What happened to the iPod product category? iPod sales were cannibalized first by the iPod touch and then iPhone slowly cannibalized sales of the iPod touch. Apple has never been afraid of cannibalising the sales of its existing products. Apple’s late CEO Steve Jobs famously said, “If you don’t cannibalize yourself, someone else will.”

Is iPad facing the same fate as of the iPod? Will the iPad soon not be a major source of revenue for Apple? To understand these aspects let’s get into the details.

From iPad Air to iPad Air 2 – Not a major product update

If we look at the current trend of iPad sales we see some interesting figures; in Q1 2014 Apple sold 26 million tablets compare that to Q1 2015 the company sold 21.4 million. In 2013 Apple launched the new iPad Air and in 2014 the company launched iPad Air 2. Apple sold more iPad Air’s than iPad Air 2 during their respective holiday quarters.

One of the most obvious reasons that explains the fall in sales figures for iPad Air 2 could be due to the new tablet not being a major update when compared to its predecessor. iPad Air was a radical redesign and added many enhancements however, the iPad Air 2 received a modest update with improvements being camera, barometer, new processor with motion co-processor, and Touch-ID. These updates were certainly not enough for users who already own an iPad Air to upgrade.

Was iPad just a fad? Before we jump onto any conclusions we need to delve further into the tablet category.

Different Upgrade Cycles

Unlike iPhones customers are not looking to upgrade their tablets every two-years. Our smartphones have to endure much more rigorous use each day compared to the tablets. So even if you still own an iPad that was introduced in 2012 it may still be working just fine. I have an iPad 2, Retina Display MacBook Pro and iPhone 5. Even though the second-gen iPad now lags in performance after iOS 8 update I still don’t see the need to upgrade. One possible reason could also be that after purchasing the latest MacBook Pro I have increasingly felt lesser need to work on my iPad.

Users’ tablet upgrade cycle will largely depend on what you use the tablet for. If it’s just for browsing, emails, and watching movies then you’re probably not going to upgrade every two years. If you’re into gaming and love to play games on your iPad then upgrading every two years makes sense as Apple upgrades the tablets with much more capable graphic chips and all AAA game titles are quickly updated to take advantage of new features.

Smartphones have also become an expression of showing off the latest gadget you bought as one obviously tends to use it more often no matter where you are. Tablets would probably never reach that level of attention. You don’t upgrade your MacBook Air or MacBook Pro every year just because a new model was made available.

If we look at iPhone’s upgrade cycle where the company introduces major improvements every two years and follows up with minor improvements the following year it still continues to outperform previous years sales figures. iPad category certainly won’t give the same results. There’s still a lot of scope for the tablet however, its adoption into new markets and industries is dependent on factors other than just faster processor and better camera.

More choice

Another reason attributing to the decline in sales could be the introduction of large screen iPhones. Users who would previously carry an iPad mini and an iPhone can now carry just an iPhone 6 Plus. Apple has been always accused of not offering much choice to its customers however, now its a different story.

There’s a 7.9 inch iPad mini, 9.7 inch iPad, 4 inch iPhone 5S, 4.7 inch iPhone 6, and 5.5 inch iPhone 6 Plus. So, even though iPad sales in particular may have been affected, it could potentially be getting converted into iPhone sales.

With the new range of choices now available to customers it may take a couple of years for the sales figures to stabilise and adjust as customers make their choice for their preferred device for various computing purposes.

Content

iPhone had a three years lead on the iPad. When the iPad was first introduced it was not until the iPad 2 that we started seeing a large number of companies creating apps for their employees. iPad’s growth depends a lot on the ecosystem of apps other than games and productivity category. As web developers, companies, educational institutions develop more and more content optimised for the tablet we will witness continuous rise in tablet sales. Apple made a great move to tackle this issue by partnering with IBM to create enterprise ready apps.

So, should Apple be worried about the state of the iPad? No!  Apple should not be worried about lower iPad sales as it leads in market share and competitors aren’t making much progress in differentiating their products from the iPad. Microsoft is offering desktop computer experience on a tablet however, it doesn’t appear to be working favourably for the company. So, clearly if someone needs a tablet they are still looking at Apple.

The tablet market exploded after the introduction of the iPad. Apple’s competitors are waiting on Apple to take the next leap so that they can copy it.

As long as Apple continues to make improvements and make more capable tablets each year, this category is here to stay.

Photos Credit: Ben Miller, Lap Fung Chan

Here are 5 interesting facts to note from Apple’s earnings call.

1. Apple beat every company in the world with the highest quarterly net profit.

Apple’s Q1 2015 net profit was more than any other company in the world. In the top 20 list of highest quarterly net profit Apple is the only consumer electronics company to be featured on the list, others are Oil & Gas companies. Apple is featured 5 times on the same list.

