The New York Times recently joined a series of publications by claiming that a source provided insider information of Apple’s plan to release a smaller, less expensive iPad model for release later this year. The report provides no additional information but does confirm previous rumors by saying consumers can expect the unannounced 7.85-inch iPad that will cost “significantly less than the latest $499 iPad” when it debuts later this year.
Previous reports from The Wall Street Journal and Bloomberg both claimed Apple was working on the currently called “iPad Mini” saying the next device is expected to launch before the year’s end. Recently, images of supposed iPad Mini “engineering samples” were leaked and included side-by-side comparisons with the current third-generation iPad.
According to analysts and those in the technology industry, Apple’s move to create a smaller iPad is a new strategy the company is using to try and garner and retain a larger market share by introducing a variety of tablet sizes. Here, The New York Times, cleverly pointed out that the introduction of a new model is similar to the strategy used with the iPod line, which ranges from the iPod Shuffle to the iPod Classic.
If the iPad Mini is announced, it might face some tough competition with Google’s Nexus 7 tablet and the upcoming Amazon Kindle Fire models. The target audience is lower but the company may overall flourish as many continue to grow fond of Apple products and switching platforms is usually more effort than it’s worth. That being said, such a move would also allow Apple to target a new audience which was previously untapped potential for them. We’ll have to wait and see what move Apple takes next though.
Source: The New York Times
Reply
