Apple just announced the all new iPad Mini, much to the surprise of no one. However, what did surprise people was the announcement of the fourth-generation iPad, which is like the “New iPad” only newer, so I guess you can call it the New New iPad?
This announcement came much to the dismay of Apple customers who had just purchased the New iPad when it released a few short months ago. The release of this fourth-gen model and the subsequent discontinuation of the third-generation has left Apple customers with only two iPad options to choose from at the moment, the iPad Mini and the iPad 2.
The fourth-generation iPad doesn’t add much aside from a new processor, higher resolution screen and 4G LTE support but it does emphasize one important trait of Apple. Apple has since failed to be the innovating company that it once was, leading the charge into new technologies and revolutionary designs. Instead, the company is simply releasing new versions of existing products with “new” features that other devices have had for a while.
Nothing makes this more noticeable than this new iPad and the iPhone 5. The only thing revolutionary about the iPad Mini is that Apple finally has a product that can compete with the likes of the Kindle Fire HD and the Nexus 7. Granted, this could potentially be a big money maker for Apple, though I fail to see the need for the new fourth-gen iPad.
With the upcoming release of the Surface tablet, which will run Microsoft’s Windows 8, you have to wonder just how long Apple can stay on top of the market. Other companies are becoming bold and I don’t think Apple can resort to suing them for “patent infringement” in order to keep its top spot.