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7 inch iPad coming for Christmas?

By Joshua Schnell Tue, Aug 17, 2010 @ 12:04 PM

4864820871 b06f5a756d z 300x200 7 inch iPad coming for Christmas?File this in the “Oh God, I hope not” category, Economic Daily News is telling everyone that Apple’s signed contracts with a number of manufacturers around Taiwan for the rumoured 7-inch iPad. The report says that the touchscreens will come from Cando Coproration, and the 7-in screen will come from Chimei Innolux.

Am I alone in thinking that this is a super bad idea?

I know, everyone is complaining about how heavy the iPad is for reading, but another device exactly the same as the iPad and iPhone is probably the last thing Apple needs right about now.

Constantly, I’m reminding myself that buying Apple devices is a double edged sword. Having the latest gadgets provides quite a buzz, but, even though I know it’s irrational, having them release version 2.0 of the same device within a year boils my blood. It’s hard to feel like it’s not a cash grab. It’s illogical and outright pathetic. I often get over the feelings quickly, knowing it’s the cost of being an early adopter, but sometimes those feelings linger on a bit longer than they should.

So, here’s my question to you, what would you have to see in a 7-inch iPad to buy one? Also, would you sell your current iPad for one? Is the iPad a case where bigger isn’t better? Or, am I out to lunch?

Maybe this is a rebranding of the iPod Touch, and less iPad Mini.

Article Via Slashgear

Image Credit: justmobile

  • travisgamedev

    For myself, this is exactly what I’ve been looking for. I’ve had an iPad since the launch and we have out grown it. I have a wife and two kids and one iPad just isn’t enough for a family of four. The constant battle to use it has gotten out of hand. All other computer in the house are off and everyone fights for the iPad. I would really like to get at least a second one, but don’t want to pay $500+ for it. If this new 7 inch iPad is cheaper, I will buy one at launch so I can have my original iPad back and let my wife and kids fight over the 7 inch. Thanks Apple.

  • Pingback: Rumor: iPad mini by Christmas? | iPadFantastic.com - The Worlds #1 Apple iPad Site

  • charles222

    I would really, really like this. My job has alot of online administrative stuff to do, and being able to whip out a 7-inch-screen device (not too large, but not too small, either) when I need to do e-paperwork would be freaking great. The Ipad is a great idea, but if you ask me, a device with a screen that large should be running real OSX and not it’s little cousin IOS.

    • http://www.macgasm.net Joshua Schnell

      Bam! You hit the nail right in the head. I never thought about it, and your point makes a lot of sense. What if Apple lets the current iPad run both, and the new 7in iPad would only run iOS. I’d buy one if that were the case, and my current iPad wouldn’t suffer either. That’s win-win. Thanks for the comment, you put this whole thing into a new context for me. :)

  • charles222

    Yeah, see, the Ipad really isn’t in the same market as other tablet/slate-type devices because of it’s size; Archos, for example, offers 5 and 7 inch-screen slates, and Dell’s new Streak is a 5-inch. These are obviously designed for easy portability-they’re just within pocket size.

    The Ipad is kindof a hybrid between a smartphone and a desktop PC; it’s fairly compact and simple to use, but includes programs like Iwork; but it’s size prevents it from really being portable unless you’re willing to take a backpack everywhere you go. Which is weird, given it’s 3G data connection. Who would bother paying for 3G when you can just get on your home’s wi-fi network and get faster speeds, longer battery life, and not be paying 20 bucks a month for AT&T’s 2 gigs of data a month. I can understand OSX being a bad idea on something Iphone-size (Spaces and Hot Corners would be a balls-up to use, for example; you’d be turning on the dashboard every time you happened to drift a little) But with a ten-inch screen, the Ipad just screams OSX compatibility. IoS 4 is nice, but jeez, OSX would just own, as Axiotron has shown with their Modbook series.

