Let's speculate about the next iPad.

[Eug]

I predict for fall 2014, maybe October:

iPad Air 2
- Same Retina resolution, but possibly with anti-glare coating
- Faster SoC - A8, with improved CPU and GPU components, but still dual-core
- Updated motion co-processor
- 2 GB RAM
- Touch ID
- Improved front and rear cameras
- Possibly 32 GB base

iPad mini Retina 2
- Same as above, but 16 GB base
- Slightly lower clocked SoC

What I am really wondering about though is what will replace the current low end of the market for the iPad and iPad mini.

I'm thinking they'll keep the current iPad 4, but maybe will update the iPad mini to iPad 4-like specs, but without Retina. ie. Apple A6 SoC and 1 GB RAM. In other words, it will be very similar to the iPhone 5c. iPhone 5c is 1136x640 (0.73 MP), while the iPad mini 2014 will be 1024x768 (0.79 MP), both powered by the same A6 SoC. Similarly, if they keep the iPad 4, it will still have the A6X.

Thus, as of fall 2014, there will effectively mostly be two iOS classes:

Class 1: A6/A6X powered 1 GB 32-bit devices (iPad 4, iPad mini, iPhone 5c)
Class 2: A8 powered 2 GB 64-bit devices (iPad Air 2, iPad mini Retina 2, iPhone 6)

However, that leaves an odd device out, and that is the iPhone 5s, which is A7 powered 1 GB 64-bit device. Hmmm...

EDIT:

Official pictures in this post (October 15):

http://forums.anandtech.com/showthread.php?p=36810959#post36810959

 

[Essence_of_War]

- 2 GB RAM
...
- Possibly 32 GB base

I'd strongly consider upgrading from an ipad2 if it has just those two, regardless of virtually everything else on the list.

 

[Eug]

I've been on the iPad 2 forever too, waiting for that magical 2 GB spec to appear.

I'd buy for 2 GB and TouchID. Even if 32 GB doesn't appear at the base, I'd just pay extra to get it.

 

[smackababy]

I think they will go Retina across the board (ie, replace the iPad 2 with the a retina model, iPad 4 IIRC and the the lower tier of mini will be the retina). Upgrade the new versions to the new SOC and possibly bump the base RAM and storage space. They just did this (well, RAM, at least) on the rMBP.

 

[Essence_of_War]

I'd buy for 2 GB and TouchID.

I haven't tried TouchID yet, is it that nice of a feature? My younger brother has it on his 5s and he says it's solid, but the 5s was also his first cell phone, so I don't know if he has enough perspective to be able to say something like "Where has this feature been all of my life!?!?"

If it had 2GB of RAM, I might be able to talk myself into springing for 32GB of storage, but I certainly would be annoyed by it. Since ipad2's release, haven't NAND densities doubled at least once?

 

[smackababy]

I haven't used touchID, but every other form of fingerprint verification I've used that wasn't on a 10+ thousand dollar machine, it was awful.

 

[Eug]

My sister had a fingerprint reader on her laptop. It royally sucked.

In contrast I absolutely adore TouchID, or at least I do now that they've fixed it. It used to lose reliability over time, but now it doesn't after the update.

It doesn't always work the first time, but if it doesn't, I just try again and it works again the second time. In fact, it works more reliably than I am able to type in my passcode. And I can do it with just my thumb and not have to touch the screen. It truly is an elegant solution. I went back to using a iPhone 5 for while (testing my wife's refurb) and it was the only thing I really missed (although I do like the improved camera of the 5s and burst mode).

 

[Aikouka]

I haven't tried TouchID yet, is it that nice of a feature?

Yes. It works about 99.9% of the time for me, and it means I can have a more complex passcode without having to worry about entering it every time. All you do is press the home button, and rather than remove your finger at the end, just let it sit there for a second (note: obviously you need to let the button depress). It should only take a second or less to unlock. Even the latest Anandtech article A Month With the iPhone 5s: Impressions from an Android User had rather good things to say about the biometrics.

At this point, TouchID is a requirement in regard to upgrading my iPad.

