7-inch iPad tattle churns through Taiwanese rumor mills
By Thomas Ricker 
posted August 17th 2010 7:04AM
posted August 17th 2010 7:04AM
The 7-inch iPad rumors are suddenly hot and heavy. In the last few weeks, we've seen a series of reports claiming that Apple was working on a smaller iPad (or bigger iPod touch?) set for release between the end of 2010 or early 2011. A DigiTimes piece, sourcing its own "analyst," claimed that the device would be making a jump to the Cortex A9 processor core, 512MB of RAM like the iPhone 4, and a 1,024 x 768 pixel IPS panel -- the same resolution as the 9.7-inch iPad giving the new model a better pixel density. Now we've got Taiwan's Economic Daily News saying that Chi Mei will join LG in supplying the new 7-inch IPS panels with AUO joining Sintek to provide the digitizer. EDN also claims that either Compal or Pegatron may join Foxconn in the assembly. Remember, even with hints of a new iPad model in Apple's own code this is all just rumor for now. Besides, we're still waiting for those Xbox 360 Blu-ray drives that the Economic Daily News assured us were coming in Q3 of 2008.
@Someguyperson yeah, i caught that too. it kinda had me confused. i guess they were talking about the ram and not the a9/a8. in that case they shouldve seperated the statement into different sentences.
I doubt this is real. If it was it'd be tantamount to admitting they made the iPad the wrong size first time around. Still, it's nice to have choice.
I don't see this happening either, Apple has always (well, since Steve came back) had a very few number of products and I think this would cannibalize sales of the the more expensive iPad.
Hmm, I know it'll never happen but putting a data only SIM in an existing iPod touch (a slightly larger screen would be welcome ) would be an immediate purchase for me.
I need to separate gadgets, a great phone for calls and SMS only (E52 my choice) and a data-only connected iPod Touch or yet-to-be announced Android equivalent for Emails, Web, photo's, videos and GPS duties, up to 5" max. Convergence devices are great but with current demands on power consumption and the stagnant battery development - they are becoming increasingly impractical unless you go everywhere with chargers and / or extra batteries.
I don't make a lot of calls, but when I do they are important & I always find my phone's battery almost dead from using the phone all day as a media player, sat-nav, email and web browsing. And I carry a spare battery most days. Also the primary function of a phone is to make calls and i'm finding that the software on more and more smart phones is getting incredibly buggy, they are way less dependable than they used to be. The HD2 I have spends most of it time being rebooted to sort some software mess out.
@Rod
Amen. I would be the first one to pre-order, hah. Archos and Dell would give up all hope at that point. Don't get me wrong, I think it'd be nice to see them compete and I hear that the 8th gen Archos device are coming but a 5 inches iPod Touch (and with SIM?) would just be terrific.
While I dig the iPad, I think it's too big and I found my MBP much more convenient. Personally I would love 5 inches. Sure, at this point they could just call it the new iPod Touch (lol, poor Dell)... whatever. I find the iPod touch too small, iPad too big. If anything, I'd give 7 inches a go.
Ugh I sound like someone who's unhappy with his p...portable device.
@nbedros
I'm in the same boat. It size and weight of the iPad just aren't convenient for reading. I find myself propping my iPad on my leg while contorting my body in strange positions. I never had this problem with my kindle. I really hope Apple sells an iPad that has the Kindle's weight and dimensions.
What? Psshh... So this is the novel sized book reader? *sigh.......
Guys.. .Simplify.. Simplify...
Remember when you only made 4 different kinds of Macs?
The magic of variable size. They should start making TV sets anyday now
If people don't understand Jobs' reasoning to flood the market with a ton of IOS devices in all shapes, sizes and configurations and squash as many competitors trying to enter their head start of 12 months, then you've all got something major to learn.
He did exactly that with ipod.
Now it's time for a convergence.
a 7" ipad with an almost retina-like screen, that's the same resolution as it's big brother, back and front facing cams, improved processor and double the RAM which can be held for long periods with only one hand and only half the weight !
SOLD !!! ~
but....but..... i just got my ipad:(
oh yeah . . . and it comes in WHITE !! !!
(with the new squared, iphone 4 style)
DOUBLE RAINBOW SOLD !!! ~
I think they should call the new one the iPad Mini. Then, of course, the original iPad becomes the iPad Maxi.
MiniPad
MaxiPad
If this were true, mounted in dash. Done deal.
Maybe the 7" iPad could be custom fitted as a car in-dash iPad?!! Hook it up with a MiFi or iSpot and "it would be the best in car experience today."
I don't see why people are down on the 7" idea? I don't want an iPad because it's too big for my liking. 5" is IMHO too small for comfortable e-reading. I want a 7" device with a high-res screen for mostly reading but a bit of casual surfing and maybe a few games. Android would be my preference but if Apple makes the right device, hell, I'll pay the Jobs tax. And no, I don't intend to put it in my pocket.
Id buy it, ohh id definitely buy it!
