What to Expect in the New iPad Mini

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New iPad Mini with Retina Display

Before the first iPad mini was launched, rumors about Apple’s decision to create a product that was only slightly differentiated from the already mainstream iPad was questioned, even mocked by some reviewers. Was there really a need for a product between an iPhone and an iPad? An intermediate step between the two products was exactly what the iPad mini turned out to be, but it was a hit. It was a product for people who wanted a bigger screen than a standard phone but not as big as what a full-sized iPad offered. The iPad mini offered more than just a bigger screen. It was better and faster than the iPod Touch, too. With specs similar to the iPad, the mini outperformed the Touch on all benchmarks.

Even when it was only half as heavy as the standard iPad, the mini offered two-thirds the screen size. This was achieved with a much narrower bezel framing the mini when compared to the iPad. The screen did leave a lot to be desired – the in-demand Retina display was missing. Though not needed by everyone, the Retina display had become the standard for most Apple products. With a lower screen resolution (1024×768) and no Retina display, everything looked less sharp than on the iPad 4.

The new iPad mini with Retina display

The original iPad mini was considered by many reviewers to be a great idea that was botched in the execution. For the first time, Apple was in a major product category where it didn’t offer a better experience than the competition. It was the perfect little tablet that didn’t have the interface it deserved. The new iPad mini is the corrective – whatever the original nearly missed, the new one corrects in a credible way.

To those who disliked the blurry, low-resolution screen on the original iPad mini, the new model with the Retina display offers the full high-resolution treatment. Individual leaves on trees and individual hairs on a people’s heads are clear to see. Fast-action video that used to blur on the original mini’s screen are now crisp. All this is possible not just because of the Retina display but also the computing power behind it.

The processing power is mostly adequate

The new iPad mini comes with Apple’s new A7 chip. It’s able to produce the high-resolution detail that the screen demands. While it’s good with movies, high-resolution games and involved multitasking give it occasional trouble. The size of the mini, though, makes it perfect for gaming – your thumbs aren’t very far apart, the way they are on a full-sized iPad. With the high-resolution display, the added computing power and a comfortable size, the new iPad mini feels more like a dedicated gaming device than a tablet.

The new iPad mini against the competition

For its improvements, Apple charges £40 more than it does for the original iPad mini. The new mini also costs nearly twice as much as Google’s Nexus 7. Many might find the price too high. You could consider selling your old Apple stuff on a service like Music Magpie to be able to afford it, though. The new iPad mini is worth the price.

It isn’t fair to compare an iPad with an Android tablet, though. While Android’s app selection on the Play Store for phones is just as good as what Apple has, it has practically nothing for tablets. All you do get are bigger versions of phone apps. If you wish to truly use a tablet for what it’s capable of, the new iPad mini is the top contender.

Author bio: Mason Williamson enjoys technology innovations. He often writes about new devices and software on tech blogs.

Sony Announces Xperia Tablet Z: A 10.1 Inch Waterproof Ultra Thin Tablet

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Sony announced the Xperia Z smartphone at the CES recently and now its cousin, the Xperia Tablet Z has been officially announced today. The company is not very influential in the tablet market but looks like they are ready to compete with iPad with its new 10.1-inch waterproof tablet. Sony and NTT Docomo (Japanese carrier) was planning to announce the tablet on January 22 but Docomo accidentally leaked the tablet details on its website and Blog of Mobile, a popular Japanese gadget site reported the leak instantly.

tablet z

Thinner than the iPad Mini

Just like its smartphone cousin, the Xperia Tablet Z is waterproof and can stay alive under 3 feet of liquid. The tablet comes with a stunning 6.9mm thickness which is thinner than the latest iPad Mini (7.2mm thick). Sony’s Xperia S tablet was also a good looking tablet but its price tag failed to compete with the cheaper alternatives.

Specs

The specs of the tablet are also as amazing as the outside of the device. The tablet features a 1080p screen, a Qualcomm 1.5GHz quad-core Snapdragon chip, 32GB of internal storage, 2GB of RAM, NFC and LTE support. The big 1080p screen comes with Sony’s Mobile Bravia Engine for adding attractive vibrancy and color depth to screen. Like its smartphone cousin, the tablet features an 8.1-megapixel camera with Exmor R technology.

