Good News: found my next device, Bad News: It's not Apple :(

[ucfgrad93]

Come on now, we all but know apple is holding out on the retina mini until next year.

I don't know any such thing. Just because you read it on the internet doesn't make it true.

 

[gotluck]

I don't know any such thing. Just because you read it on the internet doesn't make it true.

I hope you're right, but I'd wager against it!

 

[AppleRobert]

Tired of waiting for a Retina equipped iPad mini to replace my low resolution original, I took advantage of Google's successful launch and immediate availability of the new Nexus 7.2.

It's an impressive model with a high resolution display that's within four or five pixels of matching Apple's much hyped Retina display. An even more impressive fact is the retail price, which was a full $100_less_ than I paid for my iPad mini.

That said, as a long time Apple customer and enthusiast, I agree with the OP. It's a shame that Apple could not do what Google could and did. I'm finding Android 4.3.x a fast and fun OS. Along with its gesture based keyboard, the speed and efficiency of the Nexus 7.2 is nothing short of pure brilliance.

As one who remains very happy with my new MacBook Pro and MacBook Air laptops, I'm sitting back and watching to see just how long it will take Apple to catch up to Google.

Noting my date of participation on this forum, that is the FIRST time I even thought about an ipad and it took the Mini to turn me onto the OS. I was strictly Android until that time.

The price of the larger iPads and the size turned me off. I bought the Mini, decided to try the larger ipad just in case and then settled for the Mini with cellular. I can honestly say now I don't care what Apple comes up with next, I got a bargain on what I bought and so long.

 

[SlCKB0Y]

My God. Android does NOT have retina. Screens do, which are made by other companies, NOT Google. And use the excuse that Google released a "retina" small tablet is moronic too. First, Google didn't make it, Asus did. And Apple had a retina tablet before Google did, right?

Lol. Apple didn't make their screen or their device either.

 

[MacManTexas56]

Well at least part of the point was missed.

1st off I'm using Android as generic, simply dumping devices into a bin that either says Apple or Android, because that's all I care about is the specs and OS. I couldn't care less who makes them or where they are made, I see them a throw away after a year or to anyways.

I actually don't want to buy the Android unit, I'm an Apple dev and want a better mini to test apps on.

The truth vs the public perception: The truth is that 1 million apps is just plain silly. They should have shut up about this a long time ago. But, the public (not the smartest people) just thinks numbers... that's it.

I know all these points are silly, but that's what people see.

The timing is actually puts me in a spot. I must buy a new device to test iOS7, nothing I own will run it.

If I buy an iPad now, they'll have a new one in months. If I buy a mini now, they'll have a new one pretty soon.

This kinda happened last time I bought a device, I bought the latest one and Apple wouldn't allow dictation on it when it came out. So I would be forced to buy another device, then another later to run iOS7. That could add up to a bit of money just to test apps.

My other choice is to wait and not take advantage of iOS7, until what might be near the end of it's run. Which at that time, might mean buying yet another device.

I see Apple not offering non-retina devices after a while. People now expect the retina level display and the price points are clearly dropping.

The point is that the timing of the iOS7 and the device choices aren't lined up well.

It'll all work out in the end, I'm kinda getting used to having to wait for things to be lined up, but it does get expensive for something that's pretty short lived.

Maybe Apple will feel the pressure once the holidays come up and they see these Android devices flying off the shelves.

Hmmm an apple developer without apple devices to test on??

 

[1458279]

Why is it sad? Get the device that best fits your needs.

Although, I would like to know how you know the iPad mini won't be updated until next year.

Actually I don't know when the iPad Mini will be upgrade to Retina and whatever other upgrades, that's just the current mainstream guess.

This device could actually make Apple hurry up, because they don't want to give up market share. I really hope this is that case.

Why sad? I'm an Apple Dev, not a Droid dev. I don't want to become a Droid dev right now, later, yes, just not now.

I need an iOS7 compatible device REAL soon if I want to stay on top of things in iOS.

I don't own an iOS7 compatible device.

I'd like to get a mini sized device. I don't want a non-retina mini.

That's hundreds of $$ for something I don't want to buy.

I'm also not big on Apple charging as much as they do for stuff like memory. They charge $100 for more ram, others charge $40 for the same thing.

Apple will NEVER gain market share in China with these prices.

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Tired of waiting for a Retina equipped iPad mini to replace my low resolution original, I took advantage of Google's successful launch and immediate availability of the new Nexus 7.2.

It's an impressive model with a high resolution display that's within four or five pixels of matching Apple's much hyped Retina display. An even more impressive fact is the retail price, which was a full $100_less_ than I paid for my iPad mini.

That said, as a long time Apple customer and enthusiast, I agree with the OP. It's a shame that Apple could not do what Google could and did. I'm finding Android 4.3.x a fast and fun OS. Along with its gesture based keyboard, the speed and efficiency of the Nexus 7.2 is nothing short of pure brilliance.

As one who remains very happy with my new MacBook Pro and MacBook Air laptops, I'm sitting back and watching to see just how long it will take Apple to catch up to Google.

Amen! Not to mention that $100 difference was last year's $100, with prices going down about every year or so that even more.

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I don't understand. Who is forcing you to buy a tablet now?? Your post makes it sound like someone is putting a gun to your head.

I'm watching the WWDC 2013 and I have to purchase a new device to run iOS7.

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Hmmm an apple developer without apple devices to test on??

Actually I have 2 test devices now, problem is I just found out they are not iOS7 compatible. I knew I was up for a new device pretty soon, but, the mini is the right size for me, but size is the only thing it offers.

I saw the mini as a pass last year, now it's almost out to pasture and I want one even less, knowing it even closer to being out dated.

 

[1458279]

Several points here not directly related to the original point(s).

1. Apple has almost NO share in China and with cheaper devices, they have an up hill climb gaining any share there.

2. Most in the US that want a device, already have a device. So the sales in the US will slow unless there is a substantial reason to upgrade.

3. Apple's mini sales do compete with full size iPad sales. Apple has brand loyalty like few others. An iPad Mini Retina will eat more iPad Full sales.

4. Their price points are generally ok at the start. Meaning (prices start at $XXX) but their upgrades for more ram are 2.5X others.

The point here is that Apple is in a hard spot. They owned the tablet market. People bought TONS of them. Others are on the hunt and the US market is Apples strongest. How many iPads are sold in China or India?

They need to cut the profit from the devices to the content. $100 for 16G ram? really? others charge $40 for that.

They best wake up.