iPad, iPhone, iLost the plot...
With rumours of an iPad mini in full circulation I am going to safely assume that Apple's potential new bottom end device will not be as cheap as it's main competitors. We're looking at a device that will no doubt be missing a retina display, be made from cheaper components (well, duh!) and may have potential issues scaling and optimising apps and games that are built for the current size iPad screens not to mention those that are optimised fully to take advantage of the beautifully crisp retina display on the new iPad. How will it cope downscaling resolutions?
A 7inch iPad has great potential to compete well against the awesome kindle fire and the array of other smaller form factor Android tabs kicking around. The main problem with the Android devices is that there are so many with different specs, resolutions etc etc. Some things aren't compatible, there are 4 major versions (give or take a fair few that aren't "legit") running on an array of great and not so great devices so this leads to some things not working on the shiny new Arnova or Asus you just picked up so you can play Angry Birds on the shitter. This is where Apple have it nailed. Their iOS devices are pretty much only available in three flavours. iPad, iPod and iPhone. The 7" model will no doubt be compatible but I can't help but reference the scaling issues I found (And the borders) with the iPhone 5. The new form factor might mean losing out on some of the better games out there.
What's the trade off with the "Cheap" slate?
There has to be a catch.
As soon as I get my hands on one I'm going to throw Infinity Blade at it and see if it crys!
