plus it's a fully-functional android tablet and not a gimped one like the Kindle Fire.

 

[Raistlin]

Why would anyone buy that at $350 when $50 more doubles the screen size today, or gets you a 3rd-gen 10” iPad in 5 months?

some prefer the form-factor

 

[AwayFromInfinityx]

hmmm this is tempting