A rear panel believed to be for the upcoming second-generation iPad mini appears to have been leaked from Apple’s supply chain. The panel is largely the same as the existing one — suggesting the new model will look identical to the original — but it has a new Apple logo on its back.
The fifth-generation iPad is expected to adopt a whole new form factor, much like that of the iPad mini’s, only bigger. And proof of that comes with this leaked rear panel that has surfaced in China. Although the new model will have the same 9.7-inch Retina display as the existing iPad, this panel proves it will be significantly thinner, and narrower, with thinner bezels down the sides of its display.
That’s the big question everyone is asking about the second-generation iPad mini, and we’ve been seeing conflicting reports about it for several months. But according to sources “familiar with the matter,” who have been speaking to The Wall Street Journal, it’s “likely” the answer to that question is yes.
As apparent through the company’s tagline “musicians first,” IK Multimedia generally makes stuff for musicians; but their new iKlip iPad stand should also fit a ton of scenarios that have absolutely nothing to do with music.
The stand combines a wide-stance, stable, metal-reinforced base with a tall neck that ends in a frame that an iPad slides into. There are two adjustable points, both of which lock: an elbow in the middle of the neck, and a ball pivot where the neck meets the iPad frame.
Today Google unveiled its second-gen Nexus 7 tablet. The 7-inch, ASUS-made device packs a stunning 1,920 x 1,200 display. That translates to 323 pixels per inch, which is up considerably from the first Nexus 7’s 216 ppi. It’s also a higher resolution display than what Apple offers with the iPad mini, the company’s only flagship product that hasn’t been Retina-fied yet.
Google is right when it says that it has the “world’s highest-resolution 7-inch tablet.” The first Nexus 7 beat the iPad mini’s display quality too. So will Apple finally answer with a Retina iPad mini this fall?
Apple’s fifth-generation iPad will feature a new touchscreen technology that will help it become thinner and lighter, according to industry sources. The device is expected to adopt a new form factor much like the iPad mini’s, with thinner bezels and a smaller frame — and Apple will have to make a number of changes to its internals to enable that.
In the sphere of Apple, most analysts are generally full of it. KGI Securities analyst Ming-Chi Kuo is one of the exceptions; when he says something’s happening, there’s a pretty good chance it actually is.
Now, Kuo’s supply chain checks have indicated that the end of the year might be a rough one for Apple: not only is Kuo not anticipating a new iPad mini this year, but he’s forecasting serious supply issues at the launch of the iPhone 5S.
Since Apple launched the iPhone in 2007, smartphones have really taken off , and more than 1 billion people worldwide now own one. Last year alone, smartphones generated $293.9 billion in sales, but the cost of the average smartphone has begun falling.
More than half of cellphone owners in the U.S. and other developed markets already own a smartphone, and those in emerging markets such as China and India aren’t able to pay for high-end devices like the iPhone. As a result, cheaper options are becoming increasingly popular.
Just this week DigiTimes reported that the iPad mini with Retina display wouldn’t be available until 2014 due to supply constraints, but its “industry sources” appear to have changed their minds. The Korean outlet now reports that the device will launch this October instead.
On the right, the iPad mini, with its distinctive thin bezel design. On the left, the Samsung Galaxy Tab 3, with its distinctive thin bezel design. Both are eight inch tablets that look pretty much identical. I’m sure this will be the last time that Samsung follows Apple’s lead though, right? Absolutely shameless.
Reaction to this ruggedized, clamshell Bluetooth keyboard case for the iPad mini must surely qualify as a “what the…?!” moment. Not because the New Trent Airbender Mini is ruggedized, and a keyboard, and a case, and a stand; but because it combines each of those sought-after elements for $40.
We’re expecting Apple to refresh almost all of its iOS devices this fall — including the incredibly popular iPad mini. But a new rumor claims we won’t see it equipped with a Retina display until 2014, when it’ll also get a new design with an “almost bezel-free look.”
The iPad mini is, for my money, the perfect iPad as far as form factor is concerned. But man, that 1024 x 768 display just looks like garbage once you’ve gone Retina. So while I have (and love) my iPad mini as an e-reader, I won’t get rid of my Retina iPad until the iPad mini can match it, pixel for pixel.
I doubt I’m alone in this, which is why everyone’s eagerly waiting for the iPad mini 2. Apple obviously wants to put a Retina display in the next-generation tablet, but the question remains: is the technology (and the production yields) there yet to make it a reality? Not in 2013, according to a new report.