 

[JackBurton]

Yes. It works about 99.9% of the time for me, and it means I can have a more complex passcode without having to worry about entering it every time. All you do is press the home button, and rather than remove your finger at the end, just let it sit there for a second (note: obviously you need to let the button depress). It should only take a second or less to unlock. Even the latest Anandtech article A Month With the iPhone 5s: Impressions from an Android User had rather good things to say about the biometrics.

At this point, TouchID is a requirement in regard to upgrading my iPad.

Yep, that's why I passed on the iPad Air.

 

[manly]

There's about zero chance Apple will introduce any new device without a "Retina" display.

 

[Eug]

There's about zero chance Apple will introduce any new device without a "Retina" display.

So, what do you think the cheaper mini will be then? iPad mini Retina A7 1 GB? Or do you think they will keep the A5 512 MB mini?

I don't think there would be enough of a differentiation between the iPad mini Retina A7 vs the iPad mini Retina A8 unless the latter also includes TouchID. As for the existing iPad mini, I think it would serve Apple well to get rid of all 512 MB iPads.

 

[Eug]

BTW, I forgot about the 13" maxiPad rumour. The Wall Street Journal had mentioned it last year as a size being tested.

http://online.wsj.com/news/articles/SB10001424127887323829104578620870597408176

I don't put much stock into it though. I'd rather believe they're developing a touch-screen laptop or convertible. Or maybe that's the 13" tablet screen they're talking about.

 

[manly]

So, what do you think the cheaper mini will be then? iPad mini Retina A7 1 GB? Or do you think they will keep the A5 512 MB mini?

I don't think there would be enough of a differentiation between the iPad mini Retina A7 vs the iPad mini Retina A8 unless the latter also includes TouchID. As for the existing iPad mini, I think it would serve Apple well to get rid of all 512 MB iPads.

No way they keep the old mini around, that SoC is ancient.

You have a fair point that it'll be hard to differentiate, but consumers mostly look at price tag. $399 vs $329 is differentiation enough (along with whatever else Apple throws into the mix). And since it's been two models already, will the mini chassis remain unchanged?

And "maxiPad"? That's just so wrong lol.

 

[RadiclDreamer]

The 32GB version should have been the minimum for quite some time now. I find it pathetic to still be seeing 16 GB devices with no expansion slot. That being said, I love the ipad, but just hate apples gouging with regards to flash pricing.

 

[edro]

I hope the new mini is retina, 32gb base and $299. I will hop on the ipad wagon.

 

[ponyo]

Touch ID was terrible when it was first introduced. It would lose reliability and accuracy after a day or two. I complained about it many times here to only have Apple fans say nothing was wrong and the problem was my phone. But I knew that was BS. But now that it's fixed with the firmware update, it's awesome. I give props to Apple for fixing the annoying bug. Touch ID is a great feature and big advantage for Apple.

 

[Eug]

No way they keep the old mini around, that SoC is ancient.

You have a fair point that it'll be hard to differentiate, but consumers mostly look at price tag. $399 vs $329 is differentiation enough (along with whatever else Apple throws into the mix). And since it's been two models already, will the mini chassis remain unchanged?

What I meant by that is if the current iPad mini Retina is pushed down to US$299, and the new model iPad mini Retina is US$399 with the only significant upgrades being A8 and 2 GB RAM, that would mean a lot of people would stop buying the higher end model.

You need other differentiating factors, like TouchID.

As much as I think 2 GB RAM is important, Apple doesn't even advertise how much RAM its iPads have, and most people don't complain about the 1 GB in the current iPads.

And "maxiPad"? That's just so wrong lol.

You don't remember the original prescient MADtv skit, long before the iPad was announced?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M7ln00zr_Jc

 

[Eug]

Bloomberg has put out some new maxiPad rumours today.
The claim is for next year though, not this October.

Apple Said to Prepare New 12.9-Inch IPad for Early 2015

Apple Inc.’s suppliers are preparing to manufacture the company’s largest-ever iPad, with production scheduled to commence by the first quarter of next year, according to people with knowledge of the matter.

The new iPad will have a screen measuring 12.9 inches diagonally, said the people, who asked not to be identified because the details aren’t public.

