Smaller, Cheaper iPad in the Works

Apple is said to prepare the launch of iPad Mini, a cheaper and smaller version of its renowned tablet, later this year, thus leaving behind the wishes of late Steve Jobs.

The Android tablets that have been launched recently, along with the soon-to-be-launched Windows 8 tablets, represent a real threat to Apple. The reasonable prices and the great features might determine people to look away from iPad. Seeing this, Apple allegedly decided to prepare iPad Mini, a 7 or 8 inch version of its tablet, which is believed to be already in production. Presumably, iPad Mini will be launched sometime at the end of the year, to compete against the likes of Google Nexus 7.

The rumors have not been confirmed by Apple, which is famous for its secrecy. Instead, these might have  started in the Far East, where most of the company’s products are made. More than that, a Samsung official hinted at the launch of iPad Mini at the beginning of this year. Since there is only speculation, as the company has not announced such a product, the specs do not represent a certainty, either. However, a display measuring either 7 or 8 inches would be ideal, as it would compete directly against the smaller Android tablets.

The launch of iPad Mini is not something Steve Jobs would have liked. You might ask what Steve Jobs has to do with all this. Well, the former CEO of Apple was ferociously against the launch of a smaller and cheaper iPad. My guess is that they did not want to cut down the profit of the company, even though Steve Jobs claimed that a smaller screen size would not match the software properly. However, a smaller tablet running iOS makes perfect sense financially. If the price is competitive enough, the company should expect selling many such mini tablets.

In Europe, the iPad comes at a steep price, which is not backed-up by its warranty. Android tablets usually come with a 2-year warranty, while Apple’s products (not only the iPad) are shipped with a 1-year one. The ones who know what planned obsolescence is will undoubtedly consider this a major drawback for the iPad. Either way, if it is an iPad Mini that you want for Christmas, chances are your wishes will most likely come true, as the launch date is believed to be this late autumn.

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