2. Apple made a net profit of $8.3 million every hour this quarter.

When you were happy that you got a good 7 hour sleep on a certain day, Apple earned about $58.1 million in the same amount of time. That’s not bad for a company whose entire product lineup could fit on top of your dinning table.

3. The billionth iOS device Apple sold was a Space Gray 64GB iPhone 6 Plus.

During its earnings call Apple’s CEO Tim Cook announced that on November 22nd the company shipped their 1 billionth iOS device. Apple has saved the billionth iOS device at the Apple HQ in Cupertino.

4. Apple Pay makes up more than $2 out of $3 spent on purchase using contactless payment in the U.S.

Within three months after launch of Apple Pay, the service now supports about 750 banks and credit unions. According to Apple WholeFoods saw a 400% increase in mobile payment since the introduction of Apple Pay.

5. iPad sales slumped this quarter.

While all major product categories grew in revenue and units sold, Apple’s iPad sales figures were lower than expected. In Q1 2015 Apple sold 21.4 million devices compared to 26 in the year ago quarter. Apple introduced the all-new iPad Air 2 and iPad mini however, this did not help Apple is posting record sales for the tablet.

The live streaming of the launch event will be available on Apple’s website and Apple TV. The live stream didn’t go so well during the iPhone event however, we hope that this time the company is well prepared to handle it.

Media invites were sent out by Apple last week which carried a tag line “It’s been way too long.” While it obviously doesn’t give much hint as to what the company will be unveiling, but it’s quite evident that the iPad lineup will be refreshed for the holiday season. Some are speculating that “been way too long” could be referring to iMacs finally getting Retina Display technology. Apple’s entire product lineup features the high resolution displays except the desktop computer.

We can expect an update on OS X Yosemite release date and it could be made available later this week. We can’t rule out that Apple TV could also be refreshed today. It’s been quite a long while since it has seen any major update.

iPad Air 2 could finally get TouchID making it easier for users to access secure information with the touch of their finger. NFC could also be included to facilitate ApplePay functionality.

A new processor, A8X will bring improved CPU and GPU performance and RAM could be bumped to 2 GB. It is unclear if the new processor will offer improved battery performance on the new iPad Air 2.

It may be hard to believe, but a lot of users do use tablets to take pictures and videos. The new iPad Air 2 is rumoured to feature 8-megapixel camera. We could also see Retina HD displays as iOS 8.1 code did reveal 3x graphics.

iPad mini 3 just like iPad 2 Air is rumoured to feature A8X processor, TouchID, and improved cameras.

What are your expectations from the event? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.

The smaller 7.9 inch tablet from Apple, iPad mini with retina display went on sale at Apple’s retail stores on Tuesday. Due to tight supply and high demand Apple offered the device exclusively via personal pickup.

This allows customers who purchase the new tablet from Appel’s online store to pick up the device from a retail store of their choice. Sales of iPad mini with retina display are expected to be made available by other means as soon as supply catches up with the demand.

New product launches from Apple often exceed the company’s expectation in terms of demand however for iPad Air launch the models were available for online purchase and for walk-in customers.

iPad mini with Retina display will be available starting today in silver or space gray. iPad mini with Retina display Wi-Fi models will be available for a suggested retail price of $399 (US) for the 16GB model, $499 (US) for the 32GB model, $599 (US) for the 64GB model and $699 (US) for the 128GB model. iPad mini with Retina display Wi-Fi + Cellular models will be available for a suggested retail price of $529 (US) for the 16GB model, $629 (US) for the 32GB model, $729 (US) for the 64GB model and $829 (US) for the 128GB model.

iPad mini with retina display benchmark figures have now been revealed. Benchmark test on GeekBench shows that the dual-core 64-bit A& chip is clocked at 1.29GHz. In comparison, iPhone 5s processor is clocked at 1.30GHz and iPad Air at 1.39GHz.

One of the reasons of clocking processor speed below its full potential is often attributed to thermal considerations due to the form factor. Since iPad Air has a larger hardware footprint the same A7 processor used in all three devices is clocked higher than the other two.

Teardown of the iPad mini with retina display by iFixit reveals that the device is a bit thicker than the previous model – with a difference of 0.3mm. The new tablet features a much larger 24.3WHr battery compared to the 16.3WHr in the previous model. High resolution displays drive more power which explains the use of a larger battery.

The high resolution display measures at 326ppi and Apple continues to use displays from LG and Samsung. A7 chip used in iPad mini with retina display is identical to the one in iPhone 5s as opposed to being the same as the one in iPad Air.

