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Wiil Large iPhone 6 cannibalize iPad mini sales

Posted on April 22, 2014 by sales

How would Apple’s iPad Mini fare in a world with not just one, but two, bigger-screen iPhones?

Apple is expected to bump up the screen size on its next iPhone. Recent rumors even claim the company will unveil two new models later this year — one with a 4.7-inch screen, the other with a 5.5-inch screen. Assuming this prediction proves true, a certain amount of cannibalization of the Mini is likely. But Piper Jaffray analyst Gene Munster sees the overall effect on Apple as neutral.

In some cases, consumers might update to the iPhone 6 to score the bigger screen instead of keeping an older phone and buying an iPad Mini, Munster suggested in an investors note released Monday. In other cases, iPhone 6 buyers who want a second device might simply choose an iPad Air instead of a Mini.

Product Listing Suggests Retina iPad Mini Could Launch on November 21

Posted on October 31, 2013 by sales

A product listing for the Retina iPad mini with a release date of November 21 hasappeared on Target.com, suggesting Apple’s new tablet could make its debut on the Thursday before Thanksgiving. Thus far, Apple has not provided a prospective release date for its iPad mini with Retina Display, offering up only broad November launch plans.

While the November 21 launch date listed on the Target website could be a simple guess by the company, it is a logical release day for the tablet because it falls before Thanksgiving and more importantly, before Black Friday, which is a major shopping holiday in the United States.

A late November launch also gives Apple an opportunity to focus its attention on the iPad Air for the majority of the month. It is unclear, however, why Apple would choose to launch the Retina mini on a Thursday, as product releases typically fall on a Friday.

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Apple’s Retina iPad mini, which includes an A7 processor and an upgraded rear camera, is said to be in very short supply. According to a recent report, stock of the Retina iPad mini will be “ridiculously tight” until early 2014.

Though supplies of the Retina mini will be low, Apple is said to have a large quantity of iPad Airs available for purchase, which will likely alleviate some of the demand for the smaller tablet. Apple’s iPad Air will go on sale this Friday, with online orders beginning at 12:01 AM in the United States and at varying times in other countries.

Non-Retina Space Gray iPad Mini Starts Appearing in Apple Retail Stores

Posted on October 28, 2013 by sales

The new Space Gray version of the non-Retina Display iPad mini has begun appearing in Apple retail stores, according to 9to5Mac. The color change was announced alongside the the debut of the iPad mini with Retina Display at Apple’s media event on Tuesday.

Although the new color is available in select Apple Stores, the tablet is reportedly not yet available in all of the retail stores. The model, which only comes with 16GB, has been available in Apple’s website since Tuesday, but it was previously unknown when it would appear in its retail locations.

The new Space Gray color replaces the older iPad mini’s slate black color and starts at $299 for the Wi-Fi version and $429 for the Wi-Fi + Cellular variation.

Thinner iPad and Retina iPad Mini

Posted on October 21, 2013 by sales

Apple will introduce a high resolution Retina iPad mini and a thinner, lighter version of the standard 9.7-inch iPad during its Tuesday event, reports The Wall Street Journal, confirming months of product leaks and rumors.

Apple is now readying a revamped iPad Mini with a high-resolution “retina” display. It’s also working on a thinner, lighter version of its standard 9.7-inch iPad, using a thin film instead of the glass found in existing models, based on information from the company’s parts suppliers.

While a fifth-generation iPad with thinner side bezels and an overall smaller size has been widely expected, the release of the Retina iPad mini has been less certain, givenmultiple reports in the last few weeks suggesting serious supply chain issues.

It was unclear whether the Retina iPad mini would be ready for Tuesday’s announcements, but in addition to The Wall Street Journal, two reliable sources, KGI Securities analyst Ming-Chi Kuo and AllThingsD, have also indicated that the Retina iPad mini will make its debut on October 22.

Alongside a Retina screen, the iPad mini is expected to include an A7 processor, while the full-sized iPad will offer an A7X processor. Both iPads will include upgraded cameras, and could also offer Apple’s new M7 motion tracking chip. AllThingsD has also indicated that Haswell MacBook Pros will be unveiled during the event.

Finally, I’m told we’re likely to see a slate of new MacBook Pros upgraded with Intel’s latest Haswell processors. Apple brought Haswell to its MacBook Airs earlier this year, giving them a nice boost in battery life and graphics. It has been expected to do the same for its professional laptops ever since. Tuesday should see the announcement of that move.

Aside from the iPads and the Haswell MacBook Pros, Apple is expected to announce a number of other hardware and software products, including Mavericks, revampedversions of iLife and iWork for both Mac and iOS, the redesigned Mac Pro, and possibly a new display to go with it. A minor update to the Apple TV may also be included, and it’s possible that the Mac mini could be updated as well.