Apple now has no choice but to release a 'Retina' iPad mini ASAP

Google’s release of the Nexus 7 for just $229 was not a surprise. Nor was its unmatched 1920 x 1200 pixel resolution putting the affordable 7-inch Google tablet in ‘Retina’ territory. Rumors gave it all away much earlier, but even without them everyone just expected the low price from Google’s second-generation Nexus 7 - it had to have it in order to be part of that family.

What would be a shocking surprise now, however, is if Apple releases its second generation iPad mini with the same 1024 x 768 pixel resolution. Cupertino has already witnessed a dramatic drop in iPad sales this last quarter, and - priced higher starting from $329 - a non-Retina iPad mini 2 is destined to fail.

With the Nexus 7, Google has made another important move, though. If previously Apple could maneuver and claim it’s got an ultra thin and elegant device unlike the competition, the new Nexus 7 straps it off even this little advantage as the second-gen Google tablet is both very slim and lightweight.

Even the last huge advantage Apple had no longer seems that big. Cupertino took pride in having the largest app store, but Google has just outgrown it and managed to be the first company to accumulate over 1 million apps in its catalog. On that background, the 275 000 tablet optimized apps on Apple’s catalog no longer look so impressive.

Stack it all together and here is a prediction from us - we simply cannot imagine Apple releasing a non-Retina iPad mini. Not just that, though. The 2013 Nexus 7 renders the iPad mini obsolete and virtually forces Apple to release a competitive product as soon as possible. Until then, iPad mini sales will likely continue sliding. Apple better hurry.