The iPad mini may debut as a Wi-Fi only device, and the iPad 3 revision iMore revealed back in August may be compatible with International LTE frequencies, just like the iPhone 5. This according to [the Guardian]'s(http://www.guardian.co.uk/technology/2012/oct/09/ipad-mini-wifi-uk-4g) Charles Arthur:
Industry sources indicated to the Guardian that they do not expect to see 3G-capable versions of the iPad mini. That would allow Apple to produce it comparatively cheaply and to limit the top price of the product, while retaining mobile broadband connectivity for its pricier iPad line.
Both the original and new 7-inch Kindle Fire and the Nexus 7, the primary competition for the rumored iPad mini, lack a cellular option. Apple has also thus far resisted including cellular connectivity in the iPod touch line. The original iPad was announced with both Wi-Fi and 3G, but the 3G version took an extra month to be released. The suggestion seems to be that Apple would use cellular as a way to push buyers towards the bigger iPad. However, not having cellular on a tablet device, even a mini-sized one, would be incredibly annoying. So, hopefully, at worst we'll be looking at a staggered release like the original iPad, and at best the same old $130 up-sell as the rest of the iPad line.
Given what we’ve heard about the size of the iPad mini, a cellular version of the device would be vary attractive to those who want something bigger than their phone with them when they’re out and about. It would also give Apple’s smaller tablet a distinct advantage over competition from Amazon and Google.
The Guardian also repeats rumors iMore has been hearing since August, namely that the iPad 3 will be refreshed at the same time. iMore has already mentioned the Lightning connector, new, cooler internals, and potential LTE chipset update, but the Guardian adds that such an LTE update would also allow the new iPad 3 to work on international LTE frequencies, like Europe. (The current iPad 3 only offers North American LTE.)
Would lack of cellular on an iPad 3 be a deal-breaker for anyone?
Source: The Guardian
 |  |
Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/TheIphoneBlog/~3/6yDUfAZ94yA/story01.htm
No comments:
Post a Comment