The tablet will feature Android 4.1 Jelly Bean out-of-the-box and with two color options, black and white. It’s really amazing how this tablet is waterproof, features 8.1-megapixel camera with the Exmor R technology, quad-core chip and 2GB of RAM and is still only 6.9mm thick. It’s the thinnest tablet available so far and is both dust and water-proof. This super thick tablet also features S-Force virtual surround sound system. The tablet comes with 6,000mAh battery and weighs only 495 grams which makes this tablet the lightest 10-inch tablet at the moment.

Summary of Features:

  • 1.5GHz quad-core processor
  • 1080p HD 10.1-inch display
  • OS: Android 4.1
  • 8.1MP main camera
  • 2GB RAM
  • Water and dust resistant
  • 32GB internal storage with microSD expansion option
  • Weighs 495 grams and 6.9mm thin
  • LTE and NFC Support
  • S-Force Front Surround 3D technology

Availability

 We still don’t know when this tablet will be available worldwide or about its price tag but we are expecting to see this lightest and thinnest 10-inch tablet in Japanese market next week. We’ll let you know once we get to know more about its availability and pricing details.

Shrink To Fit Market- iPhone Mini Could Be The Next Big Thing After iPad Mini

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Steve Jobs, as the world is aware of, always worked towards building quality products that added value for money and gave rich user experience over the ones that came with low price tag and compromised with features including the size. But now, Apple is in for too much of experimenting and trying to get closer to the competition in-terms of redesigning their existing products to fit all pockets!

iPhone mini

After its launch of iPad mini in the month of October last year, rumors has it that Apple is planning to come up with iPhone mini in 2014. As the report is seen on   it is said that the Apple needs to find newer ways to make profit in 2014 which is otherwise doing great business in 2013 through its iPhone 5. But as foreseen by Mawston, Samsung will capture 33 percent of the 2013 smartphone market and Apple will have its share of 21 percent. Apart from Mawston, strategy analytics, Jeffries analyst Peter Misek also believes the possibility of such a smartphone and said it would cost anywhere between $200 and $250 according to the source.

Apple is now on the second position following the lead Samsung in the smart phone business. As per the analysis by Mawston, the high-end smartphone market is nearing saturation and to survive the competition, to gain the first place and also to fill the gap and tap the cheap smartphone market, iPhone is rumored to release this new “iPhone mini” in 2014.

The question is- “would there be a market for this cheaper and smaller iPhone?” As per the Forbes, this “Honey I shrunk the iPhone” version could have a huge market in countries like China and India apart from the craze that could develop in USA.

People already using the current versions of high-end iPhones might not want to switch to the miniature of the same but yes, other potential customers who are using cheaper smart phones would definitely switch to a better alternative like iPhone mini.

If at all this rumor becomes reality, would you opt for an iPhone mini?

iPad Vs Surface- Is The Surface Tablet A First Real Threat To iPad?

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Microsoft Surface versus Apple iPadApple has almost swallowed the tablet world with its iPad. iPad has all the incredible features any tablet can ever offer to its users. It gives the most incredible experience and reliability any tablet freak may ever expect. Yet, iPad is more a luxury to invest with little ability of using it for productive work. You can browse, play, use social media, network and do business with 3G/4G connectivity and indulge in fun. If this is what you are going to use an iPad then by all means you can invest in it.

The Apple’s iPad USPs are:

  1. Universal compatibility with other ios devices.
  2. It’s all about apps. With an awesome dev support system the huge apps market on itunes brings in quality tested apps to the end users.
  3. No USB port or hardware connecting alternatives and hence no risk of virus infection.
  4. The retina display of iPad kills its competitors!
  5. Though expensive it gives value for money.

iPad is mostly suitable for content absorption and entertainment which can hardly be used for productive purpose; where as in a Surface tab absorption as well as production is highly possible. Really I even struggle to type an article on my iPad with so little space for ten fingers on the screen to move. A light key pad would come in handy any time. With a built-in CPU, Surface is a tablet computer and the real work for real working freaks is really possible!

