During its iPad mini event today, Apple introduced a new accessory: the iPad mini Smart Cover. It's essentially the same thing as the larger version, except there's no more metal hinge.
Alongside the announcement, Apple also showed off a rather well done TV commercial starring the new Covers. And a few moments ago, they published the spot to YouTube...
It's always good to think two or three steps ahead to prepare for any situation, and that's obviously what Apple's been doing when it comes to the iPad mini, and iOS 6.
As we told you about earlier, improvements needed to be added to iOS' Multi-Touch in order to accommodate the smaller bezel of the iPad mini. With the mini, you no longer have the luxury of a half-inch bezel wrapping around the screen like the bigger iPad models.
That means that fingers and thumbs will now rest on the actual screen of the device instead of the bezel, and this would in turn result in a litany of false positive finger inputs. If the iPad mini shipped with iOS 5, such an issue would be a major problem.
Fortunately, as iPhoneinCanada points out, Apple planned well ahead in advance for such a scenario. As it turns out, the iPhone and iPod touch versions of iOS 6 shipped with improved Multi-Touch out of the gate. Take a look inside as we compare iOS 5's Multi-Touch detection, with the improved and iPad mini ready iOS 6.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yU3JXHbDT-Q
If you dont have time to devote an hour and twelve minutes to watch Apple's iPad mini keynote, then get a load of this. We've compiled most of the crucial information in an easily consumable nugget that's less than 4 minutes.
What's your favorite part of the keynote?
As you probably know by now, the iPad mini finally materialized this morning. Apple's SVP of Marketing Phil Schiller unveiled the long-rumored tablet at the company's San Jose media event.
Pre-orders begin this Friday, October 26th, and Wi-Fi models will start shipping on November 2nd. And if you're looking for a way to protect your $300 investment, Apple has you covered...
Apple has just announced the iPad mini and this is what it looks like. It's got a 7.9-inch display with the same resolution as the iPad 2, is made out of aluminum and glass with diamond cut chamfered edges. "It's every inch an iPad", Phil Schiller said and I approve. Lots more info, images from Apple's press conference and some gorgeous press shots are all right past the fold...
Well it's finally happened folks. After years of speculation and anticipation, Apple has announced the iPad mini. As expected, it has a 7.9-inch display, front and back cameras, and an LTE option.
Phil Schiller just announced that pre-orders for the tablet start this Friday, October 26th. And the Wi-Fi only versions will start shipping November 2nd, and + cellular models a week later.
So what's Apple going to charge for this thing?
The iPad mini's 7.9-inch display is packed inside what The Verge's Joshua Topolsky deemed “an incredibly thin and light design”. Part of that design: the skinnier side bezels that we first caught a glimpse of in early mockups. The problem is, there's no way your thumb could rest on the side bezels without touching the display.
Enter Apple's multitouch expertise. When Steve Jobs was unveiling the iPhone in January 2007, he praised its multitouch user interface for being able to detect and ignore unintended taps and swipes. "It's super smart", he quipped.
It's all done in iOS and Apple had to refine its multitouch software so the iPad mini can automatically figure out when your thumb is simply resting on the display instead of interacting with the gizmo...
For the first time in more than 5 years, Apple offered up a live stream of this morning's media event to the public. So if you had an Apple TV, iPhone, or were at your computer, you could watch the event unfold live.
But if for some reason or another you didn't catch the live feed, we have some good news for you. Apple has just posted the video to its website and it's now available for playback. More details after the break...
So, the iPad mini is finally here. After all is said and done, the decision to buy one comes down to parting with at least $329 (or as much as $659 for a top-of-the-line model with 64 gigabytes of storage and 4G LTE cellular). You've probably read all there is about it, both here at iDB and on Apple's web site. Today, we won't ask you to reveal your purchasing decision. Instead, based on Apple's presentation and web reporting, is the iPad mini everything you hoped for? Cast your vote right below...
Apple made a number of big announcements at its media event this morning, including some new computers, and of course the iPad mini. But one revelation that seems to have flown under the radar is a new carrier deal.
Sprint is now (finally) an official iPad partner. The company just pushed out a press release a few moments ago stating that in the coming weeks, it will be offering LTE versions of the 4th gen iPad, and the iPad mini...
With Apple's dual-core A5 chip, the same found inside the iPad 2, the iPad mini has enough horse power to drive existing apps because pixel count didn't change: the device still features a 1,024-by-768 pixel resolution screen like the iPad 2. As a consequence of the smaller display, the pixels are more densely packed, yielding crisper images and fonts.
Its 7.9-inch display is rated at 163 pixels per inch versus 132ppi for the iPad 2 (264ppi for the iPad 3 and 216ppi for the Nexus 7). Taking it all in, The Verge had a chance to briefly play with the new gizmo after Apple's events, here are their impressions and a nice hands-on video...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=qL0UlqpfuQc
This is the iPad mini promo video that Apple played during today's event. While this video has been available all day on Apple's website, the company just published it on its YouTube channel. Enjoy!