Earlier this week Apple unveiled a new 9.7-inch iPad that started going on sale today.
One of the most intriguing things about the new iPad is it comes at a much lower price than previous models, especially considering it has 32GB of storage space (or 128GB if you want more) instead of the usual 16GB.
So they got rid of the 16GB model and still lowered the price?
It seems so un-Apple-like.
But iPads aren’t selling as well as they used to so Apple is trying a new lower-price strategy to attract more buyers and it’s probably a really good idea.
The hardware isn’t as cutting-edge as other iPad models, but the nice thing about the new iPad is it still has the same high-resolution 2048 x 1536 screen that’s great for reading.
Conversely Android tablets with high-res screens have really tapered off in recent years.
At $329, the new iPad might just attract a lot more ereading fans with its large 9.7-inch screen that excels with stuff like comics, magazines, PDFs, textbooks, and for using larger font sizes with ebooks.
Moving forward the new iPad could very well become the top tablet for reading, especially with the lack of larger-screen dedicated ereaders and the lack of comparable tablets in the same price range.
Of course there will always be some people that prefer E Ink devices for reading, but with iPads getting cheaper and E Ink ereaders getting more expensive more people will probably just start choosing iPads instead for the added functionality.
Instead of posting the usual list of regurgitated specs, check Apple’s website for more details about the new iPad 9.7.
This might just be the final nail in the coffin for the Larger Kindle everyone wants, especially at such a low price. Oh well…
That Kindle Oasis sure looks like robbery now more than ever.
The real equalizer will be when fully functional Android and iOS devices start using reflective screens as oposed to back lit.
Right now, its not really fair to call them ereaders (if ereader- refers to the type of “easy on the eyes” screens…and single function device to stay engulfed in your reading)
To me ereading means any kind of electronic reading, hence e-reading, so for me ereaders aren’t strictly E Ink devices. There are lots of forms of ereading, from magazines, PDFs, web browsing, etc, and tablets are a lot better for that kind of thing. I’ve never been an E Ink exclusivist when it comes to ereading like some people. I’ve never had a problem reading on tablets because I keep the brightness down, so to disclude tablets from the ereading conversation just because they have LCD screens wouldn’t make sense. Most people don’t have a problem reading on LCD so I doubt there would be much of a market for tablets without reflective screens. I once had a tablet with a Pixel Qi screen that could turn off the backlight and it was just a gimmick with no real benefits that made the screen look terrible.
I have the iPad mini which I always switch to from e-ink reading at night. The Kobo and Kindle lights are still too bright for me at night. I read on the mini using the night shift lighting and the black background. Night shift is the best thing Apple has come up with in my opinion. After reading on the Kobo Aura and using the larger screen I really do not like reading on the Kindle and prefer to read Kindle books on the iPad mini.
Nah, they’re only good until an update bricks your device or you accidentally drop it… I’ve had three iPads. My first was outdated in a year and couldn’t get the newest OS. I’ll stick with Eink or cheaper tablets then the iPad.
Nah, they’re only good until an update bricks your device.
By comparison with another 9.7″ device, consider the Kindle DX. I have no idea when its software was last updated, but I imagine 5 years ago would be a good bet.
The Kindle DX may have old software and old hardware, but it is the best e-reader I have for PDFs.
Actually there was an update for all the Kindles several months ago and the DX was included… I forget what it was for… I think it might have been to make purchases at their store. The article Nathan wrote about it is somewhere on this site.
I got mine updated, but I think it will be the last update we’ll ever see for the DX. My dang DX is still running strong 🙂
Found Nathan’s article on the update:
http://blog.the-ebook-reader.com/2016/02/10/older-kindles-require-updated-software-by-march-22-to-download-books-and-use-kindle-services/
I big problem I have with the iPad is no expandable storage, i.e. microSD card slot. A non starter for me.
Plus for reading I much prefer e-ink readers over tablets for reading. The e-ink screen and over 1 month battery life.
Yeah I agree e-ink is what I prefer to read with…