Apple is making a 12.9-inch iPad, the largest yet by a significant margin, that is expected to be released in early 2015, according to a new report from Bloomberg. Yet, with iPad sales declining by nine percent year-over-year in the second quarter, according to The Economic Times, some might wonder why.
Earlier this week Re/Code spoke with Apple CEO Tim Cook about the sales decline, and Cook went on to say that it was only a “speed bump,” implying the company has no fear of the tablets growing stale. So what will a 12.9-inch iPad bring to the table?
Filling In the Market Gaps?
Bloomberg Businessweek Analyst Sam Grobart said that there is a desire in the marketplace for devices that come in an array of sizes, therefore the decision to release a 12.9-inch iPad makes sense. While some could argue that this doesn’t sound like a typical Apple move considering the company has a history of streamlining products and eliminating variations. Grobart argues that since iPads are higher-end products, diversity will enhance appeal to customers.
Hybrid Functionality?
Steve Kovach offered a different theory in The Economic Times: that Apple is planning to use the larger tablet as a hybrid tablet-laptop device, similar to Microsoft’s Surface. Kovach points to data that shows Apple may include split-screen multitasking in iOS 8, which would be a positive addition to allow people to use the tablet more effectively for business purposes, and to help dispel the idea that iPads are only good for fun activities like gaming and social networking.
Whatever the reason for its release, a 12.9-inch tablet would not be unique to the marketplace. Toshiba and several other tablet makers have already experimented with the size, though only with a few devices. It would, however, be a big leap for Apple’s iPad collection, since the Air and mini are 9.7-inch and 7.9-inch tablets, respectively.
While Bloomberg reports that the larger iPad will be released in the first quarter of 2015, some outlets expect a release as soon as this holiday season. This would be in line with Apple’s traditional release cycle, in which the company releases its newest products during the end of the year.
Do you have any interest in a larger iPad? What would you use it for?
Image courtesy of Flickr
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