Yes-Yes! While the excitement over iPhone 5 continues as Apple sales indicate, many customers have expressed disappointment and frustration over Apple's new iOS6 map application, so much so that Apple CEO Tim Cook released an official apology to customers for the inconvenience.
And now that all eyes are turned to Apple's next big launch of the iPad Mini rumored to take place in mid-October or early November, in time for the holidays, one cannot help but wonder if the iPad Mini will have the iOS6 map application or a new improved version of the GPS application.
From Cook's apology released Friday, it seems that the Cupertino company is working to improve the map-app on the new iOS6 program. "We launched Maps initially with the first version of iOS. As time progressed, we wanted to provide our customers with even better Maps including features such as turn-by-turn directions, voice integration, Flyover and vector-based maps. In order to do this, we had to create a new version of Maps from the ground up," according to the Apple site.
But Cook failed to specifically mention the changes that we would see in the improved version. All Cook vouched for was, "The more our customers use our Maps the better it will get and we greatly appreciate all of the feedback we have received from you," how and why - we are not sure of yet.
Ewan Spence of Forbes says that it is crucial for Apple's launch of the iPad Mini to be successful. "After a roller-coaster month with the iPhone 5, iOS 6, and the issues around the new Maps application, Apple need a solid base hit...The iPad Mini can deliver that with a well-executed launch event," says Spencer.
One way Apple can create a successful event is by announcing a "rather large features list," as reported on Forbes.com. Whether or not Apple will be following through with this suggestion is still uncertain.
In the meantime, a Japanese website posted a video over the weekend that shows a mock-version of the iPad mini. The 60 second video confirms all suppositions previously made about the miniature iPad.
These are thing we know so far:
1) According to the Huffington Post, the iPad Mini will be 7.85 inches, with a front and back side camera, Wifi, a new array of applications, better Facebook and Google Map integration. According to a Forbes article the basic storage capacity of the iPad Mini will likely be 16 GB. The tablet will also have a lightning' 8-pin dock connector and Apple's popular Siri.
2) The price is said to be between $250-$300. Apple's iPad Mini will compete with Amazon's Kindle Fire (16GB - $199) and Nexus Fire (16GB -$249).Ewan Spencer of Forbes.com said, "From the evidence today, I'd expect to see a 16GB iPad Mini with Wi-Fi connectivity to launch at $299, with a 32GB model at $399, and a 64GB model at $499."
Rumors: The iPad Mini will have Apple's new operating system, iO6. There is also talk about Apple's very own music service, something analogous to Pandora Radio.
Apple, as is characteristic of the Cupertino company to remain mum about any new product and let the rumors and speculations take over to create excitement and enthusiasm among customers, seems to be applying the same tactic with the iPad Mini. So now we'll have to wait for October (or maybe November) to see if the rumors are valid.
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