9 votes

Apple announces new iPad Air and iPad mini

17 comments

  1. [7]
    unknown user
    Link
    People question the use of the mini these days, but I think the new iPad mini could be a gamechanger for niche use-cases that a phone & full-blown tablet don't satisfy. For me at least, this would...

    People question the use of the mini these days, but I think the new iPad mini could be a gamechanger for niche use-cases that a phone & full-blown tablet don't satisfy. For me at least, this would make for a great paragliding altimeter, GPS, & mapping solution, given the right app. I don't have the space on my lap for a full-blown tablet while in the air, and phones—even phablets—are just too small.

    Pilots in traditional aviation also love them.

    4 votes
    1. [3]
      frickindeal
      Link Parent
      It would make a fantastic drone display. Unfortunately, the controllers can't handle something that large, but third-party accessories will make it possible. People are already using various...

      It would make a fantastic drone display. Unfortunately, the controllers can't handle something that large, but third-party accessories will make it possible. People are already using various tablets, because even the larger phones are a bit small for that purpose.

      2 votes
      1. [2]
        ali
        Link Parent
        3d printing could also be an option

        3d printing could also be an option

        1. frickindeal
          Link Parent
          Yes, true. There are a lot of innovative mounting systems to get a larger display on a drone controller already available, as well.

          Yes, true. There are a lot of innovative mounting systems to get a larger display on a drone controller already available, as well.

    2. [3]
      stephen
      Link Parent
      If you can draw my a venn diagram that convincingly describes the features/use cases for an iPad mini to be more than 50% different from an iPod Touch I will buy you 12 of them. On my mom. iPad...

      If you can draw my a venn diagram that convincingly describes the features/use cases for an iPad mini to be more than 50% different from an iPod Touch I will buy you 12 of them. On my mom.

      Pilots in traditional aviation also love them.

      iPad air indeed.

      1. ali
        Link Parent
        Reading is much more pleasant, watching shows, taking notes, for emdash a screen, there's lots of things an iPad can do better than an ipod. I don't really see the point of your comment.

        Reading is much more pleasant, watching shows, taking notes, for emdash a screen, there's lots of things an iPad can do better than an ipod. I don't really see the point of your comment.

        3 votes
      2. unknown user
        Link Parent
        I literally gave you a concrete use case in my parent comment. What does "50% different" mean? High levels of vagaries here. This is an example of unknown unknowns. When you don't know the use...

        I literally gave you a concrete use case in my parent comment. What does "50% different" mean? High levels of vagaries here. This is an example of unknown unknowns. When you don't know the use cases for a product because you aren't familiar with them, then of course it's going to seem like the product is pointless.

        2 votes
  2. [5]
    Comment deleted by author
    Link
    1. [2]
      onyxleopard
      Link Parent
      Yeah, this is weird. I’m very, very surprised that Apple decided to release new products with Touch ID.

      Oh, plus they're ditching Face ID for Touch ID and they're only compatible with the first-generation Pencils, not the new ones.

      Yeah, this is weird. I’m very, very surprised that Apple decided to release new products with Touch ID.

      2 votes
      1. ali
        Link Parent
        I think the touch ID part isn't the weirdest thing. I can imagine them keeping it for lower cost ipads. What I find weird is the decision to stick with lightning after releasing ipads with USB c....

        I think the touch ID part isn't the weirdest thing. I can imagine them keeping it for lower cost ipads. What I find weird is the decision to stick with lightning after releasing ipads with USB c. Especially since you don't know about their future time-line its just a weird position to be in. I use an iPad 2018 with an apple pencil, but I would not have gotten either of those things if I knew there was a USB-c iPad coming. In the same vein, I would not get a lightning iPad now, and especially not an apple pencil. It's just this weird spot in which you're in. Do you want to spend so much on accessories which will last you only this iteration?

        5 votes
    2. Greg
      Link Parent
      Yeah, it struck me as a bit concerning that I had to go and eyeball the prices of each device to remind myself where the Air fits into the hierarchy. Maybe it's simplistic to divide things into...

      If they're not going to simplify the lineup, they should at least have a "story" for each device about who it's for and why, and they should be able to tell it without a side-by-side spec comparison chart.

      Yeah, it struck me as a bit concerning that I had to go and eyeball the prices of each device to remind myself where the Air fits into the hierarchy. Maybe it's simplistic to divide things into with and without Steve Jobs, but I distinctly remember Apple being lauded in the past for having the confidence to roll out a very focused range of devices. Over the last few years it's become difficult to keep track of even for those of us with a professional interest in doing so.

      1 vote
    3. stephen
      Link Parent
      Here's my story of who the iPads Air & Mini is for: One day, Tim Cook woke up. "Hmm how can I enrich the board of directors today?" He remembered the last round of stock buy-backs was only last...

      "story" for each device about who it's for and why

      Here's my story of who the iPads Air & Mini is for:

      One day, Tim Cook woke up. "Hmm how can I enrich the board of directors today?" He remembered the last round of stock buy-backs was only last week, so that was right out. So, he decided to call SIR (to you!) Jonathan Ive about the new wearables: "Jony how's the EYEpod coming?" But it was still a long way off.

      Shit! The board meeting later that day demanded he innovate on the fly. "What to do? What to do?" Tim's mind was scanning its databases for examples of readymade snappy, fresh-faced innovations from other companies. "I have it!" Tim exclaimed as and intern carrying 4 differently sized cups from Julius Meinl, "I'll make different sizes!" It was so obvious. Everything came in different sizes! Now so would iPads! The board would be so pleased and Tim knew all was going to be well in the land.

  3. [2]
    weystrom
    Link
    There's still not much reason to upgrade if you already have a tablet. My original iPad Air is still doing okay. Apple kind of brought it back from the dead for me with iOS12.

    There's still not much reason to upgrade if you already have a tablet.
    My original iPad Air is still doing okay. Apple kind of brought it back from the dead for me with iOS12.

    1 vote
    1. unknown user
      (edited )
      Link Parent
      I think, given the understated announcement of this release, Apple's intent here isn't to encourage existing users to upgrade, but rather to maintain & refresh their existing product lineup to...

      I think, given the understated announcement of this release, Apple's intent here isn't to encourage existing users to upgrade, but rather to maintain & refresh their existing product lineup to keep their products desirable for potential new users.

      4 votes
  4. [4]
    Bal
    Link
    I kind of wish they'd updated the regular 'budget' iPad. Been looking at getting one since I'd gave good use for a tablet, but the hardware seems a bit old.

    I kind of wish they'd updated the regular 'budget' iPad. Been looking at getting one since I'd gave good use for a tablet, but the hardware seems a bit old.

    1 vote
    1. ali
      Link Parent
      I would wait until the announcement (next week?). But depending on what you want to do with the iPad, I wouldn't know what you can't do with it. It's super cheap right now and it's only a year...

      I would wait until the announcement (next week?). But depending on what you want to do with the iPad, I wouldn't know what you can't do with it. It's super cheap right now and it's only a year old. I got it last year as my first tablet and I'm very happy with it

      1 vote
    2. [2]
      Jedi
      Link Parent
      They just did last year. Added Apple Pencil support too.

      They just did last year. Added Apple Pencil support too.

      1. Bal
        (edited )
        Link Parent
        They did indeed, but the SoC in the 2018 version is from 2016 as a cost-saving measure I suppose. The A11 brought a significant performance bump and I'd like to have that at the very least.

        They did indeed, but the SoC in the 2018 version is from 2016 as a cost-saving measure I suppose. The A11 brought a significant performance bump and I'd like to have that at the very least.

        1 vote