As a result of the new hardware upgrades the new iPad mini will now provide unto 4 times CPU performance, 8 times graphics performance and continues to provide a full 10 hour battery life.

Are you going to purchase the new iPad mini with retina display? Let us know what you think in the comments below.

This years special iPad event ‘finally’ put all rumours and speculations at rest as Apple announced second gen iPad mini with Retina Display.

Apple entered into a new product category with a smaller version of the full size tablet. The purpose of iPad mini was to make the device even more portable. It was aimed at those of us who want to hold the device for long hours to read books, browse the web and want something that fits in a small bag without adding any extra weight. In 2012 when all iOS devices were already supporting high resolution display Apple announced iPad mini with the same resolution as iPad 2 with 1024×768 pixels.

Since its introduction many started speculating that the next gen 7.9 inch tablet will certainly feature retina display. However, some reports and bloggers expressed concerns about battery and weight of the device. John Gruber of Daring Fireball also remained sceptical about iPad mini going retina in 2013 and said, “we demand magic — a retina iPad Mini with no decrease in battery life, but no increase in thickness, weight, or price. And they need to produce at least 20 million of them by Christmas. Something has to give.”

Apple has made iPad mini with retina display a reality this year with the same 10 hour long battery performance. The display features 2048×1536 resolution  which is the same as iPad Air at 326 pixels per inch. With the new retina screen the hardware saw an increase of 0.01 inches in thickness and 23 grams (0.06 pounds) in weight. The fact that the device continues to provide battery for a full days worth of use even with retina certainly makes it worth the negligible thickness and weight.

iPad mini with retina display also features the 64-bit A7 chip and M7 coprocessor introduced in the iPhone 5s. This boost the performance of the new tablet upto 4 times in CPU and upto 8 times in GPU performance.

The 5MP rear camera and 1.2MP FaceTime HD camera remain the same even in the new model. Apple has added support for even more LTE bands in this new device and also delivers twice the Wi-Fi performance than before.

If reading and browsing the web are the primary tasks that you use the iPad mini for, then upgrading to the latest model is certainly worth considering. High resolution screen makes the text crisp without any fuzziness and each pixel in the photos deliver fantastic detail.

Apple will continue to sell the original iPad mini with 16GB storage at $299 for the WiFi and $429 for WiFi + Cellular. iPad mini with retina display will be available in 16GB, 32GB, 64GB and 128GB. The WiFi models start at $399 while cellular version starts at $529 and each model gets $100 expensive for more storage.

Will you be buying the new iPad mini this holiday season? Let us know what you think in the comments below.

Apple’s iPad media event has just gone live. The company will be providing a live video coverage of the new iPad keynote event. The event is being held at the Yerba Buena Center for the Arts in San Francisco.

Apple CEO, Tim Cook, will take the stage to announce new product launches and updates for this year before we enter the holiday season. The email invite sent out to the media suggests that the company will “cover” many product announcements.

Rumors and reports published in the past provide enough evidence to expect new iPad 5 (fifth gen) and second gen iPad mini. We could also get new Haswell MacBook Pro models, final release of Mac OS X Mavericks, new iLife and iWork software updates and more.

iPad 5 is widely expected to feature a thinner and lighter design inspired by the advancements made with iPad mini. Hardware specifications are expected to include new 64-bit A7 chip, improved camera and possibly new Touch ID sensor.

There have been many conflicts reports about a second gen iPad mini with retina display. It is unclear if Apple will introduce the new smaller iPad with a high resolution display.

During WWDC Apple showcased a sneak peek at the new Mac Pro. Apple could use today’s event to announce shipping date for the high end Mac for the professionals.

This year Apple is offering a live video feed of the iPad launch event. Live video stream of the event is available on Apple’s website. In order to view live video streaming of the October iPad event you’d require Safari 4 or later on OS X v10.6 or later, Safari on iOS 4.2 or later. Streaming via Apple TV requires second- or third-generation Apple TV with software 5.0.2 or later.

Apple recently sent out media invites for the new iPad launch event scheduled for October 22nd. The company is busy making preparations for the iPad event decorating the venue with huge posters resembling the invite.

This year Apple is expected to announce new iPad 5 and second gen iPad mini alongwith other product updates. The theme of the fall event is “We still have a lot to cover.” It doesn’t give us much insight into what the company has in store for us however, based on many analysts reports and rumors published in the past we certainly have a fair idea of what to expect.

The company has a history for fine tuning their products to perfect and have a certain penchant for making products thinner and lighter. Fifth gen iPad is widely expected to shed some weight it put on during its third iteration. In addition to losing some weight it will also become smaller with thinner bezel. In the past, when announcing iPhone 5 Apple in its advertisements asked how can a phone become larger yet lighter and thinner.

