Let's speculate about the next iPad.

[Eug]

For someone with 20/20 vision, a 9.7" Retina iPad can be considered Retina by Apple's definition at any distance greater than 13".

It's been said that the optimal distance for an iPad is 15" - 18" or greater.

I suppose one situation where people would consistently hold it closer is if they're near-sighted, and don't wear their glasses, but that's an exception.

Going to a significantly higher (3X) resolution would help outliers, but it wouldn't help Apple's bottom line in any way, and for the mainstream market, it would in fact be pointless (pun intended).

 

[Steelbom]

For someone with 20/20 vision, a 9.7" Retina iPad can be considered Retina by Apple's definition at any distance greater than 13".

It's been said that the optimal distance for an iPad is 15" - 18" or greater.

I suppose one situation where people would consistently hold it closer is if they're near-sighted, and don't wear their glasses, but that's an exception.

Going to a significantly higher (3X) resolution would help outliers, but it wouldn't help Apple's bottom line in any way, and for the mainstream market, it would in fact be pointless (pun intended).

But 20/20 vision isn't great. It's average. There's bound to be plenty of people with better vision.

That may be the optimal distance, but everyone's going to hold it at a different distance depending on their preferences, where they are, and what they're doing with it.

Also you may not be able to see the subpixels, but I'd guarantee you that you could spot one red pixel on a white background. Until you can't I still think there's room for improvement. Of course that needs to be weighed against the negatives of increasing pixel density (brightness, power consumption, cost, etc.)

 

[jpeyton]

The one key factor missing from above is the amount of RAM. That crucial factor will determine if I buy or not.

Don't expect more RAM on the Mini or Air. I think Apple has made it clear 1GB is enough.

If they release a larger iPad "Pro" model, a bump in screen size/resolution might warrant an increase in memory.

I also have this hunch...maybe the larger 12" iPad isn't an iPad at all, but Apple's first OS convergence device. It's a 12" convertible Broadwell tablet/laptop, running MacOS and iOS. Have it replace the entire MacBook Air lineup, and if anyone wants a larger screen they'll step up to a MBP (which will probably be as thin as the current Air once they stuff Broadwell inside it). The clamshell design of the current MBA lends itself to be easily changed to a convertible format.

 

[Spicedaddy]

Haven't had time to test much, but there seems to be less reloading of tabs on my iPad Air in iOS 8 Safari.

 

[Eug]

But 20/20 vision isn't great. It's average. There's bound to be plenty of people with better vision.

That may be the optimal distance, but everyone's going to hold it at a different distance depending on their preferences, where they are, and what they're doing with it.

Also you may not be able to see the subpixels, but I'd guarantee you that you could spot one red pixel on a white background. Until you can't I still think there's room for improvement. Of course that needs to be weighed against the negatives of increasing pixel density (brightness, power consumption, cost, etc.)

Apple already compensates for this, as their chosen pixel densities are higher than their definitions of Retina. As mentioned, optimal for the iPad is 15-18 inches, but the pixel density supports as close as 13 inches.

Basically, what you've argued are occasional outlier cases. Apple isn't designing these things for the outlier. You've provided no convincing reason as to why Apple would release a 3X 9.7" iPad anytime soon.

The only place where I see this maybe making sense is an as-yet unreleased 12" iPad.

 

[Steelbom]

Apple already compensates for this, as their chosen pixel densities are higher than their definitions of Retina. As mentioned, optimal for the iPad is 15-18 inches, but the pixel density supports as close as 13 inches.

Basically, what you've argued are occasional outlier cases. Apple isn't designing these things for the outlier. You've provided no convincing reason as to why Apple would release a 3X 9.7" iPad anytime soon.

The only place where I see this maybe making sense is an as-yet unreleased 12" iPad.

