The Wall Street Journal (WSJ) reports that Apple has begun production of a smaller version of the iPad. Claiming to be “citing sources from within the supply chain”, the report points out that the smaller iPad will have a display size of 7.85-inches. This report follows Monday’s blog post on the Japanese blog Macotakara that the production of the smaller iPad has begun at the Foxconn plant in Brazil.
This rumoured device has been referred to as Mini iPad and iPad Mini, depending on what reports you have read.
Earlier, sometime in August, Bloomberg had reported that LG and AU Optronics have started production of the LCD displays. This display will have a lower resolution, and anyone expecting Apple to replicate the 2048 x 1538 pixels as seen on the 9.7-inch one will be in for disappointment.
The rumour mill has been in overdrive, with expectations that Apple will inevitably launch a product to rival the likes of the Google Nexus 7 and the Amazon Kindle Fire, at those price points. However, it may be too early to say if the new smaller version of the iPad will be priced in the same bracket as the Google and Amazon tablets.
Source: WSJ
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