Second gen iPad mini is rumored to feature retina display. The smaller tablet from Apple has the same resolution as an iPad 2. iPad mini is the only iOS device that doesn’t ship with a high resolution model. Even though many rumors have suggested that we might get a high resolution display some analysts have expressed doubt over cost and product rates.

The fall event is also expected to feature OS X Mavericks, MacBook Pro, Mac Pro and other product updates as well.

{Images via Apple Spotlight and MacRumors}

Apple recently sent out media invites for the iPad keynote event. The event  will be held on October 22nd at 10 AM PT at Yerba Buena Center for the Arts in San Francisco, California.

Last week WSJ leaked the date and now the event has been confirmed by Apple. The media invite features Apple logo with leaves in the iOS 7 color palette flying in the background. The leaves signify autumn line-up of new iOS 7 devices.

The theme of the event is “We still have a lot to cover.” This clearly suggests that Apple is planning to announce more than just one product line. Rumors and reports in the past have revealed that the company is prepared to launch new iPad, second gen iPad mini, new MacBook Pro with Haswell processors and OS X Mavericks.

Apple events usually focus on one major product and try not to announce too many new products at the same event. However, as the company is offering two line-ups of iPads and other product categories also need to be updated before the holiday season, this years’ event will be packed with announcements.

The fifth-gen iPad is expected to be inspired by the advancements in iPad mini and feature a thinner bezel which will make it lighter. Rumors suggest the new iPad will feature new camera and could possibly run on the new A7 chip. It isn’t clear if we will see TouchID in the iPad as the company has experienced low product yield of the sensor in the past.

Many analysts believe the second-gen iPad mini will go retina this year. iPad mini with a high resolution screen could prove to be a big boost in terms of new hardware feature. However, there have been some doubts expressed over cost and pricing of an iPad mini with a retina display.

OS X Mavericks was announced during WWDC. The company has been busy with iOS overhaul this year and during the iPad event we may finally get a release date for the upcoming software update for Mac.

Apple teased the developers at WWDC with the all-new Mac Pro. The release date wasn’t announced and it was showcased as a work in progress. The company could use the event as a platform to release the new Mac Pro.

iMac product lineup was recently updated with the Haswell processors and MacBook Pro line up has also been due for an update. It is expected that Apple will make these available on or before October 22nd.

The fall iPad event will be packed with major announcements. Stay tuned as Touch Reviews brings you the latest information and product launches from Apple.

Apple is rumored to announce the fifth-gen iPad (5) during a keynote event later this month. Photos of various leaked parts of the new iPad suggest that the design will be inspired by the iPad mini.

The new iPad 5 (fifth gen) is expected to be lighter, thinner and feature a smaller bezel. Back panels of the rumored device have previously appeared online but now Sonny Dickson has published high resolution images of the design.

We recently reported on a rumor published by AllThingsD that speculates Apple’s next iPad event to be held on October 22nd. The company is expected to unveil the new lineup of iPads for the holiday season.

Fifth gen iPad will be available in silver and space gray finish just like the iPhone 5s. Technical specifications of the new iPad could include A7 64-bit and an improved 8 megapixel camera.

Apple has been struggling with the production rate of Touch ID sensors on iPhone 5s due to high demand. It is unclear if the company will introduce fingerprint sensor technology in the new iPad. There has been no physical evidence of Touch ID being incorporated in the new iPad as yet.

During the iPad keynote event the Cupertino, Calif., based company will also unveil the new iPad mini. The second gen iPad mini is rumored to feature retina display.

Apple hasn’t sent out any media invitation for the iPad event as yet. If the event is indeed scheduled for October 22nd then the media could expect the invite email early next week.

Apple is rumored to hold another special keynote event to announce the next gen iPad lineup on October 22. According to AllThingsD’s sources Apple will unveil iPad 5, second gen iPad mini, release OS X Mavericks and could share an update on Mac Pro’s availability.

The iPad focused event had been rumored to be held in October earlier. Apple announced the iPad mini in October last year and the iPad product lineup had been due for a refresh. The fifth generation iPad is widely expected to share the design language of iPad mini which could result in a thinner and lighter design with slimmer bezel. The new 9.7 inch iPad could run on 64-bit A7 chip that was first introduced in the iPhone 5s. Sources familiar with the matter believe that even the second gen iPad mini could feature the A7 chip.

Apple introduced Touch ID in iPhone 5s this year to encourage more customers to set a passcode and yet find it easier and very intuitive to unlock their device. It is not clear if this fingerprint technology will make it to the iPad. However, it is possible that the new iPad 5 could feature the Touch ID.