My argument is solely that it will be an improvement visually. From what you write, I take it you don't believe that anyone with 20/20 vision will notice the difference. However, 20/20 vision isn't good vision. It's okay. Everyone has a highly varied visual acuity, and everyone holds their devices different distances from them, and that can change depending on what they're doing with it. So relying solely on the "optimal viewing distance", isn't enough as far as I'm concerned.

I would be surprised if they used said resolution on a 12 inch iPad, as it would just make content bigger. Apple has already demonstrated they get that a bigger screen should have more workspace, so I'd expect they'd choose a new resolution.

 

[Eug]

My argument is solely that it will be an improvement visually. From what you write, I take it you don't believe that anyone with 20/20 vision will notice the difference. However, 20/20 vision isn't good vision. It's okay. Everyone has a highly varied visual acuity, and everyone holds their devices different distances from them, and that can change depending on what they're doing with it. So relying solely on the "optimal viewing distance", isn't enough as far as I'm concerned.

But that's a different argument. You originally said Apple will be moving to a ~400 ppi iPad. That is what I take issue with. It's one thing to say you wish they would do it, and a totally different thing to say they will do it.

 

[Steelbom]

But that's a different argument. You originally said Apple will be moving to a ~400 ppi iPad. That is what I take issue with. It's one thing to say you wish they would do it, and a totally different thing to say they will do it.

Oh, no I'm still convinced they will do it. And the reason why is because, as I said, I believe there's a substantial visual improvement to be had.

But, again, it's not going to happen if they have to sacrifice battery life, brightness, or GPU performance. So it may take a few generations.

I guess time will tell.

 

[manly]

My argument is solely that it will be an improvement visually. From what you write, I take it you don't believe that anyone with 20/20 vision will notice the difference. However, 20/20 vision isn't good vision. It's okay. Everyone has a highly varied visual acuity, and everyone holds their devices different distances from them, and that can change depending on what they're doing with it. So relying solely on the "optimal viewing distance", isn't enough as far as I'm concerned.

I would be surprised if they used said resolution on a 12 inch iPad, as it would just make content bigger. Apple has already demonstrated they get that a bigger screen should have more workspace, so I'd expect they'd choose a new resolution.

what? 20/20 vision is considered good vision.

I'm pretty sure that most adults do not have 20/20 vision without corrective lenses. It's actually kinda sad IMO how many teenagers need to wear eyeglasses nowadays, and they hardly even read books.

 

[Steelbom]

what? 20/20 vision is considered good vision.

I'm pretty sure that most adults do not have 20/20 vision without corrective lenses. It's actually kinda sad IMO how many teenagers need to wear eyeglasses nowadays, and they hardly even read books.

But it isn't good vision imo. It's okay, but not particularly good -- 20/15 I suppose is good, and 20/10 is great. (When I say not good, I don't mean they can't see properly -- it's just average.)

I've been wearing glasses since I was 16 haha, so much PC time

 

[Eug]

For visual acuity, 20/16 is already extremely good, and 20/10 is exceptional and rare.

Admittedly, with 20/10 vision, very high pixel density can improve detail, but like I said, 20/10 is pretty rare. Apple's chosen pixel 326 ppi density on Apple phones, particularly the iPhone 6 is decent, probably good enough for most usage cases up to around 20/18 or even 20/16, and is higher than necessary for 20/20 vision.

For a 9.7" tablet, that pixel density needed is significantly lower than 300 ppi, even for 20/16 vision.

Targeting the outliers with 20/10 vision makes no real sense for a consumer product. It just adds unneeded expense, unneeded GPU requirements, and unneeded battery requirements, at least for 2014.

---

BTW, there is a sketchy rumour making the rounds today about 12.9" maxiPad, sporting an A8X.

http://appleinsider.com/articles/14...beefed-up-a8x-chip-ipad-air-2-to-gain-2gb-ram

 

[Eug]

Apple to receive iPad panels sized 9.7- and 12.9-inch from Samsung in 2H14, says report

Samsung Display is gearing up to provide Apple with 9.7- and 12.9-inch panels for its new iPad series, according to a report from Korea-based news source inews24.

