Youtuber MKBHD hypothesizes what people are going to do with the 2021 iPad Mini. See 4:19 into video.
What are your primary use cases?
What are your primary use cases?
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iPad mini What's your primary use case for the iPad Mini?
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My Mini 5 serves as my go-to digital notebook, planner, journal. Since it is as capable as any other device running iPadOS, I use it for the same tasks as I used my 12.9 Pro for.
HobeSoundDarryl
macrumors G5
Tablet and "phone" (with buds) in ONE device instead of two+ devices. For me, this works great at covering BOTH bases. I run a business and the combination of Mac desktop, laptop and this one kind of mobile device "does it all" as far as I'm concerned. Cellular version with a relatively dirt-cheap, data-only plan gives me full phone connection whether in a wifi zone or not. This "phone" rings and displays text notifications. I can take and make calls from it... send and receive texts. Nobody on the other end can tell that I'm NOT using a true phone.
I don't have Watch or CarPlay (they need iPhone for fullest functionality), though Mini works great with the stock car system for calls, music, maps and navigation via bluetooth connection. For watch, I use apps on Mini for app functionality and wear an "old fashioned" watch. 😱 Round face. 😱 No digital touch screen at all. 😱😱
Mini fits nicely in suit & jacket pockets, in the laptop bag or in hand (like carrying a paperback book) or tucked under an arm when not suited.
For my purposes, I don't feel like I'm missing much (though covet the better iPhone cameras and will NOW miss the 3.5mm jack INSIDE instead of the first of what will probably be many dongles ☹️ ).
Mini 2 lasted in this dual use for this many years (actually still going strong but now outside of iOS updates). I expect the new 6 to last for 4-6 more years before replacing it with Mini 10 or perhaps iPhone Fold 2 or 3.
Obviously, this use is not for everyone... but OP asked and there's my answer.
I don't have Watch or CarPlay (they need iPhone for fullest functionality), though Mini works great with the stock car system for calls, music, maps and navigation via bluetooth connection. For watch, I use apps on Mini for app functionality and wear an "old fashioned" watch. 😱 Round face. 😱 No digital touch screen at all. 😱😱
Mini fits nicely in suit & jacket pockets, in the laptop bag or in hand (like carrying a paperback book) or tucked under an arm when not suited.
For my purposes, I don't feel like I'm missing much (though covet the better iPhone cameras and will NOW miss the 3.5mm jack INSIDE instead of the first of what will probably be many dongles ☹️ ).
Mini 2 lasted in this dual use for this many years (actually still going strong but now outside of iOS updates). I expect the new 6 to last for 4-6 more years before replacing it with Mini 10 or perhaps iPhone Fold 2 or 3.
Obviously, this use is not for everyone... but OP asked and there's my answer.
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5G capable, TouchID alternative to the 2021 Pro 11.
Right now, I've got the 5G SIM on a 2021 Pro 12.9 but that's way too heavy to lug around constantly. Was considering getting the Pro 11 but the mini 6 is a better fit for now. Will see how I like it. Wasn't really fond of the size before.
Right now, I've got the 5G SIM on a 2021 Pro 12.9 but that's way too heavy to lug around constantly. Was considering getting the Pro 11 but the mini 6 is a better fit for now. Will see how I like it. Wasn't really fond of the size before.
Wow, THAT is going to be a massive upgrade!
Why do perverts always post vulgar things in threads that have no bearing on their perversion?
Just curious, but what do you use to take and make calls (and texts to actual numbers)?
I KNOW. 😂 I'm also going from 16GB to 256GB, which is going to be like night and day.
I use it for media consumption, web browsing, social media, online shopping, reading news and magazines. I have a bigger iPad and a MacBook but my main attraction to the iPad mini is it’s size. It’s easy to carry around. I can take it and use it in places where I wouldn’t even bother to take MacBook or iPad Pro.
Will use mine for reading and consumption. I will also use this for note taking and art on the go. I have a 12.9. It’s perfect for heavy art and design, but not so great for portability. I’m also interested in using it as a mini hub for my SD card while taking pictures.
HobeSoundDarryl
macrumors G5
Like so many other things, there's an app for that. Actually there are MANY apps for that. To make an iPad (or even iPod Touch) into a phone, use a VOIP app. With VOIP, any devices with speakers & microphone can become a phone- even Macs.
My main VOIP app is the free Google Voice app. It "rings" iPad Mini when I get calls, makes calls to others, receives texts to the number, provides notifications of texts and facilitates texts to non-Apple people. Via bluetooth it connects to the stock system that came with my car and I can make and receive calls through the car. For texting Apple people, I use Messages. And yes, I can use FaceTime too.
I basically put both Messages and Google Voice in the iPad Dock and then use whichever one best fits the situation. The little red notification badges show which has unseen texts or voice mail, etc. if I don't hear the alert sounds.
