iPad mini sales are hitting the iPad’s market position, the NPD analytical company reports in its January study. This is bad or good for developers, the App2Top editorial team was looking into it.
Shipments of Apple’s 9.7-inch tablet fell in January, compared with December, by 1.3 million and amounted to 6.1 million. At the same time, the iPad mini shipments increased by 5 million over the same period of time.
In this regard, the Apple company has changed its forecast for 2013. If in December Apple planned to sell 40 million iPad mini and 60 million ordinary iPads, now it plans 55 million iPad mini and 33 million 9.7-inch tablets.
“The absorption of the iPad mini market is a chance for us. We have never been afraid of such a development, because if fear really held us down, someone else would have implemented such a project. The iPhone “ate” the iPod, and we don’t care. The same situation is with the iPad and Mac – and this is normal,” Apple officials said.
But is it good for iOS developers?
If we talk about sales forecasts, then, of course, it’s bad. The company has underestimated them, which means that it is seeing a decrease in interest in the devices. Fewer devices, less user base, less revenue.
Whether this is generally due to the saturation of the market or the loss of Apple’s position in the market created by it is another question. Rather, we are witnessing the saturation of the premium segment. To act as a manufacturer of really cheap devices, “yablochniki”, apparently, are not ready yet.
Although, as has been said more than once, the iPad mini was the first step towards moving away from elitism. It is clear that this step had potential advantages and disadvantages. The advantages were obvious – a large audience (as you can see, it is still questionable). The disadvantages are also clear – the solvency of the new audience is less than that of those who could afford a tablet for $ 499.
It would seem that you can draw a line and say the situation is unfavorable, but here’s the thing: with the widespread use of F2P, with the accumulation of experience in monetizing applications through advertising and IAP, everything is not so bad. But for those who still make paid applications, it’s finally time to think.