The Real Reason An iPad mini With Retina Display Is Coming Early
August 2, 2013
Earlier this week, The Wall Street Journal reported that Apple would release a Retina display iPad mini this fall. Better still, those beautiful displays are said to be coming from Apple’s biggest competitor, Samsung Electronics. Prior to this, the expectation was that Cupertino would hold off releasing a Retina display iPad mini until 2014 due to supply issues.
So why the apparent schedule change? Google forced Apple’s hand, according to ZDNet.
On July 24, Google announced the Chromecast, a $35 streaming media device for HDTVs. However, this wasn’t the only product Google announced that day. They also unveiled the second-generation Nexus 7 to take on Apple’s industry-leading iPad mini.
As ZDNet notes:
… Google announced the successor to the Nexus 7 tablet, with an upgraded 1920 x 1200 pixel (323 PPI) screen, a jump from 1290 x 800 pixels (216 PPI) screen on the 2012 model. The screen has been getting high marks from critics and stealing mind share from the iPad mini's (non-Retina) 1024-by-768 pixel (163 PPI) screen. Which is admittedly anemic in comparison.Eight days after Google’s announcement, The Wall Street Journal just so happened to announce an earlier release for a Retina display iPad mini. As ZDNet explains, “That’s no accident, my friend.” They go on:
Apple realized that it stood to lose millions in iPad sales to the new Nexus 7 2 with its flashy high-resolution screen and it leaked the Retina iPad mini story to the WSJ to freeze the market. The rumor will slow Nexus 7 2 sales to a crawl because most intelligent consumers will wait for the Apple announcement before buying a Nexus 7. Especially those with iTunes accounts.In other words, Apple just turned the Nexus 7 into “a frozen turkey.” I’m often asked who does the best job of reporting on Apple rumors that turn out to be true. My answer is always the same. When The Wall Street Journal reports something, take it to the bank. Therefore, expect an iPad mini with Retina display to launch in September or October. Now, if we could just find out what Apple had to do to convince Samsung to supply those Retina displays … See also: AU Optronics Is Out As iPad mini 2 Display Provider, and Reliable KGI Securities Analyst Predicts No iPad mini 2 For This Fall.