The Microsoft’s surface USPs are:

  1. Surface is definitely going to be a hit with people who love working on laptops over tablets (anyways working on tablet is a challenge!). It is a touch screen tablet which can be easily converted to a laptop computer making it a workaholic friend on the go.
  2. Surface makes it easy for people who do not like to carry two devices (MacBook air and iPad).
  3. It has USB ports for external hardware connectivity.
  4. Fully loaded with office 2013 which I guess people would love to use.

However, the apps store does not look very attractive for the developers. Less number of quality apps may keep people wondering on the investment. The battery life may be a little disappointing factor if you really need to worry! Screen resolution is not very great either. But as for most of the first generation devices there are some loop holes (if I may call them so) for sure. But the OS Windows RT on surface tablet ought to do its bit in impressing the users.

You have a full-fledged touch screen mobile device i.e. iPhone 5 which also has bigger screen than its ancestor iPhone 4, then why invest in a tablet like iPad 3 or mini again! Macbook-Air falls in the league of lightest laptops which is bulkier as compared to surface. Ultimately the better option would be to consider buying a tablet come laptop i.e. Surface. Still better I would watch out for the surface-pro which is yet to be released! Surface Pro please take my money but limit it to $1000 or below!!!

Unless you have all the bucks to invest in a touchscreen phone, a tablet, a laptop and desktop it’s anytime a good idea to look for a device loaded with most of the hardware and software features of these devices.

Taking on and beating a company is another thing when the real question about usability, affordability, mobility or luxury arises. Which one are you planning to buy or think is a good investment?

5 Questions Answered On Which Gadget To Buy This Festive Season iPhone 5, iPad mini or Microsoft surface?

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November and December are the months when people across globe celebrate festivals and make merry by buying electronics either for personal use or to gift to their loved ones. Since the market at present is flooded with endless goods and gadgets making a choice becomes very difficult. The brand, cost, features, operating system, usability and the purpose of buying such devices are all accountable to making the best possible decision. You have multipurpose smart phones, tablets, budget tablets, and OS specific gadgets to choose from (let’s leave laptops alone as of now!).

Here is a simple list of selected gadgets you might want to consider for your next buy followed by some guidelines on how to make your decision in the form of questions and answers:

  1. Apple’s – iPhone 5, iPad 3 and  iPad Mini
  2. Google’s- Endless Android mobile phones and  Nexus 7 Tablet
  3. Amazon’s- Kindle Fire HD
  4. Samsung’s- Galaxy Series Mobile Phones, Galaxy Tab and Galaxy Note
  5. Omnia’s W Phone
  6. Microsoft’s- Windows 8 Mobile Phones and Microsoft Surface
  7. Motorola’s- Xoom and Razr XT910 Phone
  8. Nokia’s- Lumia 800, E6 and 808 Pure View Phones
  9. Acer’s- Iconia Tab
  10. HTC’s- One X, Radar and One S Phones
  11. LG’s- Optimus 4X HD
  12. Sony’s- Tablet S
  13. Xperia S and Xperia Go Phones
  14. Black Berry’s- iberry Auxus AX02, Playbook Tablet and Bold Touch 9900
  15. Asus’s- Eee Pad Transformer TF101G and Eee Pad Slider

You have to keep several factors in mind or else you will end up buying on of the most useless gadgets of all time. It’s time to mind map and find answers to some of the common questions, here we go.

Q1- So the first question that arises is- Who is the big-boss of them all?
Is it Apple, Google, Amazon, Samsung, Microsoft, Acer, Sony or Motorola?

A-  As far as I believe, there is no such big-boss or maybe there is one! But that does not really matter. The best might not be the right fit for you. Yes, I mean it. The best of them all might be offering the most aspired device but that might actually be of little use for you and your needs.

Whether you are considering buying a product from one of these companies to fulfil your professional needs or you are buying one from a brand just for fun is what matters. Your needs must be in-line with the features offered by the device and the price you are paying for the gadget. More over it must be affordable for you and so you must literally try to get more for as little money as possible when it comes to economical buy!

