Jobs squashes 7-inch iPad rumors during tablet tirade

By on Oct 19, 2010 at 8:14 AM
News October 19, 2010

Those curious as to whether or not we might actually see the often-rumored 7-inch iPad become a reality can rest assured that we have our answer: no. During a rare appearance on Apple’s Q4 earnings call Monday evening, Apple CEO Steve Jobs went on a no holds barred tirade that ran the gamut from ragging on RIM to gibing Google, and even to nudging Nokia. Amidst the stabs and jabs, Jobs quelled rumors that Apple would soon release a smaller version of its magical iPad. The pertinent point:

We’re not not making a 7-inch tablet because we don’t want to hit a lower price point; we just believe it’s too small to hit the user experience people want. When we make decisions, it’s not about cost, it’s about value when you factor in the software. We’re all about the best products at aggressive prices.

There you have it folks… there’s not much room for interpretation. According to Jobs, bigger is better and 7-inches just isn’t enough real estate to get the job done. On the other hand, Apple has reversed its stances countless times in recent history — most notably, perhaps, when it launched the App Store after Jobs had previously claimed native apps were unnecessary on the iPhone — so no one really knows what the future holds for Apple’s magical tablet.

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  • bob

    Give me my ball, I am not playing anymore..wah!

  • MushroomStamp

    I agree.. anything less than 9″ is not large enough to be an effective tablet. 7″ is definetly way to small, IMHO.

    • TheBivMan

      I almost wish my iPad was an inch or two larger. Typing is just slightly too cramped. I don’t mind it, but another inch or two would work wonders.

      …and yes that’s what she said

    • BerryGood

      Drop your iPhone

  • http://www.end-happy.com simon cabron

    “Aggressive” prices? I think “violent” is the better word.

    • cvguy

      Violent? Apples pricing makes Prison Rape seem gentle.

  • David Steeve

    Next thing, Steve will try to patent his mind or anything that comes out of his mouth.

  • always cool

    Whatever you all may think of SJ, there’s no argument that the guy’s record in releasing iDevices, proves that he’s got his fingers well placed on the market’s pulse.

    When the iPhone was first released, lotsa people said no one will buy a phone without a “real” keyboard. Millions have been sold and continue to sell.

    When the iPad was released, lotsa people said it won’t sell and will fail. Millions have been sold and continue to sell.

    It doesn’t mean that a 7″ device won’t sell, it means that it won’t sell enough to make it profitable.

  • marK

    BB’s going to devour the enterprise tablet market.

  • Android needs GPU hardware acceleration

    Steve, you’re trying too hard. Trying to bash the competition and brainwash consumers. He’s obviously worried about the competition.

  • Kathleen

    i think tethering the bb to the playbook makes the typing experience quite comfortable for the 50 million or so users who have become adept at typing with their thumbs. The 7″ screen is far more portable, it’s also lighter than the ipad so more enterprise friendly. Any news on when the Playbook will be released? Just wondering how this batch of new tablets for release in early 2011 will impact ipad sales this Christmas? IMHO I would wait and compare before committing to the ipad.

  • cvguy

    Steve Jobs is the biggest prick narcissist on the planet, and the people who buy his crap are too technologically ignorant to know it is overpriced and underperforming.

  • cvguy

    Apple makes computers and consumer electronics for the same people who thought Sex and The City and Twilight are “stylishly hip”. $5 coffe buying, $300 handbag toting, rave club DJ’ing, celebrity following imbecils who are barely able to boot up a computer much less understand it. $1900 for a laptop? A Pad that can’t multitask or run Flash? And people buy that crap?

    Good thing Steve has conned you all…3rd world Livers aren’t cheap.

  • ddd

    I buy Apple products because they just work. Even when they were underpowered, (G3, G4).
    I always had trouble with my MS systems. Blue Screen of death anyone? I have a 3rd generation Win CE device and it sucked. Battery lasted about 3 hours.
    I do not won an iPhone, as I will not be an AT&T subscriber, but I get the people who like them. My Android phone works for what I need, but it is not elegant, nor does it get OS updates in any reasonable amount of time.

  • WalterSobchak

    STFU Avenger!

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