Currently, Apple sells the iPad in two variants: the 9.7-inch iPad Air and the 7.9-inch iPad Mini. Both variants could soon be joined by a larger variant, if a report by Bloomberg is to be believed.
According to “people with knowledge of the matter,” Apple is currently working on an iPad that will have a 12.9-inch display. Apple has been reportedly working with suppliers for at least one year in order for the Cupertino-based company to develop larger touch-screen devices. As expected, Apple spokesperson Trudy Muller did not comment on the report.
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While a larger iPad might not move the needle with consumers, it could help put into perspective Apple’s plan to further improve its enterprise segment of the market. During Apple’s fiscal third-quarter earnings call, Apple CEO Tim Cook said that even with the iPad’s 99 percent market share when it comes to the Fortune 500 list of companies, it only has a 20 percent penetration rate.
In addition, Apple’s and IBM’s partnership will allow for more than 100 business-centric iOS apps and enhanced cloud computing services. Finally, it’s rumored that split-screen functionality will be added when iOS 8 becomes available sometime this fall, further enticing enterprise users who prioritize productivity.
It’s not exactly a secret that the iPad has seen a decrease in sales, though Cook believes that there is still plenty of potential to innovate in the tablet space. This could be Apple’s way of doing so, though time will tell if this report comes to fruition.
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