Can Apple make people want iPads again?
Apple’s announcement of the iPad in 2010 heralded a new age for tablets, but that age was short-lived. Already consumers are tiring of tablets as sales decline. Even Apple is struggling to convince people to upgrade their tablets on a regular basis, and selling high-margin hardware is what keeps Apple running. The rumor mill currently points to a complete refresh of the iPad lineup with new features, new sizes, and more.
The latest leak comes from Japanese site Mac Otakara, which often nails Apple rumors months ahead of time. According to Mac Otakara (via MacRumors), Apple will hold an event this spring to announce its new iPad lineup. It will consist of a refresh for the 7.9 (Mini), 9.7 (Pro), and 12.9 (Pro) inch models. However, there will also be a new iPad variant clocking in at 10.5-inches. That seems questionable on the surface, as it’s basically the same size as the 9.7-inch model. However, it’s expected to pack the higher resolution of the larger iPad Pro, making it the crispest display available on an iPad.
The new Mini (although Apple may drop that name) is expected to be remade as a smaller iPad Pro. It will have a Smart Connector for accessories, a 12MP rear camera with flash, quad speakers, an auto-adjusting True Tone display, and (probably) Apple Pencil support.
