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Steve Jobs was "very receptive" to the idea of a 7" tablet during a 2011 discussion, wrote Apple...

  • Friday, August 3, 2012, 6:37 PM ET
    Steve Jobs was "very receptive" to the idea of a 7" tablet during a 2011 discussion, wrote Apple (AAPL) exec Eddy Cue in an e-mail turned up during Apple/Samsung legal proceedings. Two takeaways: 1) The iPad Mini concept has been floating around Apple HQ for a while. 2) Don't take everything Jobs said at face value. Or at least consider the possibility he might have changed his mind. The e-mail came up as iOS chief Scott Forstall discussed Project Purple, which gave birth to the iPhone.
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This news story has 19 comments:

  • Personally, I'm with Steve's original public stance: a 7" tablet isn't useful enough.

    It's too big to put in a pocket and too small to be productive with. Heck, if anything, I want a BIGGER iPad, like 8.5x11.
    3 Aug 2012, 06:46 PM Reply Like
  • Well, I'm old and I don't see too well. A smaller screen does not appeal to me. This is my third iPad and I couldn't be happier with it. I own a 55 in. TV and between that and the IPad I do just fine. Smaller is not better for me...me and all the older Apple fans that love it because it is simple and sleek. At this time of my life, I can afford the very best. Hope the new size does well, tho. Got a bunch of Apple stock .....
    3 Aug 2012, 07:59 PM Reply Like
  • interesting that you use the brasilian way of spelling brasil

    voce e brasileiro. de onde fala?
    4 Aug 2012, 03:25 PM Reply Like
  • For me, I prefer the size I have...but I have friends who want smaller or cheaper. If an new TV comes out and uses those devices, I'm not leaving my iPad at home, so buying a smaller and cheaper device for that would be good.

    Regarding, cannibalization, I generally think that companies are better off getting more comfortable doing that then waiting for the competition to do it...really, I think it is more profitable to expand the number of iOS users, who may later expand to multiple devices....margins on current iPads are half those of the phones, and they may end up selling more phones or retaining those phone customers if they have an iPad, mini or not....to me it makes good business sense....
    3 Aug 2012, 08:15 PM Reply Like
  • I may buy a Mini Pad, being that the new cell phone plans make adding additional devices cost effective but I would rather have an iPhone with a 5" screen.
    3 Aug 2012, 08:31 PM Reply Like
  • not to do with size....but had a chance to play withSamsung 10.1 tablet this afternoon. talk about slow loading.....I was in t-mobile.....price 599 no plan supposedly thinner lighter tethered to a stand so not sure about weight....felt plasticky
    3 Aug 2012, 10:14 PM Reply Like
  • A 5" screen cell phone is great, if you never have to put it in your pocket, and have hands the size of an NFL quarterback. For the rest of us guys, it's way too big.

    And what about women? Maybe that is one reason the iPhone rates higher amongst women than Android phones.
    5 Aug 2012, 11:16 AM Reply Like
  • The biggest problem moving forward in the tablet and smartphone market is that the current demographics of purchasers needs to change.

    http://bit.ly/RtB64D

    When older and more affluent individuals make up the bulk of iPad (tablet) purchases, then we risk a saturated market. Devices may be bought on upgrade cycles as replacements, but not at the same pace as the early adoption phase.

    I think what we have seen is economic impacts causing market saturation, though that may change when the developed economies improve. It's funny how so many commented about overseas sales not mattering, yet are now eager to jump on the bandwagon of sales in China. The economy in China is not so robust that it can catapult past growth into a continuing upwards arc.

    More reasonable expectations will not cause disappointment. the danger now is that many investors are expecting huge leaps from Apple in the future. They will still be profitable, which is all that should really matter. Investing based upon unannounced products is speculation.
    3 Aug 2012, 10:24 PM Reply Like
  • A 7" tablet isn't such a bright idea if you ask me. At the moment I'm using a 10.1" Motorolla Xoom, and one of the primary reasons I don't wish to upgrade is iPad's slightly smaller screen size. Why pay for a 7" tablet, when you can own a 5'' smartphone?
    4 Aug 2012, 02:25 AM Reply Like
  • For traders and "investors" I think the "take away" is that Google has delivered the device that will be closest to the consumer in their life and in their work.

    The iPad just became a laptop with a bluetooth keyboard and lacking a viable solution for a mouse.

