Survey: the iPad mini becomes ‘kid’s tablet’ for holiday gifts

By Ed Sutherland on Jan 15, 2013

We’re still gaining insights from holiday sales of Apple products. The latest finding: the iPad mini is now dubbed the “kid’s tablet” after one survey found post-Christmas usage of Apple’s smaller tablet rose 270 percent among families with young children. The new data comes from the makers of Kindertown.

Kindertown makes an app which helps parents find child-suitable apps. Among other findings culled from the software’s more than 200,000 users: while the iPad 4 was popular as a family gift, children also adopted the original iPad as a technological hand-me-down. Elsewhere, iPhone’s were not a big gift item for this demographic, after-Christmas usage of Apple’s handset not rising following the holidays… Read More

 

Cellular version of new iPad and iPad mini to go on sale in China on January 18

By Cody Lee on Jan 14, 2013

Back in December, Apple rolled out the Wi-Fi only versions of both the 4th generation iPad and new iPad mini in China. The Cellular version was missing from the launch, however, and there was no word when it would land.

Then last week, Tim Cook confirmed that carrier-flavored versions of the two tablets would be available in the country in late January. And today, Apple delivers on that promise, announcing an official arrival date of January 18… Read More

 

8 out of 10 iPad owners plan to stick with Apple

By Ed Sutherland on Dec 18, 2012

In the latest round of ‘is the iPad mini a cannibal?’ we go to Morgan Stanley’s Katy Huberty, who told investors the concern is “overblown.” Huberty says nearly half of the 7.9-inch tablets are bought by new customers. While the Morgan Stanley AlphaWise survey also found slightly fewer purchases of the iPad mini are by new tablet owners – suggesting the small tablet is taking a bite out of larger iPad sales – the risk is “manageable”, the analyst said… Read More

 

Walmart discounts iPhone 5 to just $127, starting December 17

By Christian Zibreg on Dec 14, 2012

Just in time for my birthday, retailer Walmart is shaving $72 off the entry-level iPhone 5 with sixteen gigabytes of storage. Beginning December 17, you’ll be able to purchase the device for just $127, that’s $22 less than the lowest price we could find at RadioShack, Target and Best Buy, which all offer Apple’s phone with a cool $50 discount (and some gift cards). Walmart is also offering the previous-generation iPhone 4S for just $47 and a fourth-generation iPad for $399, a $100 saving… Read More

 

iPad mini now outselling iPad 4, 100M Apple tablets predicted for 2013

By Christian Zibreg on Dec 14, 2012

When I come to think of it, technology buyers often times are an unpredictable bunch. Seven out of each ten told iDB they would never buy a non-Retina iPad mini, lots of folks appeared disappointed post-announcement and more than half told us they would never buy and iPad mini. Heck, even kids haven’t fallen for Apple’s advertising blitz as they want full-size iPads for Christmas.

Fast forward to today, when NPD DisplaySearch estimates the iPad mini is now outselling its bigger brother as Apple doubles display panel orders with LG Display and AU Optronics to more than twelve million units, up from the previous estimate of six million holiday units… Read More

 

UK’s Everything Everywhere announces LTE expansion to 17 new markets by March 2013

By Christian Zibreg on Dec 13, 2012

Everything Everywhere (EE), a joint venture between Deutsche Telekom’s T-Mobile and France Télécom’s Orange, launched UK’s first commercial 4G LTE network on October 30 and today the company has announced a network expansion to seventeen new markets in the country, to be finished by March of next year.

The carrier powers UK’s sole 4G LTE network so would-be iPhone buyers should be delighted to learn that its 4G density is “being increased on a daily basis”… Read More

 

Analyst projects higher iPhone sales, cannibalized iPad purchases

By Ed Sutherland on Dec 12, 2012

As we enter the last weeks of December, Wall Street analysts are adjusting their forecasts for Apple and its keystone products, the iPhone and iPad.

Sterne Agee’s Shaw Wu Wednesday told investors increased supplies of the iPhone 5 likely means more sales, while tablet buyers are shifting toward the iPad mini, resulting in slightly fewer sales overall.

After talks with supply chain sources, Wu expects Apple to sell this quarter 47.5 million of the new handsets, up from his earlier projected 47.3 million units. As for iPads, the analyst trimmed his sales forecast to 23.5 million, down from 25 million. In both cases, supply was the critical factor… Read More

 

iPhone 5 and Wi-Fi iPad mini, iPad 4 are headed for China in December

By Ed Sutherland on Nov 30, 2012

It’s official: the iPad mini, iPad 4 and iPhone 5 are set to land on China’s store shelves in December. The company announced today the 7.9-inch iPad mini and 9.7-inch iPad 4 with Retina display will arrive Friday, December 7, while the iPhone 5 drops a bit later – December 14. Only Wi-Fi iPad models are being released now as the cellular option has just cleared China regulatory hoops.

As of the Friday announcement, new iPads are available in 42 countries. The iPhone 5, which had some earlier supply glitches, has now rolled out in 47 countries… Read More

 

The iPad mini is an iPad 4 cannibal, after all

By Ed Sutherland on Nov 29, 2012

The iPad mini is taking a bite out of sales of its full-sized counterpart. That’s the conclusion of one Wall Street observer, who found fewer seven-inch Apple tablets available than the larger 9.7-inch iPad. But is the finding a sign of cannibalized iPads or something else?

