iPad Mini
|
Black iPad Mini |
Developer |
Apple Inc. |
Manufacturer |
Foxconn,
Pegatron[1] |
Product family |
iPad |
Type |
Tablet computer |
Release date |
November 2, 2012 |
Operating system |
iOS 6.0.2 |
Power |
Built-in rechargeable
Li-Po battery
16.3 W·h (59 kJ), 10hr life |
System-on-chip used |
Apple A5 2nd Generation (32nm) |
Storage capacity |
16, 32, or 64 GB
flash memory[2] |
Display |
7.9-inch (200.66 mm) diagonal LED-backlit
Multi-Touch display with IPS technology
1024 × 768 px
at 163
PPI 4:3
aspect ratio |
Input |
Multi-touch
screen,
headset
controls,
proximity and
ambient light sensors, 3-axis
accelerometer,
gyroscope,
digital
compass |
Camera |
Front-facing 1.2MP and rear-facing 5MP |
Connectivity |
[2] |
Online services |
App Store |
Dimensions |
200×134.7×7.2 mm (7.9×5.30×0.28 in) |
Weight |
Wi-Fi: 308 g (0.68 lb)
Wi-Fi + Cellular: 312 g (0.69 lb) |
Website |
www.apple.com/ipad-mini/ |
The iPad Mini (stylized and marketed as iPad mini) is a
mini tablet computer designed, developed, and marketed by
Apple Inc. It was announced on October 23, 2012, as the fifth major
product in the
iPad line and the first to feature a reduced screen size of 7.9
inches, in contrast to the standard 9.7 inches. It features similar
internal specifications as the
iPad 2,
including its display resolution.
It was released on November 2, 2012 in nearly all of Apple's markets.[3][4][5][6]
History
Size comparison between iPad Mini and iPad 3rd generation.
(3rd and 4th generation are identical in size.)
Speculation about the iPad Mini began as early as April 2012, as
competition rose from 7" devices such as the
Kindle Fire and the
Nexus 7.
Rumors initially suggested it would feature a 7.85" display at 1024 ×
768 pixels. It was originally thought to be announced at the Apple
Special Event on September 12.
On October 16, 2012, Apple announced a media event scheduled for
October 23 at the
California Theatre in
San Jose,
California.[7][8]
The company did not predisclose the subject of the event, but it was
widely expected to be the iPad Mini. On the day of the event, Apple CEO
Tim
Cook introduced a new version of
MacBook family and new generations of the
MacBook Pro,
Mac
Mini, and the
iMac before
the
fourth-generation iPad and the iPad Mini.[9]
Features
Software
The iPad Mini shipped with iOS 6.0.1.[citation
needed] It can act as a
hotspot with some carriers, sharing its Internet connection over
Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, or USB,[10]
and also access the
App Store, a digital
application
distribution platform for iOS that is developed and maintained by
Apple. The service allows users to browse and download
applications from the
iTunes Store that were developed with
Xcode and
the iOS
SDK and were published through Apple. From the App Store,
GarageBand,
iMovie,
iPhoto,
and the iWork
apps (Pages,
Keynote, and
Numbers) are available.[11]
The iPad Mini comes with several pre-installed applications,
including
Siri,
Safari, Mail, Photos, Video, Music, iTunes, App Store, Maps, Notes,
Calendar,
Game Center, Photo Booth, and Contacts.[12]
Like all
iOS devices, the iPad can sync content and other data with a Mac or
PC using iTunes, although iOS 5 and later can be managed and backed up
with iCloud.
Although the tablet is not designed to make telephone calls over a
cellular network, users can use a headset or the built-in speaker and
microphone and place phone calls over Wi-Fi or cellular using a
VoIP application, such as
Skype.[13]
The device has
dictation, using the same voice recognition technology as the
iPhone 4S. The user speaks and the iPad types what they say on the
screen provided that the iPad is connected to a Wi-Fi or cellular
network.[10]
The device has an optional
iBooks
application, which displays books and other
ePub-format content downloaded from the
iBookstore.[14]
Several major book publishers including
Penguin Books,
HarperCollins,
Simon & Schuster and
Macmillan have committed to publishing books for the device.[15]
Despite being a direct competitor to both the
Amazon Kindle and
Barnes & Noble Nook,[16]
both
Amazon.com and
Barnes & Noble offer e-reader apps for the iPad.[17][18]
Hardware
The iPad Mini features partially the same hardware as the
iPad 2.
Both screens have resolutions of 1024 x 768, but the iPad Mini has a
higher pixel density than iPad 2 (163 PPI vs 132 PPI). Unlike the iPad
2, it has 5 MP and 1.2 MP cameras and the
Lightning connector. The audio processor in iPad Mini is the same
found in iPhone 5 and iPad 4th generation, which allows the iPad Mini to
have Siri and voice dictation unlike the iPad 2. The iPad Mini has a
revised version of the PowerVR SGX543 series, with dual core graphics.
The Graphics processor is similar to the one in the iPhone 5.
Accessories
The
Smart Cover, introduced with the iPad 2, is a screen protector that
magnetically attaches to the face of the iPad. A smaller version is now
available for iPad Mini. The cover has three folds, which allow it to
convert into a stand, held together by magnets.[19]
Smart Covers have a
microfiber bottom that cleans the front of the iPad, and wakes up
the unit when the cover is removed. It comes in six colors of
polyurethane, including the
(PRODUCT) RED version, only available from the Apple Online Store.[20][21]
Apple offers other accessories, including a Bluetooth keyboard,
several types of earbuds or headphones and many adapters for the
Lightning connector.[22]
AppleCare and free engraving are also available for the iPad Mini.[23][24]
Reception
The device competes with tablets such as the
Amazon Kindle Fire HD,
Google
Nexus 7, and
Barnes &
Noble Nook HD.[25][26]
Reviews of the iPad Mini have been generally positive, praising the
device's size, design, and availability of applications, while
criticizing its use of a proprietary power connector and its lack of
expandable storage and retina display.[25][27][28]