Another important argument in favor of the 7.85-inch iPad

Rumors that Apple did release a small iPad, stir the hearts and minds of consumers since 2010, although at the time Steve Jobs chastened dreamers, called 7-inch tablet "stillborn product." However, not all as easy as it seems at first glance, but an interesting coincidence, the staff discovered AppAdvice, gives hope that by the next wave of rumors is a good reason.

This month has already been three significant mention of the mini-iPad, although it increased from 7 diagonal inches to 7.85. So, initially there was information on suppliers of these screens, then resurfaced rumors about the approximate release date and cost of the device, and the latter slipped on the fine details around the display frame future gadgets that will bring it closer in size to a 7-inch devices.

Please note - in each of the news focus was precisely on the diagonal of 7.85 inches. Why this size? Not 7.35 inches, not 7.7, as in the Samsung Galaxy Tab 7.7, namely, 7.85 inches. The simplest explanation of the "to not like the others" in this case does not fit. Apple usually does not rely on these abstracts to create their own devices. There is a reasonable explanation.

It is assumed that the screen resolution in a mini-iPad will be 1024x768 pixels - this is reasonable and it is important to maintain backward compatibility with existing models of the tablet. But then recall the words of Steve Jobs: "There are clear limits as to how close touch interface elements should be placed on the screen so that users can comfortably work with him. We are confident that the 10-inch display - is the bare minimum [for comfortable work with the tablet]. " To some extent, co-founder of Apple was right, because the company is not just at the time chose a diagonal of 3.5 inches for the iPhone and the display resolution of 320x480 pixels.

The density of pixels in the screen is 163 PPI, a minimum of clicks a user interface - 44h44 points. This option was removed in the course of tests and experiments inside Apple, and as shown, engineers and interface designers have calculated everything correctly, because the iPhone is extremely convenient to use, and problems with hitting the right button does not. With the advent of Retina company also adheres to all the established norms of his time, just the minimum number of pixels in the clickable area has increased to 88h88.

Now, let's calculate the pixel density of the screen in a hypothetical mini-iPad, equipped with a 7.85-inch display with a resolution of 1024x768 pixels:

The result - the same 163 PPI, as in the iPhone / iPod touch the first three generations! It should be noted that similar standards in the development of the interface Apple uses for the tablet, just the density of pixels on the screen in the iPad / iPad 2 is somewhat lower, but the ease of operation is not affected - the minimum amount of clicks a get even a little more than necessary.

Thus, the tablet with a 7.85-inch display with XGA resolution fits perfectly in the range of products and Apple will not create any problems for either the company or for third party developers. They do not have to adapt the application interface for the new diagonal, it suffices to work with the tools and standards that are already approved and used for a long time.