Hence, all the guys mentioned above have something nice to offer in the range for what you are looking for. The ball is in your court now.

Q2- Which touch screen gadget serves you the best and add value to your money?

A-  First of all decide and be clear of what type of gadget you are interested in i.e. a smart phone or a tablet computer or a luxury touch screen device. For example- A smart phone with touch screen loaded with reasonable OS can be your best bet over choosing a tablet if you are looking for a gadget that meets your phone requirements as well as assist you with rich features like navigation, gaming, 3G accessibility, among other features you are looking for. You are getting everything you are aspiring to buy, you are getting all of them in one device and also you are paying little less than what you might pay for unwanted features by choosing a tablet against your requirements.

Q3- Which hardware and Operating System should I choose?

A-  There are two aspects of choosing the modern day’s touch screen devices. One is the hardware i.e. which handset or tablet brand should you go for and the other is the software namely the Operating System i.e. iOS, Android or Windows 8. iOS is specific to Apple devices only i.e. if you want iOS operating System then you ought go for Apple’s hardware. Whereas if you choose to buy devices with Android OS then you will have a range of choices as far as the hardware brand is concerned. Google, Samsung, HTC, etc all have smart phones and tablets with Android OS. Same is the case with Microsoft’s new Windows 8 OS.

Therefore it becomes crucial to decide on which Operating System you would like to go with so that you can choose the hardware wisely.

Q4- Are you buying a device for your personal use or for a small company that you run or for your family?

A-  Be very clear about whom is this device meant for and what age group people would be using the gadget. For example: Your tablet will perhaps be used by your wife and your kids if your option is to buy a tablet for your family. Kids these days are smart and even toddlers are not to be taken lightly when it comes to using touch screen gadgets. You are using it for fun and work, your wife would use it to browse the internet and play and your children would use it for education purpose and gaming.

So, the versatility and usability becomes the important part of your list of must have features. Likewise may be you need more prolific features if the device is meant for your personal use to meet your professional needs or something versatile would suit if the gadget is meant to be used by more than one person.

Q5- Finally, what is your budget?

A-  You have a list of features that a gadget must have for you to buy it but you have so little money to spend or you just don’t give a damn to how much it costs but you need the best you can get or maybe you are ready to stretch and your budget is flexible but are looking for something that adds value to your money. Whatever be your budget, the good news is most of you can own one device that fits you the best. Just be sure of how much you are ready to spend and what do you want for that much of money. It is also important to be ready with a list of things you may agree to compromise if need be so that you end up buying a device for the money you have.

Take an informed decision and be responsible for what you have decided. Whether you are paying less or more the truth is you are anyway paying a price. If you go for an economical gadget you may compromise on the product quality or features and if you are buying it for more money that’s it you have already paid a price with your bucks!

Do you have more tips to share, we are eager to hear them from you. Drop your tips and queries.

Apple’s iPad Mini is here: Everything you need to know

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After months of rumors and speculation, Apple has finally taken the wraps off its long-rumored gadget, the iPad mini. It’s two-thirds smaller than its very popular 10-inch iPad and is lighter and thinner than its competitor, Google Nexus 7.

The new iPad mini “isn’t just a shrunken-down iPad, it’s an entirely new design,” that’s how Phil Schiller unveiled this device at the special event in San Jose. Let’s see if the long-rumored device has managed to fulfill the expectations of the Apple fans or not.

Features & Specs

The new iPad mini comes with a small 7.9-inch screen like its name suggests with 4:3 aspect ratio unlike the other 7-inch tablets out there. It’s two third smaller than the current iPad but offers the same resolution as the iPad 2, 1,024×768. The best part of this resolution is, you can enjoy all the apps ready for the iPad and iPad 2 right away and the developers don’t have to modify their apps. However, there were rumors about no retina display in the rumored iPad mini and it turned out to be true. If you are a retina display fan, you may not be satisfied with just 163 pixels per inch (ppi).