    I've already found the Nexus 7 replacing the iPad "3" and the Galaxy Nexus (as cell phone, email and browser) as my go to device. All it needs is a Verizon MiFi and it does everything.

    The iPad is usually in a bag or on a desk nearby, but the 7 is right there. It's fast and it's insanely simple and it's always right with you.

    They used to say you don't leave the house without your iPhone, well now you don't leave your chair without the 7. It fits in my clothes, I don't have to carry it by hand or put it in a laptop sleeve, and the battery lasts ... it doesn't burn my lap ... : )
    4 Aug 2012, 03:47 AM Reply Like
  • when will everyone stop parsing everything steve jobs said to pretend
    to understand what he would have done next.
    jobs is gone. cook is ceo.
    let's wait and see what he does.
    this endless teeth gnashing about jobs is moronic. it reminds me of the moronic talking heads on cnbc
    4 Aug 2012, 08:34 AM Reply Like
  • remember brian sullivan shrieking the afternoon the new ipad was introduced. there was a minor heating problem is the device was used with one video game when tilted at a strange angle.

    sullivan kept on yelling we have something we have something

    and never another word.

    except moronic.


    and how about michelle c c calling America one giant hedge fund
    pathetic.
    4 Aug 2012, 11:11 AM Reply Like
  • If a smaller tablet gets more new consumers into aapl's ecosystem ....the more the merrier.....also having new devices at different launch intervals may even out volatility through the year...
    4 Aug 2012, 11:30 AM Reply Like
  • Re CNBC- were you watching the week they all had MacBooks (4 of them) with the Apple logo glowing (great product placement) for all to see. Then the following week they were covered up with the CNBC peacock, tho ever since then, they feel free to knock Apple products.
    Some cognitive dissonance to be found there, contributing to the general BS factor known, TBS.
    4 Aug 2012, 03:58 PM Reply Like
  • Either a smaller tablet or a larger i Phone would be nice for my small hands. The i Pad I have now is very heavy and cumbersome to use as a book reader. I see no reason why we can't have both. One size does not fit all! I think more options might increase sales and thus increase my stock value. I have used AAPL products for 22 years. My biggest gripe is the loss of good working software. i Web is just one of the most recent annoyances that forced me to spend a lot of time and money to replace. It it not the money so much as the time I have to waist finding and learning a replacement program. I know many school teachers and others who stored information on MM that have had to waist inordinate amounts of time to shift to the i Cloud. I wish AAPL would make more seamless transitions instead of yanking out from under me the working documents and process I have spent hours creating
    4 Aug 2012, 05:36 PM Reply Like
  • @Ellen
    Good comments and feedback....Apple should hear those things regarding school staff use and iCloud....maybe directly sending them some comments would inform them of the experiences of those in the schools, I think Apple is very concerned about the education market....they do indeed need to improve the situation, especially since they support their image of products that "Just Work"....it should be far simpler, or they risk becoming cumbersome like products from other companies....

    Regarding size choices, I agree, I can see by using my basic kindle (who's e-ink is great), that a small, light reader can be preferable for some things....I suspect that some customers may opt to have both an iPad and a mini as well...
    4 Aug 2012, 06:57 PM Reply Like
  • my favorite is fast money on cnbc
    the pony tail guy on the right wall over silver when slv was 40.
    "anything silver" he said.
    he has not revisited this recommendation and has never fessed up to his error. nothing wrong about being wrong but say it.
    4 Aug 2012, 08:02 PM Reply Like
  • Hey Paul...I rather like Fast Money, too. I tend to cut Dr. J some slack because of a recomendation he made a few years ago..it was pretty deep into the recession when he remarked how empty the shopping malls were..how few people were in the stores.....except for the Apple stores. They, he said, were "packed." I remember getting on the phone with my broker and telling her what ever was in my 401k should be sold and put it all in Apple. It was my very first stock purchase...I just thought it made sense....so far, so good.
    5 Aug 2012, 09:26 PM Reply Like
  • bom dia brasil,
    valeu mesmo.

    the problem with dr j is that he changes his mind when he changes shirts and there is no accountablilty.
    so good theater [giddyap is his favorite line] but dangerous and often
    terrible investment advice
    he should stick to stand up comedy
    6 Aug 2012, 07:52 AM Reply Like
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