Would Steve Jobs approve?

Apple has recently unveiled the iPad mini. Essentially, as the name suggests, it is a smaller version of the incredibly popular iPad. Apple wanted “to reach out to the 7 inch tablet market…” according to the Washington Post.

A 16 gigabyte iPad 2 is $399, a 16 gigabyte 3^rd generation iPad is $499, and a 16 gigabyte iPad mini is $329, so there is a price difference, but is this enough to lure customers?

“I wanted a Kindle Fire, but then the iPad mini came out, which is definitely a better device,” said a customer at the Apple store at Bridge Street.

“I don’t see the purpose of a smaller screen, but you get what you pay for, and you are paying less for a smaller screen,” said another customer.

“Some people will love it; some people will hate it, that’s just how it goes. I think it’s a good idea, but it won’t attract many customers because the only thing different is the smaller screen,” said an Apple store employee.

The iPad mini is supposed to have a better battery life and be faster. It also implements the new “lightning” charger port, which is a smaller charger port; this frees up space for a bigger battery. The iPad mini is not for everyone, but it does bring a new level of innovation for 7 inch tablet users.

It is still early, however, and perhaps big things come in “mini” packages.