Potential customers for larger-screen iPads are businesses, where the device could take on more tasks of a traditional laptop computer. In July, Apple unveiled a partnership with International Business Machines Corp., and Cook said part of the pact’s rationale was to sell to corporations so they could “be a catalyst for future iPad growth.”

---

Meanwhile, the LA Times reports that the LA school system has cancelled its big iPad rollout.

L.A. Unified halts contract for iPads

The suspension comes days after disclosures that the superintendent and his top deputy had especially close ties to executives of Apple, maker of the iPad, and Pearson, the company that is providing the curriculum on the devices. And an internal report that examined the technology effort showed major problems with the process and the implementation.

"Moving forward, we will no longer utilize our current contract with Apple Inc.," Deasy wrote in a memo sent to the Board of Education on Monday.

 

[Aikouka]

I complained about it many times here to only have Apple fans say nothing was wrong and the problem was my phone.

Thing is... I didn't have that problem on my 5s, and I've had it since launch. The only problem that I ever had with TouchID is the 1 in 100 (guesstimation) chance that it wouldn't work, and I'd have to enter my passcode. Now, I don't think I've ever had that happen.

 

[ponyo]

Bloomberg has put out some new maxiPad rumours today.
The claim is for next year though, not this October.

Apple Said to Prepare New 12.9-Inch IPad for Early 2015

Apple Inc.’s suppliers are preparing to manufacture the company’s largest-ever iPad, with production scheduled to commence by the first quarter of next year, according to people with knowledge of the matter.

The new iPad will have a screen measuring 12.9 inches diagonally, said the people, who asked not to be identified because the details aren’t public.

So Apple is again copying Samsung with 12.9" tablet. 8" iPad Mini, 4" iPhone, 4.7" iPhone, 5.5" iPhone.

L.A. Unified halts contract for iPads

The suspension comes days after disclosures that the superintendent and his top deputy had especially close ties to executives of Apple, maker of the iPad, and Pearson, the company that is providing the curriculum on the devices. And an internal report that examined the technology effort showed major problems with the process and the implementation.

"Moving forward, we will no longer utilize our current contract with Apple Inc.," Deasy wrote in a memo sent to the Board of Education on Monday.

iPads in public schools are expensive and waste of taxpayer dollars. Chromebooks and Chromeboxes are better use of the dollars and far better education tools. Fortunately, more schools are now recognizing this and adopting Chromebooks.

Thing is... I didn't have that problem on my 5s, and I've had it since launch. The only problem that I ever had with TouchID is the 1 in 100 (guesstimation) chance that it wouldn't work, and I'd have to enter my passcode. Now, I don't think I've ever had that happen.

That's fine but my wife and I had the exact same problem with the TouchID. One phone having problem I can understand. Two phones having the exact same problem with everything else working perfectly? Highly doubtful it's user error.

 

[Eug]

I had the problem with TouchID. It would lose reliability over time, so I found I was reprogramming it every couple of weeks. It was annoying. Then after an iOS update, all those TouchID issues disappeared. I haven't reprogrammed it in months, and it's still as reliable as ever.

 

[Eug]

Video leak of larger iPad prototype: iPad Maxi

 

[Eug]

Supply chains ramp up production for 9.7-inch iPad

Touch panel makers TPK and GIS are among some of the makers receiving orders from Apple for full-lamination units. Sources said the new model will remain unchanged in terms of size and resolution, but that it will be thinner, equipped with an enhanced processor, and contain improved fingerprint recognition features.

 

[mmntech]

Thinking about the maxiPad... I actually really like what Microsoft has done with the Surface Pro. It's still a tablet but it has the hardware in it that makes it a great laptop replacement. Would be really easy to do. Essentially just modifying a MBA. The trick would be making it compatible with the iOS app infrastructure. OS X's app store is still pretty thin.

 

[Red Storm]

Thinking about the maxiPad... I actually really like what Microsoft has done with the Surface Pro. It's still a tablet but it has the hardware in it that makes it a great laptop replacement. Would be really easy to do. Essentially just modifying a MBA. The trick would be making it compatible with the iOS app infrastructure. OS X's app store is still pretty thin.

OS X, just like full Windows, doesn't need an app store, there are thousands upon thousands of apps already made and continuing to be made, they just aren't forced to only be in a single "app store."