
Reports from 9to5Mac and DaringFireball both claim Apple’s iPad mini will feature a near bezeless design reminiscent of the iPhone and iPod Touch.
9to5Mac claims sources “that we have reason to believe hold knowledge about Apple’s plans on the upcoming iPad mini” have been sent a number of tips to the site regarding the device in recent weeks. The “reoccuring theme” is an iPad Mini with smaller bezels along the left and right sides, separate volume buttons (no rocker) and a mic on the back.
DaringFireball’s John Gruber’s analysis breaks down a great deal of information other news outlets possibly misinterpreted our outright overlooked. Gruber’s analysis ultimately concludes that the iPad mini will likely have the same resolution and pixel density of the original iPad and iPad 2, while losing the massive battery of the iPad 3 allowing the device to be incredibly thin. In fact Gruber’s math pegs the iPad mini at possibly being one-third thinner than the Nexus 7. Gruber is betting on a bezeless design as well that is a little more iPhone-esque than larger iPod Touch.
The best argument that can conceivably be made for the release of an iPad mini is the market potential. Apple simply does not have a product in the Kindle, Nexus 7, and Nook hemisphere. Apple is losing market share to the competition by simply not having a product to fill the void. Apple’s iPad mini will likely be cheaper, in the $200-$300 range while offering the same iPad experience in a smaller package.
Still, all of this is speculation. Worries about how users will hold the device without a bezel are unfounded until the actual product is released. And this is of course based on the assumption that such a device actually exists. Lots of exciting Apple products are on the horizon. Hopefully when the sun finally sets consumers aren’t left disappointed.
Source: 9to5Mac, DaringFireball
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