The iPad Mini will compete directly with cheaper similar-sized tablets recently launched by Google, Amazon, Samsung and others. Apple‘s vice-president of marketing Phil Schiller told attendees that the device was 23% thinner and 53% lighter than the third-generation iPad, which was released in March this year.
The iPad Mini launch ends years of speculation that Apple was considering launching a new, smaller version of its bestselling iPad range.
In 2010, late founder Steve Jobs described 7in tablets as being “too small”. However, the company’s apparent change of heart comes in the face of mounting pressure from its closest competitors, who already offer smaller - and crucially, cheaper - products.
Apple also announced a lower-key upgrade for the full-sized iPad. Calling it the “fourth generation” iPad, Mr Schiller said its new A6X chip meant it had twice the CPU (central processing unit) power of the third-generation model.
Despite the widespread excitement, analysts say that Apple is stepping into a already crowded market with the mini, and is likely to see big competition from competitors.
아주경제 앤드류 이 기자=
Copyright ⓒ Aju Press All rights reserved.