iPad Mini fact checking: Web screen viewing space

[jimbarr]

Apple compared the screen of the Nexus 7 and the new iPad Mini, and claimed that when viewing a Web site, the iPad Mini shows "49% more content since there are no onscreen controls."

I call bullsh*t.

Physically speaking, Apple's statement is accurate because the iPad Mini has a physically larger screen, and the browser app and the OS do not display on-screen controls like the Nexus 7 does. But consider that because the RESOLUTION of the iPad Mini is smaller than the Nexus 7, and and the pixel density is smaller than the Nexus 7, the Nexus 7 user actually sees about 7% MORE DATA in the Web pane, and about 24% MORE DATA in the overall screen. While the content may be physically displayed smaller, the Nexus 7 definitely displays more real content than the iPad Mini.

To prove this, simply fire up Chrome, navigate to the Guggenhiem site (or any site, for that matter) and take a screenshot (by pressing the Down Arrow and Power buttons simultaneously.) Open the screenshot in your favorite image editor, and crop out everything that is not the Web pane. I came up with a viewable space of about 1056 x 800 pixels. Compared to the iPad Mini's screen resolution of 1024 x 768, the Nexus 7's Web viewing capacity turns out to be is almost 7% LARGER. And the overall screen display capacity is almost 24% LARGER than the iPad Mini.

So what Apple is doing is relying on the PERCEPTION that because the iPad Mini's screen is physically larger, it therefore provides a better Web viewing experience, but what they are not saying is that in doing so, it is at the expense of real, measurable content display capacity of which the Nexus 7 has more.

 

[Shilohcane]

It would be funny if Apple used that same sales disinformation to compare their new iPad 4 to the iPad Mini..... It would be like saying their iPad Mini is useless and over priced.

 

[anon(847090)]

I was about to create a thread for this. size comparison was so stupid.

 

[a1kemist]

iPad mini has no selling point and they are threatened by the N7 and google. They had to pull something out of their arses quick or everyone would just laugh (out loud) at the Apple event.

Sent from my Nexus 7 using Android Central Forums

 

[1812dave]

but, but, but, we ARE laughing.

 

[Lazer1]

I'm scratching my head on using pixels/resolution to compare size. There is no arguing that the new Mini doesn't have a larger screen (with less resolution). Apple's Cook could have made the same argument for buying the full size iPad over the Nexus 7. Or one could easily argue that the iPhone is too small compared to bigger Android based phones. But bigger isn't necessarily better. I've got a Kindle 3 and have no interest in buying the Kindle DX, it's just too big.

What I am suspicious of is that Apple cherry picked which web page to compare the two devices with.

I've said for a year or so that the iPad was too big and that if they ever offered a smaller version I'd buy one. With the rumors of an iPad Mini bouncing around for the last several months I've quietly kept up to date with it and those whispers led me to the Nexus 7. And in looking into the Nexus 7 it led me to the fact that Google would be releasing a 32GB on the 29th. Which to buy? So yesterday I watched the Apple presentation online grateful that both Apple and Google were announcing new products within days of each other. This morning I ordered a case for a Nexus 7. Monday I'll order a 32GB 7 and live happily ever after with a smaller but higher resolution screen.

 

[Unicorn Rancher]

So what Apple is doing is relying on the PERCEPTION that because the iPad Mini's screen is physically larger, it therefore provides a better Web viewing experience, but what they are not saying is that in doing so, it is at the expense of real, measurable content display capacity of which the Nexus 7 has more.

If people buy that, Apple should make a 27" 480p Apple television and sell it to those people as "bigger is better" than a 25" 1080p Android television.

 

[jimbarr]

The only real selling point Apple has is that because the iPad Mini has the same screen resolution as the iPad 2, apps developed for the iPad 2 will theoretically run untouched and without issue on the iPad Mini. This is a win for iPad Mini users, but is it really innovative? And it just slaps in the face of Steve Jobs' comments about needing to sandpaper your fingers--Apple is retaining resolution while shrinking down the size without taking into account the actual size differences. How well will iPad 2 apps really do in a smaller form?

The good news for the Android camp is that app developers of larger Android tablets are scaling down their apps to play nicely on the Nexus 7, but Android phone developers are also scaling up their apps to take advantage of the larger screen of the Nexus 7. Another win for nexus 7 users.

Apple played it safe, and is providing what they hope will sell, and provide the biggest bang to developers (which ultimately means more revenue for Apple.) And you know what? Apple will sell millions and make billions. The Android camp, on the other hand, has to struggle with accommodating many form factors, but you know what? They are doing it. There are many Nexus 7 and Kindle Fire HD users who are tickled pink by their new inexpensive gadgets, and they'll keep shoveling money at Google to take advantage of the advances that continue to come.

No doubt, it's a win-win for the consumer.

 

[a1kemist]

but, but, but, we ARE laughing.

lol true. I should rephrase and say "or everyone would just laugh (out loud) at the Apple event"

No one can stay at the top forever and it's going to be a long, hard drop for them.

 

[jpash549]

So the argument is that with more pixels you get more content. Is it really that simple? The prediction of Apple's demise is probably premature however we shall see. Lets have that discussion in another 3 months.

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[TomsAndroid]

Awesome post! Nice stats. I do dislike the way Apple directly compared the devices in that way. I mean it's obvious that a bigger screen is going to have a bigger viewing area

Sent from my Nexus 7

 

[JustinMueller8810]

i happen to LOVE my Nexus 7 screen size because a) it fits well IN MY POCKET and b) it's PERFECT width for reading books/articles

 

[rexxman]

Did anyone else hear the Overnight America radio show early this morning? It had a segment with Jennifer LeClaire of www.newsfactor.com about the iPad mini. She was all agog about the product. She said it had a retina display? Both she and the host (Jon Grayson?) had nothing but lavish praise for this new Apple product. That was quickly followed with damning talk about the dangers of Android and malware. Mucho FUD.
I called the show and told the screener that Jennifer was wrong about the mini and retina. Also about the fud about Android. He seemed defensive and stated Jennifer was reporting from the Apple press release. Awkward call ended. I went to the radio program's Facebook page and posted that Jennifer had it wrong and provided a link to an iMore page.

I am wondering now if Jon and/or Jennifer were paid by Apple for the news story/advertisement.

Journalism NOT at it's finest.

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[TomsAndroid]

i happen to LOVE my Nexus 7 screen size because a) it fits well IN MY POCKET and b) it's PERFECT width for reading books/articles

Same. It's also more natural playing HD wide screen movies than a 4:3 screen.

Sent from my Nexus 7

 

[MJKearney]

I am wondering now if Jon and/or Jennifer were paid by Apple for the news story/advertisement.

No, probably not paid. But newscasts and talk shows often don't have staff or money to create their own original content or do proper research, so to fill their time slot they rely on prepackaged material provided by the marketing departments of companies with something to promote. It is then passed off as objective reporting or well informed and researched opinion.

Good journalism? No. Good for the bottom line of the media company? Absolutely!!

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