The iPad mini may well be here at its starting price of US $329, and AUD $369, in its 16GB Wi-Fi only configuration, and going up in stages to just around the double the starting price for the 64GB model with 4G LTE, Wi-Fi and GPS, and it has had a big impact.
Some are calling the iPad mini their favourite new iPad, and aside from the non-Retina display, the weight, size and full iPad compatibility are a joy to behold for any existing iPhone, iPod Touch and iPad user.
Naturally, however, there are always things that can be improved and augmented when going from a version 1.0 device to a version 2.0, so let’s get on with our list of “feature demands” for the next new iPad mini, due sometime in 2013!
Number 1 is the no-brainer of a Retina-display at Apple’s 2048x1536 resolution, but this time without adding to the weight or thickness of the device as is the case with the 3rd and 4th-gen iPads compared to the iPad 2.
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Number 2 is to not only yet again maintain the battery life even with this greater pixel load, but to even improve it – again, within the constraints of not adding weight or width.
Number 3 on the list is to invisibly add a stylus digitiser layer to the display, letting end-users write and draw on the screen with a pressure sensitive stylus, as well as preserving and improving full multi-touch capabilities.
Number 4 is to design speakers that invisibly face towards the user, something which will increase the perception of volume, as well as simply including even better speakers, despite the fact the iPad mini’s stereo speakers are not only great but an excellent iDevelopment we’d love to see extended to the entire iDevice range
Number 5 is a radical redesign and upgrade to a stunningly next-gen iOS 7 that not only preserves what we know about iOS and transfers it to the new world effortlessly, while delivering a rebooted, redesigned, full mind-blowingly up-to-date and ultramodern UI.
Number 6 is to build a second Lightning port onto the iPad mini right next to the first, or on one of the other three sides, as was envisioned for the original iPad, giving you an additional expansion and additional power port on device, rather than on accessory. Sadly this one’s doubtful to happen anytime soon.
Here are the next "Feature Demands" we'd like to see in the 2nd-gen, 2013, new iPad mini 2!
Number 7 is better front and rear cameras, given how useful a video and still photo recording, editing, sharing and publishing device the iPad mini is.
Number 8 is larger storage capacity choices, especially as Apple continues to eschew MicroSD storage options in favour of specific set storage sizes only, boosting capacities across the iDevice line to make an 128GB option the new largest capacity iDevice models.
Number 9 is to deliver the new iPad mini in both Retina and non-Retina versions, with any non-Retina version stunningly thinner and lighter still, while at an ever cheaper price, and with the Retina version matching at least the current dimensions as discussed in Number 1, matching the previous non-Retina price while being higher than the price of the new, cheaper non-Retina version.
Number 10 is an option for an A7 processor-equipped iPad mini 2, not just the predictable upgrade to an A6-class chip – something that would leave the iPad mini one processor generation behind the full-size iPad model – even though this would mean, as with Retina and non-Retina models, several 2nd-gen iPad mini versions at different prices.
Bonus “feature demands”!
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Number 12 – is to create a Smart Case for the iPad mini, styled after the version for the iPad, not just the mini Smart Cover that has first been offered – something which will likely become available well before the iPad mini 2 reaches store shelves.
Number 13 – is to re-offer the USB and SD Card to Lightning adapters as a dual-package, rather than only split into separate offerings.
Number 14 – I’d love to see an Apple designed “full size key” keyboard cover for the iPad and iPad mini… guessing it’s not going to happen though and will instead be left up to Logitech, but I hope I’m wrong!
What's on your list of feature demands for the next-gen, 2013, second-gen iPad mini 2, with or without Retina display? Please share your thoughts in the comments and let's start a lively discussion.
My review of the iPad mini is here: iPad mini: the first true iPad killer?
Another previous article: iPad mini: almost, but not quite yet, the iPad ultimate?
iPad mini: padded by PADACS with cool battery & keyboard cases
Finally, if iPad mini's aren't your style, you might want to check out why I think it's time to "Stop Whining: Windows 8's a gr8 Win, D'oh!"