    But yeah, the Ipad Nano (if that’s what it’s called) should be an IOS device with a seven-inch screen to retain some of the obvious uses for a 3G device-namely, the Maps app and Safari. Maps is difficult to honestly navigate on on the Iphone and would benefit from a boost in screen size (although I think Maps need a total overhaul to a more Tom Tom-like graphical layout in general, but I’m a realistic man :p) The web would of course be a whole lot nicer with a 7-inch screen as well.

    The other big thing that nags me about the Ipad is the harddrive size. 64 gigs is the absolute max with an Ipad; that’s honestly pretty pathetic compared to other upscale tablets, like the one Nvidia is planning with something like a 250-gig drive in it, or, for that matter, the Modbook, which has up to 500 gigs available (granted, for alot of money, but if you’re one of those people who wouldn’t mind converting an older Macbook into a laptop there’s really no price difference for a hugely more capable OS and 3 more inches of screen, plus USB ports, etc etc).

    So, yeah: Give the Ipad OSX and more harddrive space, and introduce a smaller one with IOS for people who leave the house every once in awhile.

  • george

    Given the rapidfire pace that Android devices are hitting the market, Apple can’t stick to their once-a-year hardware refresh schedule for mobile devices and expect to remain competitive. The time between the latest/greatest new Android phone hitting the market is measured in weeks, not months or quarters. Since Apple is not licensing out iOS 4 to third-party hardware manufacturers, it’s up to Apple to provide us with a full slate of iOS devices.

    More choices and faster updates is a total win for consumers.

  • Michael ipwn

    Let’s look at the facts.

    There are half a dozen companies coming out with similar 7 inch products.

    Apple has cornered the market place on touch devices, phones, mp3 players, tablets. I have an ipad and the number 1 reason other people don’t THE PRICE.

    A smaller tablet means they can compete, get free publicity (I.E. This conversation)and with their strong Apple name and backing they will continue to dominate the market.

    Sure they can keep the 9.27 inch screen ipad because at the end of the day when you buy your 7 inch ipad you’ll think “gosh for a few more dollars I could have the bigger one, let me sell this one and get a bigger one” Apple has done very well with this strategy time and time again.

    I wouldn’t call this ipad 2.0 IMO they need to rename the device, ipalm, iport…something! 2.0 would mean Bigger and better. This appears to just be smaller and faster. When I got my ipad I thought it was kind of small but as I used it I realized it was the perfect size.

    I agree with your frustration…and when you’re using your ipad (probably someplace public, because I mean you bought it so other people could see you have it.) and you see someone with the new smaller faster ipalm (I like that one) You can always revert to the argument…”Well mines bigger than yours!”

    • http://www.macgasm.net Joshua Schnell

      ROTFL, I’m sure someone will bust out a “That’s what she said!” joke if I play the bigger card.;)

  • charles222

    I like the sound of “Ipalm”. This “nano” and “mini” stuff sounds stupid.

    Or maybe…Itricorder :p

    • http://www.macgasm.net Joshua Schnell

      Agreed, hopefully we can do away with Nano at the very least.

  • Janet55

    hmm, really? launch the 7-inch iPad by Christmas!
    Well, I think the 9.7 inch screen must be more popular for enjoying movies and videos, u know one of the top features of iPad is movie watching. At least now Im sucked in enjoying kinds of videos and movies with iPad, though some times need in the help of iPad video converter from iFunia for lack of flash support.

    But on the contrast, the 7-inch also have market I bileve, as it will be lightter than the 9.7 inch one, it’s really a little heavy to keep around.

  • cotton

    I just want to know what stand that is featured in the photo

  • Jack

    I just bought an iPad from Covent Garden (London) and already hear rumours of the iPad coming out with a camera grrrr. Is facetime on an ipad really that important? Especially if you have the new iphone? Surely the iPad is a little heavy to hold up to your face on the go….

  • http://www.macgasm.net/2010/08/17/7-inch-ipad-coming-christmas/ CaseyK

    Think about it! It could be used in a car dash! Thats what i wanted to do but the 9.7 is to big.