The phone "app" in iPhone is, essentially, Apple's own VOIP app. If that was available for iPads and Touch, it would likely "just work" and very much transform these other devices into additional iPhones. Touch has the disadvantage of no cellular modem, so it would only work in wifi zones. But iPads have the cellular (option) and thus work everywhere iPhones can work: wifi or cellular. Big difference: iPad cellular plans are dirt cheap compared to iPhone cellular plans, really adding up over time.
Anyone with strong anti-Google motivations can choose from many other VOIP apps. Others I've used are (free) Comcast Voice (when I had their landline service) and the terrific Talkatone. There's also some cheap ones that have an app fee and offer some added features.
Google Voice service is free calls within North America and cheap rates for other countries. However, for the latter, I simply use FaceTime, Skype, Zoom or similar for "free" communications that way.
Now, there ARE compromises with this. Even Mini is not as pocketable. iPhone cameras are superior. Select Watch & CarPlay features need a tech marriage to (only) iPhone. 911 service isn't as well implemented this way (but I simply have emergency services on speed dial). Select situations require a workaround (like certain text authentication processes won't see your GV number as a real cell number... but then I simply use Talkatone for those situations which works every time).
However, it also means ONE device to carry instead of 2+... much lower total cost of ownership... fewer hardware upgrade cycles because iPads tend to "keep up" longer than iPhones... bigger screen benefits with all usage... etc.
To illustrate the hardware value, the new 6 arriving today replaces the Mini 2 which I've ridden this way for about 6+ years. The 2 still works fine but is beginning to get a bit behind on iOS upgrades and some key apps really want the latest iOS upgrades. So I expect this new 6 to be my "phone"+tablet for the next 4-6 years. There's some real savings there vs. the compulsion to buy a new phone every 1-2 years, often also buying a tablet(s) for select uses.
Is this for everyone? Of course not. Nothing is for everyone. But it works amazingly well for me. And one elusive "use case" for some kind of future iPhone Fold device is basically this very use. If I could fold this 6 to slip into any pocket without losing the much greater screen real estate when I use it, it would be a terrific bonus.
Want to try it yourself? Download a voip app to whatever you have now and use it for some experiments. Google Voice, Talkatone, etc will give you a free phone number. Set up the number and text your existing number. Reply back with a text so you can see how texting works both ways. Have someone call the new number to see your device recieve a call. Call someone with your VOIP app. It will all "just work" much like choosing an app to make an iDevice into a flashlight, or a web browser, or a music player or a TV remote.
VOIP is simply another type of service packaged in various apps. Trying one is the easiest way to get a feel for how this works on whatever iDevice you already have.
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What, the porn comment? Adult entertainment is actually a perfectly normal thing to indulge in. It’s not like they described it in graphic detail.
I write and direct film and tv. TONS of pdf script marking and notes. New drafts means a lot of paper and a lot of time transferring the handwritten notes to the new drafts. I am currently using an 11" iPad Pro to go paperless, but it always feels just a bit too large when I am working on set. The mini will hopefully alleviate that and allow me to keep it in my back pocket or jacket pocket at all times (as opposed to on a cumbersome shoulder strap with the pro). My only concern is that the mini screen will make the scripts illegible, or that it will feel cramped when I am marking up my notes. I am excited to try it out and see. When not on set, I think the mini will be the perfect digital notebook for meetings and pitches around town.
I suggest you also read the discussion on what apps people try first as that answers your questions to a degree. Personally, I’d focus on note taking and reading apps.
Tablet and "phone" (with buds) in ONE device instead of two+ devices. For me, this works great at covering BOTH bases. I run a business and the combination of Mac desktop, laptop and this one kind of mobile device "does it all" as far as I'm concerned. Cellular version with a relatively dirt-cheap, data-only plan gives me full phone connection whether in a wifi zone or not. This "phone" rings and displays text notifications. I can take and make calls from it... send and receive texts. Nobody on the other end can tell that I'm NOT using a true phone.
I don't have Watch or CarPlay (they need iPhone for fullest functionality), though Mini works great with the stock car system for calls, music, maps and navigation via bluetooth connection. For watch, I use apps on Mini for app functionality and wear an "old fashioned" watch.Round face.
Mini fits nicely in suit & jacket pockets, in the laptop bag or in hand (like carrying a paperback book) or tucked under an arm when not suited.
For my purposes, I don't feel like I'm missing much (though covet the better iPhone cameras and will NOW miss the 3.5mm jack INSIDE instead of the first of what will probably be many dongles).
Mini 2 lasted in this dual use for this many years (actually still going strong but now outside of iOS updates). I expect the new 6 to last for 4-6 more years before replacing it with Mini 10 or perhaps iPhone Fold 2 or 3.
Obviously, this use is not for everyone... but OP asked and there's my answer.
Round face. 
).What do you use to make outgoing calls to landlines? Any recommendations?
Why use name calling in return just because your views differ?
Buy both, test them and return the one you like less. If that for some reason isn’t an option, I’d personally focus on the screen size that seems the most suitable for your intended use case.