Away from the iPad 5 and iPad mini 2, Apple could launch an 'iPad Maxi'
Apple looks set to expand its market leading tablet line, with a new 12.9-inch iPad Maxi reportedly in the works as an extension of the iPad brand.
Rumoured to be in the works alongside the long awaited iPad 5 and iPad mini 2, the far from confirmed iPad Maxi will reportedly see Apple open the iPad line to new revenues, with the business orientated 12.9-inch iPad Maxi said to be target current notebook and ultrabook users.
Citing unnamed industry sources, Korean news outlet ETNews has claimed Apple is plotting an iPad Maxi launch for the near future with the 12.9-inch tablet a possible school and office inclusion that would rival the growing line-up of Windows 8 powered tablets and hybrid convertibles.
According to the Korean source, the mooted iPad Maxi would offer Apple “future growth, especially in emerging markets aimed at digital textbooks” as well as providing a “platform-driven strategy to dominate the market.”
Describing the ‘Maxi’ branding as a “tentative name” which could be changed, the tipsters added that a 12.9-inch iPad could make it to market in the first half of 2014 as the company looks to strengthen its waning share of the tablet market.
With no iPad Maxi specs having surfaced, it has once again been claimed that the heavily rumored iPad 5 will be officially unveiled later this year with a revised form factor bringing it in line with the iPad mini and iPhone 5. Set to feature a slimmer and lighter design over past models, the iPad 5 is rumored to host a flat back metal finish with a narrow bezel.
As always, such speculative rumours should be taken with a considerable pinch of salt. Apple, as yet, has failed to offer any indication that it is plotting a new tablet line larger than its current 9.7-inch flagship model.
Further Reading: iPad mini vs Nexus 7
Via: Ubergizmo
