Apple resort to refurbished iPad Mini

Apple cannot keep selling premium tablets, considering the onslaught of Android based tablets which are cheaper. It has now begin selling refurbished iPad Mini.

As it stands, the only model that's currently available is the 16GB iPad mini with Wi-Fi + Cellular for Verizon in black. In refurbished trim, it's selling for $429, which is $30 less than retail (a 6 percent savings). That's not exactly a significant price break, but it's about the cheapest you'll find, and it comes straight from Apple. It's worth noting that even though it's refurbished, it's like getting a brand new device. It comes with a fresh new battery and outer shell, and all the retail trimmings, including a 1-year warranty. 

Source: Hot Hardware

It is still more expensive than Google Nexus 7 or Kindle Fire or Asus MeMO Pad, but you get Apple quality product and ecosystem.

Image Credit : Apple

Apps Marketplace Need to Filter Its Apps

Privacy is a major concern right now. Social media and mobile apps are arriving in droves daily. To use them, we do need to provide real life information. It is therefore prone to misuse by the apps providers. A recent article from The Droid Guy indicates that "iOS Apps Collect More Personal Information than Android apps, says Study".

A good take from the article is that both Google and Apple can actually do something about it by filtering apps to use only what is needed.

Apps on App Store as well as Play Store, generally take up more permissions from user than required. For instance- Why does a shooting game need permission to read SMS/ make calls? Why does a newsreader app require permission to capture photos? If Apple and Google could filter the permission owned by each and every app and make sure they only do what they intend to do, maybe we would have less privacy concerns. Also, while downloading/installing, apps should clearly mention what permissions they need and why they need it. Everything should be mentioned in plain, easy-to-understand language. Most people don’t understand complex tech jargons. And, Apple as well as Google should devise mechanisms that prevents apps from identifying user preferences and collecting personal data. 

Source: The Droid Guy

I completely agree with that article, it is the Apps Marketplace Owner task to filter them and requires that apps use permission that is needed. But, I do not think any of them will do it. It takes too much time and strict requirements means less apps.

What Price Is Expensive For Tablets

Here is a very interesting article on tablet price from SlashGear titled "At What Point Do Tablets Become Too Expensive?".

Apple have always been known to produce high quality products at a premium price. But how high will the customer be willing to pay ?

When I first learned that Apple was planning to sell a 128GB iPad, I was excited. For years now, I’ve been waiting for a company to deliver ample storage for all of my videos and movies, and now, Apple is doing it. Although 64GB was nice, it wasn’t enough for someone like me who has all kinds of video. With 128GB, I should be good for at least the next couple of years. 

But then I saw the price. For the Wi-Fi-only version of the 128GB iPad, I’d need to drop $799. For the Wi-Fi-and-cellular model, I’d be set back $929. 

Needless to say, those prices gave me more than just a little sticker shock. Yes, I realize that I’m getting double the storage for only $100 more than the 64GB option, but I can’t help but think that paying nearly $1,000 for a tablet is ridiculous. I’m all for paying a fair price for a high-quality product, but dropping that much cash makes me wonder why I just don’t buy a notebook and be done with it.

Perhaps Apple is killing itself slowly by capitalizing on its own strength ? Who knows...

Android Tablet in the meantime keeps getting cheaper with better quality.