Samsung will reportedly dedicate most supply from a 5G Plane to Line Switching (PLS) line to Apple and begin making shipments before the end of 2014.

 

[smackababy]

Read the rumors is TouchID and ApplePay coming to new iPads.

 

[Eug]

I have little interest in Apple Pay (since I don't live in the US) but it seems even less compelling for a 10" (or mythical 13") tablet.

EDIT:

I guess you're referring to this:

http://www.cultofmac.com/298212/os-8-1-beta-includes-apple-pay-settings-touch-id-ipad-reference/

Pay with iPad using Touch ID. With Apple Pay, you no longer need to type card numbers and shipping information.

I wonder how many people will be carrying their iPads around for TouchID payment.

 

[weevilone]

I'd like 256GB of storage on my next iPad.

 

[Eug]

Bloomberg: Apple Said to Add Gold Option to IPad to Goose Sales

Apple Inc. (AAPL) will add a gold color option for its full-size iPads in an effort to boost a category that’s posted declining shipments this year, according to people familiar with the plans.

 

[smackababy]

I agree ApplePay on the iPad seems rather silly. Although, it is a great feature on phones; at least, from a security standpoint. I'd love to not have to expose my CC information to idiot companies like Target and Home Depot.

 

[Aikouka]

Hmm... so would anyone here go with a larger iPad over the current size? Personally, I think the current iPad is a nice size, and apart from the PC-ish tablets (e.g. Microsoft's Surface Pro), you don't see many tablets that break away from the 10" mold. Do people really want these larger tablets? When it comes to portable devices like laptops, I've actually been looking at smaller devices. My eye is currently set on Alienware's upcoming Alienware 13 as I like the proposed power and theoretical cooling (too many small laptops have paltry cooling and run really hot and/or loud).

I agree ApplePay on the iPad seems rather silly. Although, it is a great feature on phones; at least, from a security standpoint. I'd love to not have to expose my CC information to idiot companies like Target and Home Depot.

I wonder if they wanted to add Apple Pay, which should be fairly negligible to add (apart from the GUI elements), because the iPad may also support the Apple Watch. It seems like the watch can only support Apple Pay through a complementary iDevice, which means you'd need an iPad or iPhone that supports Apple Pay.

 

[Eug]

I would probably buy a 10" over a 12-13". I want a 12" light laptop. I might consider a true 12" hybrid though.

My friend would buy a 12-13" iPad in a heartbeat, but he used it for content creation with his iMac.

 

[Red Storm]

Everyone in my family prefers the iPad Mini over the Air.

 

[smackababy]

I like the size of the Mini over the Air. I wouldn't go with anything bigger. Same with the 6 vs the 6+.

 

[zokudu]

Has anyone used a surface and can give a comparison to an iPad. I have a Surface 2 and it's alright but I don't use it a ton. The aspect ratio is awful for reading in portrait and there's not a lot to do with it otherwise.

How does the iPad compare. If I can't find a real use for my surface could I find one for an iPad?

 

[smackababy]

I've used what was originally referred to as the Microsoft Surface. The table thing. And it was pretty crappy.

Can't comment on the tablets though. =(

 

[Eug]

Less than two weeks!

iPad, Yosemite, iMac event Oct. 16.

http://recode.net/2014/10/03/codered-apple-to-hold-ipad-event-on-october-16/

It's being held at the Town Hall on the Apple campus, so definitely a smaller venue than the iPhone / Apple Watch event. Then again the last event was underwhelming in my opinion with that useless watch. Perhaps Apple will impress us with the new stuff in two weeks more so than the venue suggests.

 

[Subyman]

I just don't know how Apple will keep the iPad relevant. A few mm thinner, a finger unlock, better cameras, and such won't motivate the mainstream to pick up a new one every 2 years. I'm still using my iPad 3 and its plenty for surfing the net.