by Conrad MacIntyre
By Conrad MacIntyre
Fraser Speirs on the Nexus 7:
Many reviewers have said that the Nexus 7 made them want Apple to build a 7" iPad. I disagree. The Nexus 7 has made me want a slightly bigger iPhone.
One thing everyone agrees on: it doesn't make them want the device they have in their hands. Telling.
Shawn Blanc on the Nexus 7:
However, typing on the Nexus 7 in landscape mode is pretty much a joke. The keyboard is too big to easily type with your thumbs while holding the device, and yet it is far too small to type home row style.
This is the exact concern I would have with the purported iPad Mini. The keyboard is so crucial on these sorts of devices and it seems to be gleefully overlooked by so many pundits and reviewers.
MG Siegler on the Google Nexus 7 tablet:
I’m about to do something I don’t do often — something I always said I’d do if the product deserved it. Something some people seem to think I’m incapable of: praise a Google product — an Android-based Google product, no less.
Solid review. This is one of a rare breed of balanced reviews of a tech product that is 1) made by Apple or 2) competes with a product made by Apple. This gives me great hope for the viability of an iPad Mini now that I can clearly see the use-case for a well-made smaller tablet.
The Nexus 7 back plate just doesn't clean; very susceptible to dye. The white model was a terrible idea.
Click on the link and look at the photo. Imagine if the first iPods (or any iPods for that matter) got this disgusting looking after normal use.
Ewan Spence on the strategy for Google's loss-leading Nexus 7:
The Nexus 7 strategy is based around the Google Play store, where apps, music, and media can be purchased and consumed on the new 7 inch tablet. As a launch offer every tablet will come with free credit to spend in the Play Store – once you buy something the hope must be you’ll keep on buying with your own money.
Interesting, but it doesn't really jibe with what is well know about Android's users (Gene Minster, via Apple Insider):
In other words, it appears that Apple has roughly 85-90% market share in dollars spent on mobile applications
Should be interesting to see how this shakes down, but suffice to say that I doubt upsetting your hardware partners to try and make it up in purchases from a customer base that aren't big spenders may not be the best bet.
Killian Bell reports on the new crop of iPad Mini rumors:
iPad mini will feature a 7.85-inch IGZO display from Sharp, and will start at just $249.
With that kind of price tag, the iPad mini is in a perfect position to fend off any threat from the recently released Google Nexus 7, or the upcoming Kindle Fire 2. Sure, it’s $50 more expensive than its $199 competitors, but you can bet you’ll get a lot more bang for your buck.
I'm holding my breath.
Well, when you're wrong, you're wrong. M.G. Seigler:
As for Steve Jobs implying Apple could never do a smaller tablet because users would have to whittle down their fingers to use it — welcome to Steve Jobs and Apple. Jobs saying that was just as good of an indication that Apple may eventually move into the space. And now it sure looks like they’re getting ready to.
There is just too much buzz coming from too many sources to be based on pure speculation at this point. I still feel like Jobs was right about a 7-inch tablet being a "tweener" but I'll surely be playing with one when (if) it comes out.