Without a doubt, Apple will release a new iPad within a few months. Too many people are expecting it, and it's about time that they have a tablet with at least a front-facing camera for FaceTime. But could Apple release yet another new iPad in the fall? Some think so.
John Gruber of Daring Fireball has long been a commentator on all things Apple, as well as the technology scene in general. He's a fierce supporter of Apple but doesn't turn a blind eye to poor decisions or failures on Apple's part, much less denounce what is good about the competition. As such, he's garnered a loyal following, and his guesses about Apple's future products have been fairly accurate in recent times.
Yesterday, he posited an interesting theory that is worth repeating here, namely that Apple could stand to move its iPad refreshes to their annual September event. This is traditionally when the iPod Touch gets a refresh, but as he notes, "For four years in a row, Apple has released a new iPod Touch in the fall that, spec-wise, is pretty much just like the new iPhone released a few months prior." In other words, that event lacks pizazz. Each new iPad release, however, is full of the speculation that fan boys and girls live for.
The Motorola Xoom could give Apple a run for its money in terms of a quality tablet.
What he foresees as a good possibility, then, is a modest update to the iPad around April (slimmer, lighter, faster, FaceTime) with a more serious refresh coming later in the year (the potential for a retina display, for instance). It's too long of a wait to push everything back to September, so a .5 iteration is the only way to break the April cycle, if Apple desires to do so.
We don't want to say "buyer beware" come April, because there is no hard evidence to back this up, but Gruber does raise many interesting notions (such as the onslaught of new tablets from competitors coming later this year) that at least support the likelihood of Apple making this move. What do you think?
2 Comments
The man has a point - unfortunately. It's gonna be even more difficult buying into a new iPad in early summer, if there's another one coming in the fall.. even if it's just a possibility.
I think it is possible, but not feasible.
From the business point of view, it does not make sense.
Assuming that a huge fan base is made of Apple freaks, just like us, that follow the company and truly know what is going on with the future releases. We will not buy the new iPad in April with just a "few tweaks", we will wait for a better and more powerful device instead.
For those that do not have an iPad and really do not care so much about it, they may buy the old iPad for a lower price.
Apple is trying to extend the product life cycle using possible two releases in one year, selling to two different target markets. It could work, but brand wise, it could tarnishes the iPad and Apple's image, causing more confusing than excitement.
My next iPad must have significantly better processor, significantly better graphs, and front camera. It is becoming clear that the April iteration will not have that. I want a device as good as any console and better than my iPhone 4, since my main use of them are for games.
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