Second gen iPad mini has long been rumored to feature a retina display and many leaks in the recent past suggest that second gen iPad mini will finally feature the high resolution display.

The time and venue of the event is still unknown. AllThingsD has a good track record of predicting dates for Apple events. While there has been no official confirmation it is very likely that the iPad keynote event will be held on October 22, 2013.

Apple’s 7.9 inch tablet, the iPad mini is due for a refresh this fall and according to a new report the next gen iPad mini will have an almost bezel free design. We recently highlighted another report which claimed that Apple is facing shortage of retina display supply that could result in retina iPad mini launch to be delayed until 2014.

DigiTimes published a repot citing sources that claim Apple will introduce a redesigned version of the iPad mini to give the next-gen 7.9 inch tablet an almost bezel free look. The current iPad mini design already features a very narrow bezel to it is unclear how the company will accomplish this. The report further highlights that retina display iPad mini won’t be available for this holiday season however, customers can expect a refresh this fall with improved technical specifications.

While the new iPad mini may not be availabe during the year-end shopping season, Apple reportedly may first release a slightly updated version of the current iPad mini in the second half of 2013, which is expected to be lighter, thinner and equipped with improved specifications, the sources said.

Apple clearly dominates the tablet market space which is evident by the total mobile web share. The company has a very aggressive marketing strategy for its tablet product line-up. The introduction of a small 7.9 inch tablet gives Apple an edge to dominate the market further by entering the small screen tablet segment. The company does not want to give any room to its competitors to compete in this segment.

Tablet product category was revolutionised by Apple and it was the first company to sell it in large numbers. The product refresh cycle for tablets has become shorter since the third and fourth gen 10-inch tablet as both were introduced in less than a year.

The launch of Apple’s much awaited retina iPad mini could possibly be delayed according to a new report. When Apple introduced the smaller screen size tablet it used the same screen resolution of the full-sized iPad of 1024×768. Even as the entire iOS device lineup comes with retina display, the iPad mini did not feature the high pixel density screen.

Retina displays are costlier than the non-retina screens and also impact the battery and graphics performance of the device. Apple’s move to a retina iPad mini could significantly impact the cost which could be one of the reasons why the company decided to introduce the product line without the retina display.

The company is expected to refresh the iPad mini product line-up this fall however, according to a new report customers waiting for a retina display iPad mini may have to wait until early 2014. The Taiwanese Economic News Daily claims that the shortage of retina displays could cause the delay in the product release and Apple would be forced to push the release date to early next year.

In this situation, Apple could possibly follow the release cycle same as the third and fourth gen iPad where the company released an updated fourth-gen iPad within less than a year. The second-gen iPad mini could see some minor processor upgrade and the retina display iPad mini could be introduced as the third-gen iPad mini.

Apple’s product release cycle is increasingly becoming predictable as the company seems to introduce internal improvements in one generation and then introduce an all-new model the next generation.

New photo of iPad 5 bezel and digitizer have appeared online again. Apple.pro has published new image that appears to be of the upcoming fifth-generation iPad. This is not the first time we are seeing these images. The rumor mill in the past has leaked photos that claim to be of Apple’s next gen tablet.

The upcoming iPad 5 is expected to receive a new design similar to the iPad mini. Recent rumors and leaked images all suggest that iPad 5 will get a “narrower” bezel. The photo above was published to a Photobucket account, it shows the bezel and ribbon cable of the digitizer of the rumored fifth-gen iPad.

Apple announced the fourth-gen iPad and iPad mini in October last year and it’s likely that the company will announce the new iPad during the same time frame this year. While recent leaks all point to new hardware design for the next iPad however, the authenticity of the photo is difficult to establish.

Product leaks have become fairly common for Apple since the iPhone 4, even as Tim Cook last year during All Things D suggested he wanted to double down on product leaks, it is still an issue for Apple. With leaks about upcoming products the sales of Apple’s existing product line up take a huge hit which has been evident in Apple’s annual financial report following any major product launch.

{via MacRumors}

Update : NowhereElse.fr has revealed that the photo above is of an iPad mini part taken from a Chinese part vendor.

According to a new report Apple is expected to launch lower priced iPad mini this year that could hit the market at $199 – $249 price points. With Android gaining market share in the smartphone and tablet market many analysts believe that the Cupertino, Calif., based company should address the low priced market segment.

We’ve reported on rumors about Apple working on a cheaper iPhone and now as iPad mini refresh is expected soon reports about cheaper iPad mini are beginning to flourish. The second gen iPad mini is expected to carry the same design but feature high resolution retina display and upgraded cameras. The processors and RAM would also see an update to support the high processing power required by the retina display.

