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iPad mini (1st generation)

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The 1st-generation iPad mini is a mini tablet computer designed, developed, and marketed by Apple Inc. It was announced on October 23, 2012 and released on the following November 2nd as the fourth major product in the iPad line, and the first of a new downsized iPad mini line.

Features[]

Software[]

The iPad mini shipped with iOS 6.0.1.[3] It can act as a hotspot with some carriers, sharing its Internet connection over Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, or USB,[4] and also access the App Store, a digital application distribution platform for iOS that is developed and maintained by Apple. The service allows users to browse and download applications from the iTunes Store that were developed with Xcode and the iOS SDK and were published through Apple. From the App Store, GarageBand, iMovie, iPhoto, and the iWork apps (Pages, Keynote, and Numbers) are available.[5] Currently the latest versions are 9.3.5 for Wi-Fi only models, and iOS 9.3.6 for cellular models to fix GPS issues.[6][7]

The iPad mini comes with several pre-installed applications, including Siri, Safari, Mail, Photos, Video, Music, iTunes, App Store, Maps, Notes, Calendar, Game Center, Photo Booth, and Contacts.[8] Like all iOS devices, the iPad can sync content and other data with a Mac or PC using iTunes, although iOS 5 and later can be managed and backed up with iCloud. Although the tablet is not designed to make telephone calls over a cellular network, users can use a headset or the built-in speaker and microphone and place phone calls over Wi-Fi or cellular using a VoIP application, such as Skype.[9] The device has dictation, using the same voice recognition technology as the iPhone 4S. The user speaks and the iPad types what they say on the screen provided that the iPad is connected to a Wi-Fi or cellular network.[4]

The device has an optional iBooks application, which displays books and other ePub-format content downloaded from the iBookstore.[10] Several major book publishers including Penguin Books, HarperCollins, Simon & Schuster and Macmillan have committed to publishing books for the device.[11] Despite being a direct competitor to both the Amazon Kindle and Barnes & Noble Nook,[12] both Amazon.com and Barnes & Noble offer e-reader apps for the iPad.[13][14]

On September 17, 2014, iOS 8 was released to the first generation iPad mini and all Apple Devices.[15] However, some newer features of the software are not supported due to relatively aged hardware that was shared on the iPad 2.

On September 16, 2015, the iPad mini received the iOS 9 update, but it doesn't have the new multitasking features featured on the other iPads.

On June 13, 2016, Apple announced the iOS 10 update – with some major updates to the mobile operating system. However, the iPad mini did not receive this update (along with other devices based on the A5 processor including the iPhone 4S, iPad 2, iPad (3rd generation), and iPod Touch (5th generation)[16]) due to hardware limitations.

While Apple stopping the latest iOS updates for the iPad mini was expected by many in the industry, it has however led to some criticism, as the device was on sale until June 2015 and by June 2016, no further versions of the operating system beyond iOS 9 were to be made available to the tablet.[17]

Hardware[]

There are four buttons and one switch on the iPad mini, including a "home" button near the display that returns the user to the home screen, and three aluminum buttons on the right side and top: wake/sleep and volume up and volume down, plus a software-controlled switch whose function varies with software updates.[18] The tablet is manufactured either with or without the capability to communicate over a cellular network. All models can connect to a wireless LAN via Wi-Fi. The iPad mini is available with 16, 32, 64 GB of internal flash memory, with no expansion option. Apple sells a "camera connection kit" with an SD card reader, but it can only be used to transfer photos and videos.

The iPad mini features partially the same hardware as the iPad 2. Both screens have resolutions of 1024 x 768, but the iPad mini has a smaller screen and thus higher pixel density than iPad 2 (163 PPI vs 132 PPI).[18] Unlike the iPad 2, it has 5 MP and 1.2 MP cameras and the Lightning connector. The system-on-chip is the Apple A5R2 built on the 32nm process (instead of 45nm), which is the same version found in the later revision of the iPad 2.[2][19] The audio processor is the same found in iPhone 5 and iPad 4th generation, which allows the iPad mini to have Siri and voice dictation unlike the iPad 2. The graphics processor (GPU) of the iPad mini is the same one found in the iPad 2 (PowerVR SGX543MP2).[20] The iPad mini was initially featured with slate and silver colors, however on the release of the Mini 2 the slate color was changed to space gray; the silver color remained.[21]

Availability and warranty[]

iPad mini is available from the top US carriers; AT&T,Sprint and Verizon and in Canada from, Telus, Sprint,Bell Mobilityand others. Limited warranty of 90 days with phone tech support is included with the purchase. Users can purchase an additional Applecare+ warranty which extends protection for 2 years and includes support for 2 instances of accidental damage. Under Applecare+, each damaged iPad is subject to a $79 service fee.