Made from durable thermoplastic polyurethane, the Ballistic Smooth Series case for iPad mini aims to provide even the clumsiest of owners with all the protection they’ll need for their beloved tablet. And it does so without adding too much bulk.
Smooth Series by Ballistic Category: Cases Works With: iPad mini Price: $39.99
“Your new iPad mini is a sleek and sexy piece of technology, we want to make sure you can keep it that way,” Ballistic says. “We developed the Ballistic Smooth Series case for the iPad mini. This case offers the best of both worlds, it is slim but still offers a lot of protection from the hazards of daily use.”
The Smooth Series comes in four colors — black, hot pink, charcoal, and purple — all of which include four sets of replaceable corner bumpers in a variety of different colors, so you can customize its look to suit you. It’s priced at $39.99, so let’s find out whether it’s worth it.
Best Buy is currently giving away gift cards worth a minimum of $200 to those who trade-in a second- or third-generation iPad for a new model. The offer will get you a brand new fourth-generation iPad with Retina display for as little as $299.99.
Apple is gearing up to launch its fifth-generation iPad this September, according to sources in its supply chain. The device is expected to offer a new form factor much like the iPad mini’s, as well as some backlighting modifications and better battery life.
We may have to wait a little longer for the second-generation iPad mini, however. The sources claim Apple is still deciding whether to bring a Retina display to the 7.85-inch device, and if it does, the launch could be delayed until “the end of the fourth quarter.”
A former Apple lawyer faces criminal insider trading charges. Photo: Cult of Mac file
Apple has moved up to number 19 in the latest Fortune Global 500 survey thanks to its financial performance throughout 2012, which saw the Cupertino company collect $157 billion in revenue. The iPhone 5 and the iPad mini have been credited for its success over the past 12 months.
Meet the DSPTCH case, the perfect vowel-free traveling companion for your iPad mini. It’s a simple envelope-style sleeve, only it has a bunch of unobtrusive straps and pockets on the outside to wrangle your on-the-road essentials.
PocketShield by Lioncase Category: Cases Works With: iPad Mini Price: $32
As ever, I shall start this iPad case review by reminding you that I only ever use a Smart Cover on either of my iPads, the mini and the Retina. And that on the occasions that I might be moved to use a case (when not actively reviewing one) I like something light and thin.
Which brings me to the Lioncase Pocket Shield for the iPad mini. It’s slim (13mm), it’s light (150g) and it has a pocket!
As we predicted, iOS 7 Beta 2 dropped for developers today, but substantially, it’s the first iOS 7 beta to support the iPad 2, Retina iPad and iPad mini.
Foxconn has an iPad mini production plant inside Brazil but Apple still hasn’t made the iPad mini available in the country, even though it launched eight months ago in the U.S. Brazilians won’t have to wait much longer though, as a new report claims that Apple make the iPad mini available in Brazil starting next Tuesday.
Apple’s clever iPad mini ads that have been featured on the back covers of Time, Wired, the New Yorker, and Surfer, were just awarded one of the most prestigious advertising award in the world today.
The Apple iPad mini campaign by TBWA Media Arts Lab won the Grand Prix in press even though the iPad mini has been viewed by many as the device that will eventually kill newspapers and magazine. To get the top prize, Apple beat out strong competition from Dove and Beijing Sports.
Marcello Serpa, chief creative officer at Almap BBDO presided over the judging and had the following explanation for why Apple won:
We’ve all seen iOS 7 running on the iPhone 5 now, but Apple’s still holding back showing it off on the iPad… at least, everywhere except on their site, where the eagle-eyed boys over at iGen.fr spotted Apple’s official shots of iOS 7 running on the iPad 2, iPad 3 & 4, and iPad mini.
There’s even a shot of what the official Music app looks like running on the iPad. Looking good!
If Apple is going to update the iPad mini with a Retina Display a year after it’s debut, they need to get cracking on sourcing the 2,048 x 1,536 resolution, 7.9-inch displays that will drive them. Now a new rumor suggests that Apple has contracted good ol’ frenemy Samsung to make them for them.
Tablets are pretty impressive, but they still can’t quite effectively replace a desktop or laptop computer. This Cult of Mac Deals offer makes your iPad that much more effective a replacement option.
This 3-in–1 adapter will help bridge the gap between tablet and fully functional computer. Most importantly, the 3-in–1 iPad adapter cuts out the middle man when uploading photos to your iPad, saving you a ton of time. And Cult of Mac Deals is offering this little device for only $19 – shipping included – so you can save a ton of money as well!