I have an iPad.
If this were to be released with iPhone 4 aesthetics and with absolutly no bezel then it would almost warrant another purchase for me.
VERY NICE, NOW HOW ABOUT RESOLVING MY LAGGY 3G FIRST
If this is true the big iPad is going to need a refresh much earlier than next April. Hell it already started feeling last gen when the iPhone 4 was revealed this just further punches that nail in the coffin.
That said if this 7" does come out with the same iPad resolution and is cheaper than the iPad then you can count me in. Though I've been waiting for the 10" Eee Pad I just don't want to wait till next March (if Asus even ships it then).
@Wubby
I own both an iphone 4 and 64 GB 3G iPad. The iphone 4 is just a way better device in every respect. The larger screen size is the only real positive aspect of the ipad over the iphone. It is great for browsing the web and watching online videos. But the iphone is simply smoother and more elegant in every respect.
Another small advantage of the iPad is that the GPS works even when there is no 3G or wi-fi signal.
hey apple, make a 4.3" iphone
7" is not a size I care about. Too big to fit in a pocket. Too small to hold a decent sized page.
@Snowdog
Ditto. I don't get this flood of 7" devices. Seems like they're stuck in the middle not doing anything well.
@Vidikron
I don't have a tablet but for me either it is either for on the Go and I would want around 5" like the Dell Streak or it is for the home and I would prefer even bigger than 10".
I would like 11" 1200x800. I think 3:2 aspect is the best compromise aspect ratio (exactly the same as SLR cameras, very close to A4 paper).
That would be great for reading PDFs/Comics full page which is something I would want in a home tablet.
I have no problems carrying around the 9.7 inch iPad to all my meetings and activities during the day. When I don't have access to an iPad I use my iPhone. The Apple case is grippy and easy to simply tuck under your arm. The iPad essentially replaced my meeting notebook, laptop presentations and to write longer emails. Wifi file transfer makes it a breeze to transfer any file from any computer on my network onto the iPad.
So, if you already own an iPhone then the 9.7 inch iPad could still be the better option. A 7 inch iPad is more likely an ipod touch upgrade, especially if you want a larger screen for gaming and perhaps to use as an in car GPS navigation device. A 7 inch screen would make it about as large as a Kindle or one of the Sony ebook readers.
If they end up being priced in the $250 and $399 range (depending on memory and 3G configurations), they could be big sellers this Christmas.
@jaffreywali
Do you also use your iBrain so stevo can tell you what to think and buy next ?
^_^
Why does Apple do this to me every time. My kids will love this gadget as they already prefer the Ipod touch over their Nintendo, because of the superior touchscreen.
7" is my size...
@techtroll
Warning: Objects in mirror may appear to be larger than usual...
Sorry had to. Just couldnt help it, lol....
I think what's going on here is that the iPhone 4 screen is making the iPad screen look a bit old. I loved the iPad screen when it first came out. But after comparing it to the Retina Display and even phones like Droid X, the iPad screen looks too pixelated. It actually dissuaded me from buying one until the next generation. If they can't increase resolution on the current sized model without significantly increasing the price, smaller may be a good option.
@Alcibiades That problem applies to all the 10-13" netbook and notebooks. The IP4 pretty much screwed it up for everyone so now everyone has this expectations of higher res. E.G. 5" screens w/ 720p display.
....still cannot do flash...
PS: html5 is no substitute for lacking flash capability. Not in this world and not within the next few years. And when (or even *if*) html5 hits big time everybody will raise their hands to the heavens and scream because that crap cannot be blocked as easy as flash ads...
I was dreaming for this day to come.
7" iPad will nicely replace my double din head unit
I think it will happen , the 2nd get will be much better and more iphone4 like
ipod touch is on its way out, there will be 4 ipads now 3.5, 5, 7 and the 9"
This interests me more than the new iPod Touch now. I'd love to have a larger screen with better resolution than the iPad. The only downside is that they probably won't include a camera, but I'll opt for this if it's only $100-150 more than an iPod Touch.
I said it from the start that it was too big for what people really wanted. Dell had it right.
Based off of the pricing for touches and ipads, if this thing doesn't come with a camera and priced around $200 I don't see this thing selling out like other idevices.
http://cache.gawker.com/assets/images/comment/4/2010/08/895ae0e5281bd1dd2dc7f2d2b4585254/original.jpg
I could have believed it, but the idea of a 7" iPad Mini/Super iPod Touch with a Cortex-A9 processor that's more powerful than every other iOS device Apple sells is just ridiculous. There's no way that's gonna happen. I honestly believe the first iOS device with a Cortex-A9 is gonna be the 2nd Gen iPad, if not the 5th Gen iPhone.
This is what is coming to Verizon Q1 2011, not the iphone.
7 inch iPad rumored:
http://www.mobileforum.com/Apple/7-inch-iPad-rumored.html#2254
They need to release a 5 inch iphone too. Yes apple, people want bigger phones, and no, they do not want them tied to one network.