iOS 7 Beta Suggests Non-Retina A6-Powered iPad Mini in DevelopmentAccording to the iOS 7 beta, Apple is testing a new iPad mini model that includes an A6 chip -- the same as the current iPhone 5 -- and a non-retina display, reports 9to5Mac. The information was sent to the site by developer Nick Frey, who found the details inside a file that lists all the iOS devices that support iOS 7. The A6 processor would be a logical upgrade for the iPad mini, advancing its main processing chip to the next generation. According to the provided information, Apple is considering three new iPad mini models: iPad “2,8,” iPad “2,9,” and iPad “2,10.” The respective code names for the devices are J75, J76, and J77. This points to one WiFi-only model and two cellular-compatible models (just like the current iPad minis). […] As for what these new iPad minis will feature, the references state that the devices include the “s5l8950x” processor. This is the same A6 system-on-a-chip inside of Apple’s iPhone 5, and this would offer significant speed improvements for the iPad mini compared to the current A5-based model.Current iPad mini models are nicknamed '2,5'; '2,6'; and '2,7'. 9to5Mac also notes that the models don't include references to '@2x' code that relates to Retina-display supported artwork -- that code is included in the iPhone 5 and the fourth-generation iPad, leading the site to conclude that the new mini will not include a Retina display. KGI Securities analyst Ming-Chi Kuo has vacillated in recent months over Apple's plans for the iPad mini, most recently saying that a Retina-equipped device would launch sometime in March or April of 2014, with Apple not planning to upgrade the device at all until that time. It's possible that this non-retina iPad mini is merely a device in testing, but while Kuo has a strong track record, it's always possible that Apple could change product release plans at the last minute. Recent Mac and iOS Blog Stories • Apple Reminds Customers in Some U.S. States of Upcoming Sales Tax Holidays • Mobile Word Processor 'Quip' Launches for iOS • Google Ending Support for Google Catalogs on iOS and Android August 15 • FileMaker Discontinuing Bento for Mac and iOS as of September 30 • Isis to Roll Out National NFC Payment Service This Year With iPhone Support • Vintage Video of Movie Critics Siskel and Ebert Reviewing Apple Commercials Surfaces Online • Apple to Open New Retail Store in Italy on August 3 • Kindle for iOS Updated with In-App Sample Search and Downloads
http://www.macrumors.com/2013/07/31/ios-7-beta-suggests-non-retina-a6-powered-ipad-mini-in-development/
