The fifth revision of any product is going to lose some buzz. Remember when new iPods used to generate crazy coverage like the iPhone does today? Now even completely redesigned iPods (like the new Nano) get little mainstream attention. This is not Apple's fault - it is just inevitability, and the only way to fight it it to release completely new product categories (e.g. iPad).
The iPad Mini may be lesser in many ways to the Android 7inchers...but I think this is a smart business decision and in line with how Apple releases products. Apple knows that the first release of any new product will sell well...simply because it is the first of a new Apple product. By leaving out important features (retina, LTE, cameras), it ensures continual upgrade path that will last a few years. At least with the Mini, there is some supply chain justification for leaving out retina displays (which are probably in short demand after being chewed up by all the retina iPads, iPhones and now Macbooks). Leaving out the front camera on the original iPad (despite the obvious need for one) was just extreme cynicism.
The fact is Apple is a smart company that knows how to generate huge amounts of revenue and profits. It uses it's allure and cult-like appeal to sell lesser products at huge margins. Does this make it evil? I don't think so - it just shows it has played the game extraordinarily well.
The iPad Mini may be lesser in many ways to the Android 7inchers...but I think this is a smart business decision and in line with how Apple releases products. Apple knows that the first release of any new product will sell well...simply because it is the first of a new Apple product. By leaving out important features (retina, LTE, cameras), it ensures continual upgrade path that will last a few years. At least with the Mini, there is some supply chain justification for leaving out retina displays (which are probably in short demand after being chewed up by all the retina iPads, iPhones and now Macbooks). Leaving out the front camera on the original iPad (despite the obvious need for one) was just extreme cynicism.
The fact is Apple is a smart company that knows how to generate huge amounts of revenue and profits. It uses it's allure and cult-like appeal to sell lesser products at huge margins. Does this make it evil? I don't think so - it just shows it has played the game extraordinarily well.