12.9 inches iPad Pro could hit the shelves in late 2015
The much rumored 12.2 inches iPad Pro was recently upgraded to 12.9 inches, following new leaks from KGI security analyst Min-Chi Kuo.
Apple is predicted to begin production of the (almost) Macbook-sized tablet in the second quarter of 2015, with a chance of it featuring a proprietary A9X processor, and an oxide panel designed to handle higher resolutions, never before seen in an iPad. The new design is expected to offer improved response times and better color definition.
Kuo’s predictions are in tune with the rumors, as iPad shipments are expected to fall 54.5 percent, down to 9.8 million units over the first quarter of 2015.
“The lighter and thinner iPad Air 2 will face strong headwinds in increasing sales in 1Q15...”Kuo reports, “... we also hold that this means that iPad, along with the entire tablet market, is faced with structural challenges characterized by a lack of new applications and market saturation.”
What’s Apple’s Angle?
While Kuo makes it apparent that these challenges will not be “... easily overcome by upgraded specs, new form factor designs or lower prices...”, Apple is too far into the game not to have an angle.
Some plausible scenarios is the target market for the supersized iPad: enterprise.
Taking into account Apple new BYOD strategy, with strong support of IBM, there are indicators for this new device to be a step above the iPad we have known so far.
12.9 inches, is a lot of real estate for a magnified version of iOS, which suggests that Apple might be taking its “Bigger than bigger” tagline to a whole new level. According to early reports surfaced soon after the initial preview version of iOS 8 was released, Apple mobile operating system seems to feature abilities so far only seen in Android devices, particularly multiple split screens. If that is true, the higher resolution that comes with the iPad Pro could come with a few unexpected perks.
Considering Kuo’s grim vision on the tablet market, bringing a quasi-OSX experience to the iPad might just be the push the market needs to fall in love with tablets again.