GizChina points to several case designs for the upcoming 7.85" iPad Mini. The new smaller iPad has been rumored to be launched later this year. The most recent rumors have suggested the new device will look closer to a large iPod touch, than a smaller iPad. Specifically, the side bezels are expected to be narrower as shown in the previous rendering.
Some case manufacturers seem to be taking similar dimensions into account with new case designs intended for the 7.85" iPad. As shown here, the side-bezels are much narrower than the top and bottom. The case designs also show off the Facetime Camera and a hole for the rear camera.
The iPad depicted within the case shows the new smaller dock connector, but those device images tend to be rendered mockups based on circulating expectations. In the past, the case designs themselves have been sourced from leaked/stolen specifications of the upcoming Apple device.
Other images show the usual microphone opening at the top of the device, though there is also an extra upper-back opening, the purpose of which isn't clear.
Thursday January 29, 2026 10:07 am PST by Joe Rossignol
Apple today confirmed to Reuters that it has acquired Q.ai, an Israeli startup that is working on artificial intelligence technology for audio.
Apple paid close to $2 billion for Q.ai, according to sources cited by the Financial Times. That would make this Apple's second-biggest acquisition ever, after it paid $3 billion for the popular headphone and audio brand Beats in 2014.
Q.ai has...
Saturday January 31, 2026 10:51 am PST by Joe Rossignol
Apple recently updated its online store with a new ordering process for Macs, including the MacBook Air, MacBook Pro, iMac, Mac mini, Mac Studio, and Mac Pro.
There used to be a handful of standard configurations available for each Mac, but now you must configure a Mac entirely from scratch on a feature-by-feature basis. In other words, ordering a new Mac now works much like ordering an...
Sunday February 1, 2026 10:08 am PST by Joe Rossignol
Last year, Apple launched CarPlay Ultra, the long-awaited next-generation version of its CarPlay software system for vehicles. Nearly nine months later, CarPlay Ultra is still limited to Aston Martin's latest luxury vehicles, but that should change fairly soon.
In May 2025, Apple said many other vehicle brands planned to offer CarPlay Ultra, including Hyundai, Kia, and Genesis. At the time,...
Monday January 26, 2026 1:55 pm PST by Joe Rossignol
Apple today introduced its first two physical products of 2026: a second-generation AirTag and the Black Unity Connection Braided Solo Loop for the Apple Watch.
Read our coverage of each announcement to learn more:Apple Unveils New AirTag With Longer Range, Louder Speaker, and More
Apple Introduces New Black Unity Apple Watch BandBoth the new AirTag and the Black Unity Connection Braided...
A newly surfaced resale operation is seemingly offering Apple Store–exclusive display accessories to the public for the first time, potentially giving consumers access to Apple-designed hardware that the company has historically kept confined to its retail environments.
Apple designs a range of premium MagSafe charging stands, display trays, and hardware systems exclusively for displays in ...
Yawn. Didn't we ride this merry-go-round last year? https://www.macrumors.com/2011/09/15/case-mate-preps-for-release-of-iphone-5-cases-with-revamped-design/
It's quite interesting that Apple (if the product is even released) has allowed the bezel to be that slim, because when you imagine holding it, your thumb would likely cover the edge of the screen. I'm guessing that this is their way to, if you like, differentiate the iPad Mini as a more e-reading friendly/mobile device from the original iPad, because that bezel and design for the speaker grill/dock connector is almost identical to the new iPhone.
The bezel size depends on the size/weight of the thing. the iPhone bezel is quite small. That's because you don't need your thumb to brace the device. So, a large bezel isn't automatically necessary -- it depends on the device heft.
Sure Apple tell us every year what we actually want....but im not sure we need this.
Im sure they will sell really well initially, but im pretty sure after a good run of sales, the full size iPad eat up all the sales.
Its a stupid product. Why design a tablet, tell the world how mazing everything is this size in your hand, then later on say, actually we can do it smaller too..
Its still too big to fit in a pocket, or too big to be a phone+, so whats the point in it exactly?
People with smaller hands lol?
This is exactly why you're not on Apple's product design team. Obviously there are a ton of people who want an e-reader sized device. You're views are not the same as the other millions of Apple consumers.
I mean, why are there different sized computers? different sized iPods? different sized everything.....
Sure Apple tell us every year what we actually want....but im not sure we need this.
Im sure they will sell really well initially, but im pretty sure after a good run of sales, the full size iPad eat up all the sales.
Its a stupid product. Why design a tablet, tell the world how mazing everything is this size in your hand, then later on say, actually we can do it smaller too..
Its still too big to fit in a pocket, or too big to be a phone+, so whats the point in it exactly?
People with smaller hands lol?
I have an iPad. I took it on vacation out to SDG and Comic Con.
It was great for having at the hotel, airport and at my friends house.
It was not so great for sight seeing, taking around and actually at Comic Con. Just too bulky for on the go and you need a backpack or case for it. The mini would fit in your cargo pants pocket or a womans purse, etc.
The whole time, I actually was like 'man...I hope they come out with that mini-ipad' because it would be great for things like I just did.
Sure Apple tell us every year what we actually want....but im not sure we need this.
Im sure they will sell really well initially, but im pretty sure after a good run of sales, the full size iPad eat up all the sales.
Its a stupid product. Why design a tablet, tell the world how mazing everything is this size in your hand, then later on say, actually we can do it smaller too..
Its still too big to fit in a pocket, or too big to be a phone+, so whats the point in it exactly?
People with smaller hands lol?
Perfect size for a woman's handbag though, current iPad too big for most... That's a pretty big market.