In a research note, KGI Securities analyst Ming-Chi Kuo mentions:

Prior to iPad mini 2 launch, Apple might roll out a more affordable iPad mini to compete with Android products. To cut costs, Apple might push for lower component prices, use a more advanced process to produce the A5 processor, simplify metal casing production, remove the rear camera, cut storage to 8GB and find more component suppliers to lower costs. We think this cheaper iPad mini retail for US$199~249.

Kuo believes that at a lower price point Apple will be able to cater to the low end of the tablet market which is currently dominated by Android tablets. Apple has publicly denied all reports of a low-cost product and have continued to stress on quality of the products. However, it will be interesting to see if the company introduces a low cost tablet in the market to remain competitive and stop Android from dominating any particular market segment.

{via MacRumors}

With rumors about a new second generation iPad mini, as well as an iPad 5, it is no surprise that Apple and authorized retailers are lowering prices on the tablet. On Tuesday, Apple cut prices on refurbished 2nd generation and 3rd generation cellular iPads, offering up to a $50 discount on the WiFi+Cellular models.

The reduced price comes just as rumors about the iPad 5 are beginning to heat up, and customers are beginning to expect a new full-sized iPad with a design similar to the current iPad mini. In early April, a refurbished iPad 2 was priced at $399, but with the discount is brought down to $349. This means that customers will be able to enjoy a total savings of $180.

If customers purchase a 32GB or a 64GB model, the iPad 2 Wi-Fi + 3G is available for $429 and $529, while the 32GB and 64GB models of the 3rd generation iPad Wi-Fi + Cellular are priced at $499 and $579, respectively. This is a bargain, when considering that each of the iPads will come with a standard 1 year warranty, which will cover any damage or defects caused by the company’s manufacturing process. Apple is not offering any discounts on the WiFi versions of the 2nd and 3rd generation iPads, which remain priced at $319 for the 16GB iPad 2 and $379 for a 16GB third generation iPad.

Apple’s refurbished devices are required to pass a series of stringent checks, in order for the company to ensure that customers receive a device that is fully operational. Each defective device that is refurbished receives a new shell and a new battery. The only remaining pieces of the older device are the cameras, chips, etc. Essentially, customers are receiving a brand new device, with the same 1 year standard warranty as a new iPad at a discount.

By reducing prices, Apple is likely clearing out stock before the iPad 5 arrives, which will eventually will also be sold as refurbished. It is unclear if Apple plans to reduce prices on the refurbished iPad mini prior to a refresh, however, there is some time left as the new model isn’t expected until the September timeframe.

{Via MacRumors}

French site Noweherelse.fr released a report with images of a purported iPad 5 screen, which shows a thinner bezel, similar to the current iPad mini. Reports and mockups from earlier this year also showed a full sized iPad next to the iPad mini with a very similar.

The new iPad 5 is also expected to use the same color scheme as the current iPhone 5, and iPad mini, with the Black bezel matching with the slate back and the white bezel matching with the silver. Case designs from early last month also suggest that the iPad 5 will be very similar to the iPad mini. It is unclear when the iPad 5 will debut, although a number of sources have suggested that an event may be held as early as this month.

Others suggest that Apple will release it during its normal Fall timeframe, as they did with the iPad mini and the 4th generation iPad. It is not surprising that Apple is adopting the IPad mini design for its iPad 5, especially when considering that it is the only iOS device that has yet remained unchanged from the black and silver design and the thick bezel.

{Via MacRumors}

According to a report from The Korea Times, Apple is now looking at removing Samsung from its upcoming A7 chip development process. This means that Apple is looking at taking its chip development for the upcoming iPad and next generation of iOS devices to another company. The report notes that Apple will be moving the development to Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC).

Apple is sharing confidential data for its next A7 system-on-chip (SoC) with the Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC). TSMC has begun ordering its contractors to supply equipment to produce Apple’s next processors using a finer 20-nanometer level processing technology,” said an executive at one of Samsung’s local partners in Korea by telephone, Wednesday.

Samsung is reportedly taking steps to cover the gap that Apple will leave once it removes its business, with the South Korean company looking to produce graphics chips for NVIDIA as well as its already existing handset production. Apple and TSMC are reported to be working together on a 20-nm A7 design, which will likely appear on next year’s models of iOS devices.

