iPad 2 will be 7" only, according to MSN

[Googlyhead]

Why is someone quoting msn? May as well be theRegister or letsmakeupsomeotherfictionalstories.com.

If you want a small device; there's the touch. If you want a larger but slightly less portable; there's the iPad.

But no. Some people won't be happy until there's a 3" 4" 5" 6" 7" 8" 9" 10" ... 28" range to choose from, not forgetting the widescreen variants, and the antiglare options.

Let's face it; a computing device isn't like a cheap tv, where you pick your size and the picture is scaled to fill it. It's an interactive interface, and designing / supporting so many multiple different sizes is just pointless.

 

[KameronBriggs]

How would anyone else KNOW what Apple has in store for the future?
If I was a famous blogger, I could post it on my blog and have anyone read it.
Just like that person did.

 

[blackNBUK]

Sure seems to be a bunch of negative haters on this thread.. rather amusing. A smaller iPad would be a nice compliment to the Apple product line. Funny how many seem to get so emotionally distraught.

I'm not objecting to the addition of a 7" to the iPad line. What seems bizarre is the suggestion in recent reports that it would be a replacement for the current version.

 

[ccsicecoke]

According to the source, current iPad and iPod touch 4 will be merged into new iPad 2, plus a new 7 inch model. Thus complete iPad 2 product line includes both 10 inch, 7 inch, and finally 3.5 inch

 

[Don Kosak]

Part of the success of the iPad, for me at least, is that I can fit eight fingers across it comfortably and type. (in Landscape mode)

Rotate it to portrait, and it becomes basically a read-only device for anyone with adult sized hands.

That's why you won't see the same level of productivity apps on the Samsung 7" tablet. It's just too small.

By the way, I only use MacRumors on my iPad, and all of my many rambling comments since the iPad came out have been typed on the glass screen. I actually find typing on it easier than on a regular keyboard.

I suspect there will be some experimentation in size for all of the major upcoming slate-form-factor players. The one constant though, will be the size of the human hand. I don't want a full featured slate (like the iPad) that requires me to type with my thumbs.

 

[phyrexia]

Part of the success of the iPad, for me at least, is that I can fit eight fingers across it comfortably and type. (in Landscape mode)

Rotate it to portrait, and it becomes basically a read-only device for anyone with adult sized hands.

That's why you won't see the same level of productivity apps on the Samsung 7" tablet. It's just too small.

From all the pictures I've seen, the Galaxy Tab is as wide as the iPad, but not as tall. So the diagonal measurement is 7".

 

[Don Kosak]

From all the pictures I've seen, the Galaxy Tab is as wide as the iPad, but not as tall. So the diagonal measurement is 7".

Yeah. I'm waiting to see one in person. I probably won't buy one until Google gets Android 3 out with better "slate" support, but I have a feeling that may just be a software update anyway.

I'd really like someone to come close to an iPad killer, just to keep Apple pushing the limits each release cycle. I think the iPhone 4 is as awesome as it is, because some of the Android phones were closing in on the 3GS.

 

[phyrexia]

Here is a picture of the two, Don.

Frankly, when I bought the iPad I thought I would sell it as soon as a good Android tablet is released, but I am turned off by the aspect ratio of the Galaxy Tab (not to mention the contract one will likely need to sign). I still think Android will make a good tablet OS. The filesystem on this iPad really kills me more than anything else. Jailbreaking helped a lot, to me. Made the device much more useful at work. 4.2 may fix the need to JB.

 

[OSMac]

Downsize to save laptop sales?

 

[SteveKnobs]

Downsize to save laptop sales?

Nope. Laptop sales are still kickin' strong dude. Two different products; two different markets.

 

[DeepIn2U]

From all the pictures I've seen, the Galaxy Tab is as wide as the iPad, but not as tall. So the diagonal measurement is 7".

I don't the smaller handed average user can hold the ipad in any of their hands, including upside down before sliding into a bag without risking dropping the iPad's 9.7" display.

The bonus for Apple keeping the size to 9.7 - more real estate for apps; continued compatibility, readability with much higher resolution next time around and with improved batteries next year - means MORE Juice going portable!!

 

[jonsuh]

That article states the following:

The iPad 2 is being made by Pegatron, the Taiwan contract manufacturer that is also assembling Apple's CDMA iPhone, which is expected to appear at Verizon (VZ) early next year, Kumar says.

Hmmm, didn't Apple just announce that the iPhone was going to be released in China in September 25? The reason Apple ordered those millions of CDMA chips since the Chinese iPhones are WCDMA?

Uhhh.... apparently someone's been out of the loop...? Or put together that article while he was on the can.

If a Verizon iPhone is going to happen, it will be on Verizon's 4G LTE network.

 

[Ciclismo]

I don't the smaller handed average user can hold the ipad in any of their hands, including upside down before sliding into a bag without risking dropping the iPad's 9.7" display.

One must have tiny hand for that to be an issue - my fiancé has medium size hands (well, that's the size she wears when it cones to women's gloves) as she has no problems. And one of her friends who has tiny hands had no issue either. I'm not saying that there won't be people who have problems, but you can't cater for everybody all of the time.

 

[colmaclean]

If a 7" had the same resolution as the 10", wouldn't apps need to be redesigned so that the interface would be big enough for the average finger? Unless it comes with a stylus...

 

[hexhead]

Unless it comes with a stylus...

Yeah, that's the ticket. HAHAHAHAHAHA

 

[Glideslope]

http://articles.moneycentral.msn.com/Investing/top-stocks/blog.aspx?post=1806219&_blg=1,1806219

There will be a 7" with F&R Cameras. Same cameras in the Touch.

There will still be a 10" with just a (F) facing camera. Same as the iPhone 4. It will be much thinner however.

 

[Glideslope]

If a Verizon iPhone is going to happen, it will be on Verizon's 4G LTE network.

Wait till the end of Nov Announcement. Shipping 1st Q

 

[dstrauss]

Ok - the only REAL question is: Will it be called "iPad Nano" or simply "Mini-Me?"

 

[b.c.]

So people are choosing to believe what some analyst said on the Microsoft Network blog? Seriously, does no one check to ensure the trustworthiness of a news source anymore?

if the OP had checked, he'd have found the particular "analyst" that was source of the MSN article to be particularly untrustworthy (or at least, spectacularly bad at guessing). amusing how such stuff gets so widely reported and repeated as anything other than a wild guess

http://daringfireball.net/2010/09/kumar_track_record
"Betting on a 7-inch iPad based on a Kumar “research note” is pretty much like betting on the time of day based on a stopped clock."