iPad mini

Logitech introduces two new iPad mini folio cases

Logitech must really have a thing for the iPad mini, because for the third time in the last six months it's introduced a new set of cases for Apple's popular tiny tablet: the Ultrathin Keyboard Folio and the Folio Protective Case.

The Ultrathin Keyboard Folio is pitched as the company's thinnest and lightest keyboard folio to date, and features all of the bells and whistles. And the Folio Protective is a hard cover case that doubles as a stand...

Wacom unveils new pressure-sensitive Intuos Creative Stylus for iPad

Wacom has just announced its latest entry into the increasingly-crowded space of iPad styli, the Intuos Creative Stylus. The accessory uses low-power Bluetooth 4.0 to connect to your tablet, and includes programmable shortcut buttons.

Additionally, Wacom says the Intuos Creative sports a best-in-class pressure sensitivity of 2048 pressure levels, creating a "realistic pen-on-paper feel" when drawing. The high-end stylus aims to deliver "professional grade" performance...

Alleged photos of silver iPad 5 shell hit the web

New photos of a rear shell believed to belong to the next generation iPad surfaced late last night. The images appear to show a silver casing, which is consistent with previous reports and leaked parts pointing to a smaller, thinner tablet.

We've seen a number of black/slate shells allegedly belonging to the new iPad on the web over the past several months. In fact, they first popped up all the way back in January. But this is one of the first times we've seen a white/silver shell...

IHS iSuppli: production of iPad mini Retina display on track for fall launch

While it seems all but certain that Apple is going to launch a redesigned fifth gen iPad this fall, the fate of the iPad mini isn't quite so clear. Reports thus far have been split between the tablet having and not having a Retina display.

Well this morning we're adding another one to the 'having' pile. Well-known market research firm IHS iSuppli reports that the new mini will indeed have a high resolution screen, and that production volumes are on par with 2012...

Bloomberg weighs in on upcoming iPads and iPhones

With less than a month until Apple's September 10 iPhone event, Bloomberg has scanned the blogs and talked to its unnamed sources in an effort to dig up some previously unknown "facts" about Apple's upcoming iPhone and iPad refreshes.

Now, stop me if you've heard this before, but much of Bloomberg's reporting centers around a thinner and lighter iPad 5 with iPad mini style design.

Where it gets interesting, however, is a claim that Apple also plans to introduce a Retina iPad mini this year rather than in 2014...

WSJ corroborates iPad mini like design, touchscreen tech for iPad 5

Various sources have been mulling for months that Apple's fifth-generation 9.7-inch iPad will adopt the overall appearance of the iPad mini, including its skinnier side bezels and thinner, lighter enclosure. And as if you ever needed more proof, now the credulous Wall Street Journal is finally out with its own report.

Corroborating the rumor-mill chatter, the story reaffirms the notion that the iPad 5 partially owns its slimmer and lighter form factor to a new touchscreen technology borrowed from its little brother. Read on for the full reveal...

iPad mini MultiStand: hang it up or take it out

I previously covered two ProClip USA dashboard accessories for iPhone 5 and iPad mini, a little more than a month back. These two mounts were excellent for my vehicle and I use the iPhone mount daily on my morning and evening commute. Consequently, my friends at ProClip sent over one of their newest devices.

There are many stands, docks, and cases in the iDownloadBlog review category, but none of them operate quite like the ProClip USA iPad mini MultiStand. Using the same production process, ProClip designed a stand for iPad mini that not only rests easily on a desktop, but also mounts on a wall, workbench, or elevated surface. The case versatility is optimal for users looking for a semi permanent and portable option with a ruggedized design...

Purported next-gen iPad mini backplate shows no design change

Yesterday, we passed along a set of images depicting a backplate part the rumor-mill adamantly insists to be the rear case of Apple's upcoming fifth-generation full-size iPad. The same publication which provided those high-quality shots is back at it again, having published on Friday another batch of photographs, this time around showing off a smaller backplate in silver and made from aluminum, ostensibly for the upcoming second-generation iPad mini...

Apple ordering Retina displays for new iPad mini, contemplating colored backs: WSJ

And the back and forth continues. Hot on the heels of a report this afternoon that iOS 7 contains references to an A6 iPad mini with a non-Retina display, comes a story from The Wall Street Journal that Apple has begun ordering hi-res screens from Samsung for the tablet.

Today's clash is just the latest in a long line of conflicting reports regarding Apple's next-gen 8-inch slate, which is set to debut this fall. Previous speculation has suggested that a Retina iPad mini would be nearly technically impossible, but tonight's story says the contrary...

Apple testing non-Retina iPad mini with A6 chip, iOS 7 SDK references suggest

Despite Google's recently refreshed Nexus 7 now boasting a Retina-class 1,920-by-1,200 pixel resolution screen (check out Jeff's awesome Nexus 7 vs. iPad mini video showdown), Apple's seven-inch iPad mini by contrast remains stuck with the rather pedestrian 1,024-by-768 pixel screen.

And now, seemingly corroborating a flurry of rumors pointing to a Retina iPad mini upgrade in 2014, references a developer discovered in the iOS 7 SDK suggest Apple has been testing a new iPad mini with a faster A6 chip, but without a Retina display...

Report claiming that Nexus 7 outsold iPad mini in Japan found misleading

In January of this year, market research firm BCN posted a report claiming that the Nexus 7 outsold the iPad mini in Japan during the holidays. Google's tablet accounted for 44.4% of all tablets sold in the study's 2,400 stores during the period, besting Apple (40.1% ) for the first time.

Fast forward to last week, when Google unveiled the new Nexus 7. Google's SVP, and leader of the Android team, Sundar Pichai, took the stage and began rattling off statistics about the platform. And of course he referred to the BCN report, which we have since learned is very misleading...

New Nexus 7 vs iPad mini comparison [Video]

The new Nexus 7 has touched down in stores, and it's a pretty compelling little device at $229 for the base 16GB Wi-Fi unit. It's much improved over its predecessor in nearly every facet, and will likely become a thorn in Apple's side as time goes on without a significant iPad mini (Retina) refresh.

With that all said, the iPad mini still has a few distinct advantages over Google's latest offering. Its main advantage is readily apparent, as its screen size completely dwarfs the smaller screen of the Nexus 7. Interestingly enough, the bezel on the older iPad mini is still smaller on all four sides when compared to the Nexus 7. Lastly, the iPad mini is still thinner than the Nexus 7. By themselves, all of these advantages may not amount to much in the eyes of consumers, but when compared side by side, they all add up for a pretty intense debate regarding which is superior.

Make no mistake though, in terms of sheer power and screen prowess, this is no competition. After comparing the two, running benchmarks, playing games, etc, it's evident that Apple has a legitimate competitor on its hands when it comes to the low end of the tablet market. Check inside as I compare both the new Nexus 7 and the iPad mini in our hands-on video walkthrough.