This year’s iPad 5 and iPad mini models are expected to receive updated versions of the company’s A6 chip with a transition from 32-nm to 28-nm. The iPad mini will likely receive the new A6X chip, which is currently in the 4th generation iPad/

{Via MacRumors}

Rumors surrounding the 5th generation iPad have been around the web for several months now, with claims that the refreshed iPad would carry a design similar to the current iPad mini. On Tuesday, Digitimes reported that Apple will begin production of the 5th generation iPad during the July / August timeframe.

This means that the 5th gen iPad release date would likely occur in the Fall, similar to the 4th generation and the iPad mini which were released last Fall. The timeframe for the 5th generation iPad reportedly comes from Taiwan-based supply chain makers, who are likely working on the device. With 3 iPads released in 2012, one in March and two in November, it makes sense that Apple would wait a full year before releasing a new iPad.

The 5th gen iPad is expected to carry the thinner and lighter design of the iPad mini, meaning a thinner bezel and color mixtures of White / Silver and Black / Slate. It is also possible that Apple would release a new A8 chip and perhaps a new 8 megapixel camera, currently included on the iPhone 4S and the 5.

{Via MacRumors}

A number of retailers are lowering prices on Apple’s iPad lineup, suggesting a possible refresh in the near future. Apple is expected to announce the release date for a brand new iPad 5 with a design similar to the current iPad mini. The company is also expected to release an iPad mini with a Retina Display, among other features. On Wednesday, Walmart lowered the price of the iPad mini to $299, offering customers a reasonable discount and matching the price of the iPad with that of the new fifth generation iPod touch.

Now, Best Buy appears to be following suit, lowering prices on older models of the iPad, specifically the third generation iPad by up to 30 percent. This means that a 16GB WiFi model will now be only $315, as opposed to the same model from Apple, which is currently being sold as a refurbished unit for $379. However, the Richfield, Minnesota based company is restricting the discount to in-store pickup only and the selection of devices is different for each location.

This likely means that the company may have a limited supply of third generation iPads and is looking towards a possible refresh. Overall, customers who purchase the older model will be able to buy a full sized iPad, running the same A5 processor as the current iPad mini, and a Retina Display as well. In terms of price, with Best Buy’s discount, the purchase is not bad for customers who don’t care for yearly software and hardware upgrades.

{Via MacRumors}

With the web abuzz with rumors of a new iPad 5 with an iPad mini-like design and even a redesigned mini with a Retina Display, retailers are beginning to slash prices on the device. On Wednesday, Walmart began selling Apple’s iPad mini for $299, marking one of the first price drops for the device since its release.

The $299 price point is only available for the 16GB WiFi iPad mini and is the same price that Apple is currently selling its refurbished units for. The iPad mini, from both Walmart and Apple still come with the Cupertino company’s standard 1 year warranty on all of its products and accessories. However, if the iPad mini is purchased from Walmart, the customer will be receiving a new device, as opposed to Apple’s refurbished units.

If a customer decides to partake in this deal, they may go through the in-store pickup process, giving them the option reserve a device online and then pick up in the store. It also appears that the “ship to home” option is also available, even though it was not when the deal originally went up. It is unclear if other retailers will begin to lower prices on Apple’s iPad. However, if other retailers do decide to follow suit with Walmart’s discount, it may be very soon, especially since Apple is expected to introduce a new lineup of iPads in the next several months.

With the second fiscal quarter of 2013 (first calendar quarter) at an end, Apple Inc. (AAPL) is once again set to report its quarterly earnings. AAPL will announce the Q2 2013 earnings results on April 23, exactly 3 months after they announced the Q1 earnings of 2013. The company notified the public of this earnings call by posting the date on its investor relations page.

Normally, Apple’s earnings calls start around 4:30 PM Eastern Time at around 5:00 PM Eastern / 2:00 PM Pacific because stock trading, which happens on the East Coast stops for the day around 4:20 PM. Apple proposed that this quarter, the company will record revenue between $41 and $43 billion and gross margin between 37.5% and 38.5%. Majority of the revenue will come from the sale of the iPad mini and the iPhone 5.

Three months ago, the company reported one of its most successful quarters, increasing its revenue and profit each year. However, in recent weeks and months, the company has experienced a major drop in stock price after reports began suggesting that Apple was no longer and innovative company and that it had nothing new to move towards now that Steve Jobs was gone.

It will be interesting to see how Apple’s CEO Tim Cook will handle the earnings call, especially since many of the negative reports on the company’s innovation emerged very recently.

{Via MacRumors}

On Thursday, Apple launched another web campaign very similar to its “Why You’ll Love an iPhone” campaign. In fact, this web campaign has the same idea, being called “Why You’ll Love an iPad” and shows all of the great reasons why customers should go out and purchase an iPad.