Design[]

The iPad Mini has the same design From the iPod Touch 5th generation. It flat on the back, similar to the iPhone 4 but has curved edges. It also has the same colors from the iPhone 5 (Black and Slate, White and Silver). The back is fully slate on the black model and silver on the white model. The iPad mini is 23% thinner than the full - size iPad at 7.2 mm, (same as the iPod touch 4th Generation) and 53% lighter than the full-size iPad at 0.68 lbs (308.4 Grams) lighter than most tablets in its category.

Reception[]

The first generation iPad mini received positive reviews, with reviewers praising the device's size, design, and availability of applications, while criticizing its use of the proprietary Lightning connector, under-powered Apple A5 chip with 512 MB RAM, lack of expandable storage, and its lack of a Retina display.[citation needed]

References[]

  1. ↑ Lai, Richard (September 17, 2012). Pegatron reportedly nabs 50 to 60 percent of iPad mini orders, breaks up Foxconn's monopoly. Engadget.
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 Apple A-Series A5R2 (iPad) specifications, CPU-World. Accessed 2025-06-12.
  3. ↑ iPad mini LTE models set to ship in five days November 12, 2012
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 The new iPad: It's a Breakthrough because it features are.. Apple (March 7, 2012). Archived from the original on March 16, 2011. Retrieved on March 11, 2012.
  5. ↑ Ankan Deka, Jim. "iPad – the Musician's Genie", EF News International, Eastern Fare Music Foundation, September 14, 2011. Retrieved on March 31, 2012. 
  6. ↑ Apple security updates (2018 to 2019), Apple Support. 2022-03-14.
  7. ↑ Apple Releases iOS 9.3.6 and iOS 10.3.4 With GPS Bug Fix for Older iPhones and iPads by Juli Clover, MacRumors. 2019-07-22.
  8. ↑ The new iPad – Amazing iPad apps, built right in.. Apple (March 7, 2012). Retrieved on March 14, 2012.
  9. ↑ Sarno, David. "Apple confirms 3G VoIP apps on iPad, iPhone, iPod touch; Skype is waiting", Los Angeles Times, January 29, 2010. Retrieved on March 31, 2012. 
  10. ↑ Patel, Nilay (January 27, 2010). The Apple iPad: starting at $499. Engadget. AOL. Retrieved on April 20, 2012.
  11. ↑ Topolsky, Joshua (January 27, 2010). Live from the Apple 'latest creation' event. Engadget. AOL. Retrieved on February 4, 2010.
  12. ↑ Apple tablet due March, to get Kindle-killer book deal?. Electronista. MacNN (December 9, 2009). Archived from the original on August 23, 2013. Retrieved on April 20, 2012.
  13. ↑ Free Kindle Reading Apps. Amazon.com. Retrieved on April 20, 2012.
  14. ↑ Free NOOK app for iPad, Download eReader app – Barnes & Noble. Barnes & Noble. Retrieved on April 20, 2012.
  15. ↑ Which iPhone, iPad and iPod touch models will get iOS 8? Find out here. Tech Times (June 4, 2014). Retrieved on June 4, 2014.
  16. ↑ Rossignol, Joe. List of iOS 10 Compatible iPhone, iPad, and iPod Touch Models [Updated]. Retrieved on 2016-06-15.
  17. ↑ If you have one of these iPhones or iPads, you won't get iOS 10. The Telegraph. Retrieved on 2016-06-15.
  18. ↑ 18.0 18.1 Apple – iPad – Compare iPad models.. Apple. Retrieved on October 24, 2012.
  19. ↑ The iPhone 5 Review by Anand Lal Shimpi, Brian Klug & Vivek Gowri, AnandTech. 2012-10-16.
  20. ↑ 16 Reasons for the Apple iPhone 5 64GB. Versusio. Retrieved on February 7, 2013.
  21. ↑ iPad Mini vs iPad Mini 2. Retrieved 10 July 2015.

External links[]

iPad (models)
iPad : 1st gen · 2nd · 3rd · 4th · 5th · 6th · 7th · 8th · 9th · 10th · 11th
iPad mini : 1st gen · 2nd · 3rd · 4th · 5th · 6th · 7th
iPad Air : 1st gen · 2nd · 3rd · 4th · 5th · 6th · 7th
iPad Pro : 1st gen · 2nd · 3rd · 4th · 5th · 6th · 7th
iPadOS : 13 · 14 · 15 · 16 · 16 · 17 · 18 ● 26
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