A poll of fifty Apple stores by Citi uncovered the mini available in eighty percent of the locations, but severely limited, except for the 32 gigabyte version. However, all stores checked had the new fourth-gen iPad in stock, just six percent reporting limited availability… Read More

 

Loss of Samsung screens apparently hurting iPad mini production

By Ed Sutherland on Nov 26, 2012

Questions of whether Apple can supply enough iPad minis to meet demand continue to linger. After cutting ties with Samsung for its displays, one of the two alternative suppliers reportedly face production problems. All of which makes the executives at Cupertino nervous amid Cyber Monday mania.

Apple reportedly chose LG Display and AU Optronics to replace Samsung. As we reportedly last week, LG Display makes most of the displays for the iPad mini, which is widely viewed as a top pick among Christmas shoppers. However, now comes a report out of Asia that AU Optronics is having problems producing the displays… Read More

 

Apple’s Black Friday sale now live in the US

By Cody Lee on Nov 23, 2012

Ok folks, Apple’s Black Friday sale has now officially begun here in the US. After being down for several hours, the company’s Stateside online store has returned with discounts on several popular products.

As usual, the price cuts are modest. But for a company that rarely puts its products — particularly current gen models — on sale, it’s a fairly big deal. We’ve got all of the best deals and details after the fold… Read More

 

Google complains Apple is withholding iOS 6 source code

By Christian Zibreg on Nov 22, 2012

Just as Samsung added the iPad mini, fifth-gen iPod touch and fourth-gen iPad to its suit, claiming Apple’s latest gadgets violate its patents, news broke that Google’s handset arm Motorola Mobility is thinking about doing the same in its litigation against Apple in the Southern District of Miami, Florida. And in order to establish that Apple’s devices violate Motorola patents, Google is moving to perform some infringement analysis and has filed a motion complaining that Apple is withholding the source code for iOS 6, which powers the latest iPhone, iPad and iPod touch devices… Read More

 

Samsung adds iPad mini, iPad 4 and more to latest patent suit

By Cody Lee on Nov 22, 2012

Though the current US patent trial between Apple and Samsung, the one that resulted in a $1 billion verdict, is still far from over, another Stateside court battle between the two companies is already heating up.

Unlike the previous case, this new set of lawsuits pertains to more recent products from both sides including Samsung’s family of Nexus devices, Apple’s iPhone 5, and now the new iPod touch, iPad and iPad mini… Read More

 

Kids want an iPad for Christmas – and nothing else

By Ed Sutherland on Nov 20, 2012

Listen up, parents. Your kids want an iPad. Don’t be swayed by the Microsoft Surface commercials or the Nintendo Wii U chatter. No matter whether your child is 6 or 16, the iPad is at the top of Christmas wish lists for 2012, a new survey has it. According to Nielsen Wire, the top four out of five most-wanted gifts for children and teens bear an Apple logo.

Even more intriguing are the changes in what Apple products are wanted this holiday season versus last year. If anything, the trend can be summed-up in one word: tablet… Read More

 

Google Nexus 10 unboxing and first impressions

By Jeff Benjamin on Nov 16, 2012

Today I got my hands on the Google Nexus 10 in order to do a proper comparison with the iPad, and to stay up to date on the iPad’s closest competitors. As you’ll recall, I already did a review of the Nexus 7, and came away with a favorable impression of the device.

For the Nexus 10, a lot is the same as the Nexus 7, but a lot has changed as well. The most obvious difference is the form factor. This tablet competes directly with the iPad as far as size is concerned. You’ll also notice a fairly original design, and one of the best, if not the best, screens on a tablet that you’ve ever seen… Read More

 

Sprint starts selling LTE 4th gen iPad and iPad mini today

By Cody Lee on Nov 16, 2012

Sprint announced this morning that it will begin selling LTE models of the 4th gen iPad and iPad mini in its retail stores today. The news comes shortly after reports surfaced that Apple has started stocking its own stores with the + Cellular tablets, suggesting that today’s launch might not be limited to the Kansas-based carrier… Read More

 

Scosche unveils new Lightning accessories

By Cody Lee on Nov 14, 2012

It’s been nearly two months since Apple released the iPhone 5, and accessories for the handset are still extremely hard to find. So far all we’ve seen, as far as Apple-approved add-ons, are a car charger and sync dock from Belkin.

Good news this morning though. The California-based Scosche Industries has announced its own official lineup of Lightning accessories, which includes a wall charger, a car charger, and a retractable USB charging/sync cable… Read More

 

AT&T announces new FaceTime over Cellular policy

By Cody Lee on Nov 8, 2012

AT&T has announced today that it is reversing its decision to limit iOS 6′s FaceTime over Cellular ability to customers on its new shared data plans. The carrier says that subscribers with LTE devices will now be able to use the feature regardless of what data plan they’re on, as long as it’s not unlimited… Read More

 

Apple has caught up with fourth-gen iPad demand

By Ed Sutherland on Nov 6, 2012

It appears Apple’s supply of fourth-generation iPads has caught up with demand. After listing the new full-size tablet with a one-week waiting period, then 3-5 days, the iPad now is listed “in stock” at Apple’s online stores. Perhaps this is because 90 percent of the iPads the Cupertino, California company sold over the past weekend were iPad mini units. Monday, analysts released reports on initial sales of the smaller iPad. A common thread: worries that Apple cannot meet consumer demand, a particularly unwanted situation given the fast-approaching all-important holiday buying period… Read More

 

iPad 4 jailbroken

By Cody Lee on Nov 5, 2012

Hot on the heels of the iPad mini being jailbroken, well-known developer and iOS hacker Chpwn has announced that he has hacked his iPad 4. Both tablets officially went on sale last Friday.

As Chpwn points out, Cydia doesn’t look any different on the fourth generation iPad than it did on its predecessor. But the fact that it’s been jailbroken is actually pretty significant… Read More

 
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