On the “Why iPad” page on its website, Apple focuses specifically on the over 300,000 apps available for the iPad, something that is also mentioned in the company’s billboard and print ads. Apple also mentions J.D. Power satisfaction rankings, percentages of schools and companies using the devices, as well as the materials used and the popular Retina Display.

As Samsung continues to rise in the smartphone market and becomes a serious competitor for Apple, the Cupertino company is moving quickly with its ad campaigns to show customers why they initially chose Apple or why they should.

Apple has recently been under fire from analysts and the public who claim that the company is experiencing a “lack of innovation”. The company is however, showing consumers why Apple is the right choice and is also rumored to be introducing a smartwatch and even a television set.

{Via MacRumors}

According to Japanese site Macotakara, Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL) is changing its original launch timeframe for a cheaper iPhone and is looking to introduce a polycarbonate iPhone with a 4.5 inch display. This would make the device slightly larger than the current 4 inch display on the iPhone 5. AAPL is expected to be working on two new iPhones, one which is expected to arrive this year, and the other in 2014.

This year’s iPhone is expected to be a follow-up to the current iPhone 5 and is dubbed the ‘iPhone 5S’. The 5S is rumored to include a dual-flash LED module on the back side of the iPhone to aid in picture taking and will likely retain the same design as the iPhone 5.

The ‘iPhone 6’ expected in 2014 is rumored to be entirely different than any iPhone generation seen before and will carry a polycarbonate body, the same material as the discontinued white MacBooks. The new device will also reportedly have a larger 4.5 inch display, which will allow users to choose from a range of different screen sizes.

By using the thicker material, Apple will immensely increase the durability of the iPhone. However, the polycarbonate material will also cause the finished product to be thicker than the current iPhone 5. Apple has also been rumored to match the price point of the new iPhone with that of the iPad mini, selling both devices for a retail price of $330.

It is not surprising that Apple is looking to release iPhones with different screen sizes, as competition from many companies stiffens, particularly Samsung which sells Android devices in a range of different screen sizes for as cheap as $100. By introducing the iPhone with different screen sizes, Apple will retain its iconic price points and design ethic, while offering users an option to choose their screen size as it fits with their needs.

{Via AppleInsider}

Rumors of an next gen iPad mini have been on the web for several weeks now, and many reports are suggesting that the new device would include a Retina Display as one of the many new features. However, according to market researchers, the inclusion of a Retina Display would bump the price of the second gen iPad mini by up to 30%. This means that each iPad mini would cost Apple $12 more per unit to produce, and would subsequently cause a price increase for consumers.

According to Digitimes, this addition of $12 per unit would raise the total price of the iPad mini above $200 for production. A Retina Display would tack on a number of new costs, including a new LED backlight for the higher pixel density. Overall, this would total up to a 30% increase in price for production. The most expensive part of an iPad mini is the screen, which is $80 per unit. A teardown by research firm IHS iSuppli in November estimated that the iPad mini internals cost Apple $188 to produce.

Although analysts are expecting a price increase for consumers, it is likely that Apple will find a way to retain the current price point as they did with the 3rd generation iPad after it received a Retina Display. It is unclear exactly when Apple plans to introduce a iPad mini with Retina Display, however, other issues such as retaining the same form factor and battery life may also present an issues alongside the price.

{Via AppleInsider}

Apple has launched new TV ad campaigns, focusing on the App Store and the range of apps offered for iOS devices. On Sunday, Apple aired two new TV ads for its iPad and iPad mini, called ‘Alive’ and ‘Together’, highlighting the over 300,000 apps available for the device. The ads, both of which had a similar theme, showed a number of words flashing across the screen, stopping at a few to describe the device.

At the same time, applications from the App Store were in use on the iPad including AmpliTube, Style.com, GarageBand, TED, iMovie, iBooks, Dinosaur Zoo, Toca Hair Salon, Vimeo, Rockmate, Glow Hockey 2 HD, and FaceTime.The ads arrive after Apple launched a billboard campaign with a similar theme, and seem to accompany the billboards posted along many highways and train stations in major metropolitan areas.

Apple’s latest ad campaign appears to show a range of applications from gaming and reading, to built in features such as FaceTime. In a 9to5Mac report about the new Apple ad, the site posted a tweet from one of its users, which noted that the hands using the device in the new ads change depending on the type of app. At one point, a baby appears to be using one of the word identification applications in the ad, “Together”.

Apple’s ad campaigns have been highly successful in the past, particularly those introduced for the iPad mini following its release. Apple has always been focused on the usability of a device instead of the device’s technology since the introduction of the original iPad in 2010. However, the company appears to be refocusing its ads on the applications available for the device, which has also played a large part in the iPad’s success.

{Via MacRumors}