Apple may not release 12.9-inch iPad or 3rd gen iPad mini in 2014

posted by Michael H. / Feb 15, 2014, 7:22 PM

Apple may not release 12.9-inch iPad or 3rd gen iPad mini in 2014

The Apple rumor mill is always running full steam. The two big topics of discussion for 2014 have been the iPhone 6 and the possible 12.9-inch iPad Pro. Unfortunately, a new bit of rumor is claiming that the iPad Pro and the 3rd generation iPad mini might not see the market this year. And, word has it that the upgrades to the iPad Air will be exactly what you expect.

Analyst Ming-Chi Kuo of KGI Securities is now predicting that Apple tablet shipments are going to drop this year. Kuo expects that Apple will only refresh the iPad Air, rather than push more tablets like an update to the iPad mini or the new iPad Pro. Kuo thinks the chances are "slim" for an iPad mini this year. He also thinks that because it will focus on finishing the software for the iWatch, Apple won't be able to finish the software for the iPad Pro.

Of course, Kuo also tempered these more risky predictions with one that is just logic. He says that the next iPad Air will feature an A8 processor and a TouchID sensor. That's as safe a bet as you can get.

source: AppleInsider

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19 Comments

1. Droid_X_Doug

Posts: 5993; Member since: Dec 22, 2010

So, no new iPad Mini in October? That would not help iPad Mini sales. No one wants to buy an already out-of-date Mini after October, 2014 with the knowledge that their purchase could be obsoleted in a couple of months when a new Mini ultimately ships.

posted on Feb 15, 2014, 7:41 PM 0

3. networkdood

Posts: 6330; Member since: Mar 31, 2010

Why care about their sales? lol - They will come out with some moderately upgrade version of the ipad or ipad mini and people will eat it up because that is what cult followers do...

posted on Feb 15, 2014, 8:00 PM 2

5. X.E.R.O. unregistered

True. The only upgrade I could think about is the inclusion of the fingerprint scanner and the A8 chip and that's it.

posted on Feb 15, 2014, 8:09 PM 1

6. networkdood

Now, I did tell my wife to the air version of the ipad as she has the very first one - that would be a huge upgrade...

posted on Feb 15, 2014, 8:22 PM 0

8. networkdood

err...forgot two words - to 'upgrade to'....oopsie

posted on Feb 15, 2014, 8:30 PM 0

11. verbalize

Posts: 150; Member since: May 03, 2013

This guy is full of it... When has Apple ever not did an upgrade yearly? No company would do that . He makes it sound like 1 person is developing. They have hundred developing per device. Drama, Drama, Drama

posted on Feb 15, 2014, 9:12 PM 2

12. gunnroses

Posts: 20; Member since: Sep 12, 2012

But still the apple software is the best. Hopefully they would cut the price because the screen of the ipad mini is not as sharp as ipad air. No new release, it's ok, it's fast enough. Apple need to cut the price of the ipad mini

posted on Feb 15, 2014, 9:26 PM 0

14. Droid_X_Doug

"Apple need to cut the price of the ipad mini" Not. Gonna. Happen. Apple will stop production (iPad 2 for example) before they cut the price of the mini. They will just keep milking the sales of the mini with retina at current specs. Price cuts are something they would rather drink poison than have to do.

posted on Feb 15, 2014, 11:12 PM 0

18. ardent1

Posts: 2000; Member since: Apr 16, 2011

I don't think anyone would be surprised by the following changes for iPad Mini with Retina Display 2.0: - new iOS - new processor - new touch ID sensor - more memory to take advantage of its 64-bit processor - slight bump in battery when measured in mAh The rest of us understand that the "out-of-date" Mini comes with a 64-bit processor that is already standard in just about every *new* android tablet.

posted on Feb 16, 2014, 8:01 AM 1

19. bigstrudel

Posts: 593; Member since: Aug 20, 2012

Out of date? That might be true if the A7 wasn't a full generation ahead in ARM SoC design. Its only comparable to Bay Trail T: and it outclasses it as well.

posted on Feb 16, 2014, 10:08 AM 0

2. X.E.R.O. unregistered

Just Apple running out of ideas.

posted on Feb 15, 2014, 7:52 PM 3

4. networkdood

You think that maybe people are finally catching on?

posted on Feb 15, 2014, 8:02 PM 3

7. Diezparda

Posts: 941; Member since: Oct 23, 2013

12.9 tablet was insane in my opinion, i'd rather pick a notebook which is significantly better, more usefull and cheaper. I think Samsung made a mistake this time by releasing Note pro tablet. I think Apple should focus on iOS 8 instead, i want a tablet optimized os not a blown up phone os.

posted on Feb 15, 2014, 8:29 PM 2

9. networkdood

Nexus 7 has some great ROMs that give it that tablet UI - for me, personally, that is not a big deal, as I just like the size of its screen...

posted on Feb 15, 2014, 8:31 PM 0

15. Droid_X_Doug

I am thinking real hard about getting a Nexus 7 (2013). Best Buy is adding $30 off as a bit of an incentive. Only thing is, there is going to be a replacement Nexus 7 (8?) in the not-too-distant future.

posted on Feb 15, 2014, 11:15 PM 0

17. Diezparda

at $350 i think it was really great tablet, my friend own Nexus 7 2012 model even the older model was run very smoothly and he was installing a lot of psp games. The only problem i guess was the battery capacity and the screen size was pretty small and i think the Nexus 8 would be perfect solution.

posted on Feb 16, 2014, 7:18 AM 0

10. SAO101789

Posts: 123; Member since: Feb 10, 2014

Agreed I only have the iphone and might switch for a nokia 1020 because of great pictures. But I'm going to be focusing on getting my 1st Macbook than a tablet. If they cancel the mini it's going to be a big blow on apple. Tablets are okay in the go but be honest how many times are you going to use it for the same things you can do better on a macbook, ultra book, and phone.

posted on Feb 15, 2014, 8:51 PM 2

13. vincelongman

Posts: 5677; Member since: Feb 10, 2013

Personally, I got a 13.3" Windows 8.1 hybrid (full, not RT) 10" iPad/Android/Surface/Widows/RT tablets felt too small for productive work. I think a 12.9" iPad (ARM SoC) would be great if Apple made it dual boot iOS and Mac OS X and included a MacBook dock (with Intel U CPU and extra battery). Or just a Intel Y CPU But I don't think Apple would do that because it would cannibalize their iPad and MB Air sales.