The new device sports an A5 chip, the same one used in the iPad 2 and the latest iPod Touch. It has a front-facing FaceTime camera that supports HD FaceTime calls and a 5-megapixel rear camera that comes with the same iSight technology we saw in iPhone 5. The latest iPad mini also includes the recently unveiled Lightning connector that we saw on the iPhone 5. Apple claims it to be “Every inch and iPad”. Other attractive features include Wi-Fi and LTE connectivity, iOS 6, Siri and 10-hour battery life to enjoy all the other features.

Availability and Pricing

Customers can order for their new iPad mini from this Friday and it will be available on the market from November 2. The iPad mini starts at $329 for the Wi-Fi only 16GB version which is only $30 more than the current iPod Touch. I was expecting to see a price tag of $250-$300 to compete with the likes of Kindle Fire HD and Google Nexus 7 so I was really disappointed to see a $329 price tag. Apple used their old pricing strategy here. This is the only thing that disappointed the analysts. Erik Gordon, professor of University of Michigan told Bloomberg News, “At $329, it won’t draw people from Kindles and Nooks”.

Some analysts believe it was a chance for Apple to step on “the throat of Amazon and Google” but the company decided to follow its old pricing strategy. This is the same strategy they applied 10 years ago when they tried to compete with the cheap MP3 players with the original iPod.

The iPad mini is about $100 more expensive than the current leader of the 7-inch tablet arena, the Nexus 7. The iPad 2 also costs around $399 which means it could be the end for the iPad 2. Apple also unveiled the 4th generation iPad in the special event in San Jose.

iPad Mini Rumor Roundup: What We Know So Far

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Apple is expected to unveil the much-anticipated iPad Mini this month at a press event. The company is trying to keep things secret and nothing is officially announced yet. However, there were no shortage of rumors before the release of iPhone 5 and things are looking quite similar this time before the launch event of iPad Mini. So, if it’s getting difficult for you to keep track of all the latest iPad Mini rumors, we have gathered almost all the rumors right here for you.

Expected & Rumored Specs

The rumored iPad Mini is expected to feature a 7.85-inch screen and is expected to be just a smaller version of the current iPad. People are calling it a 7-inch iPad like the Nexus 7 but it will be actually an almost 8-inch tablet. Like the new iPhone 5, iPad mini will come with the new Lightning dock connector and re-positioned headphone jack. However, if you are expecting to enjoy the Retina graphics on iPad Mini, you will be disappointed to know that the smaller version will have the higher resolution graphics like the iPad 2, not Retina display.

According to other rumors, the smaller iPad is expected to sport an indium gallium zinc oxide display by Sharp. This new display made by sharp, IGZO technology is believed to be more power efficient for showing shiny display on LCDs. Nowhere Else, a French website posted some images last month that shows a iPhone 5 like iPad mockup. There is a possibility that the iPad Mini will look just like the mockup you are seeing in the image posted below.

The latest iPad Mini specs rumor from the LA Times suggests that there won’t be any 3G or 4G version of the iPad Mini. The small iPad will be Wi-Fi only and will also feature a similar price tag like the Kindle Fire HD and Nexus 7 to compete in the 7-inch tablet market. However, the Guardian reported recently that Apple is planning to release two versions of the device, a Wi-Fi only and a 4G version. Other specs are expected to be similar like the iPad 2, 512MB of RAM, A5 processor, iOS 6 and two cameras.

Price & Release Date

We don’t have much about the price and release date of iPad Mini yet but we are expecting to see a price tag of $249 as the starting price point. If Apple wants to get dominance in the 7-inch tablet market, the company has to offer the iPad Mini for less than $250. Otherwise, it will be difficult for the company to compete with the likes of Google Nexus 7 and Amazon Kindle Fire HD.

If the leaks and rumors are accurate like the iPhone 5 rumor mill, you already know what to expect at the event. However, we don’t know much about its internal specs and price yet. Apple didn’t announce any media event on Oct. 10 so we are expecting to hear something next week. The company has already ordered 10 million units of the iPad Mini, according to the Wall Street Journal so we can expect to see the device available in the market this holiday season.