Apple could be looking to compete head-on with Samsung's Galaxy Note line-up of tablets, as rumors surrounding the next-gen iPads hint at a stylus. Rumors are rife that the iPad mini 2 and iPad 5 will come with an S Pen-like stylus in tow.
According to an IBTimes report, taking the cue from Samsung, Apple's impending tablets will tout a stylus as well.
"Apple's upcoming tablets will feature a stylus just like Samsung Galaxy Note series, reports forecasting the new gadgets indicated," reports IBTimes. "Apple seems to be eager in battling with Samsung with its rumored plans of releasing its latest tablets with stylus similar to the S-Pen included in some Samsung tablets."
Samsung's Galaxy Note series is extremely popular with consumers, especially owing to the trademark S Pen stylus the tablets in the line-up pack in. The stylus helps users in note-taking and an array of apps are specially designed for use with the S Pen.
Considering the iPad has a wide selection of great drawing apps, a stylus would enhance the popularity of the tablet.
Rumor has it that the iPad mini 2 will sport a 7.9-inch Retina Display with a resolution of 2048 x 1536. This resolution is four times better than that of the iPad mini and is equivalent to that of the iPad 4. Under the hood, the iPad mini 2 is expected to take things up a few notches and will either run on the A6X processor found on the iPad 4 or the new A7 processor that is in the works.
Rumors also suggest that Apple is looking to reduce the thickness of the iPad mini 2 and could deploy Sharp's IGZO technology in its screens.
The iPad 5, on the other hand, is rumored to have no bezels and will be sleeker than its predecessors. It will also take a cue from smaller sibling iPad mini when it comes to design sensibilities and could have an aluminum back. Speculations also point to the iPad 5 featuring a vibrating mode for message alerts and haptic feedback. The fifth-gen tablet will likely tout wireless charging as well, be powered by the new A7 processor and come with iOS 7 out of the box.
With Apple CEO Tim Cook disclosing that new iDevices will release in the fall, an October release for the iPad 5 seems to be a realistic one.
According to IBTimes, the iPad mini 2 will see a December and not October release.
"iPad 5 is set for release in October; while the iPad Mini 2 will be released in Christmas. Apple may have decided to make a solo launch for both tablets due to the popularity of iPad Mini," reports IBTimes.
With Apple gearing up to throw the gauntlet to rivals, it will be interesting to see if the rumored stylus on the iPad mini 2 and iPad 5 will give a further fillip to the popularity of the tablets.
