Apple To Launch 'Mini Ipad'

Apple is to launch a smaller, cheaper version of its iPad tablet this autumn, according to sources within the Far Eastern factories that supply the technology giant.
The new machine will be less
than 8 inches across the
diagonal – considerably smaller
than the current 9.7-inch model.
It will also be cheaper, to
compete with rivals such as
Google's £159 Nexus 7.
The unnamed sources in Apple's
supply chain said that the launch
is 'very near'.
Rumours were reported by
Bloomberg and the Wall Street
Journal, quoting several
unnamed sources within Apple's
supply chain.
Earlier reports by Far Eastern
technology blogs had also hinted
that a launch was imminent.
The late Apple co-founder Steve
Jobs was vehemently against a
smaller iPad, but analysts have
long predicted that a machine
would appear in the second half
of this year.
Sterne Agee analyst Shaw Wu
predicts that the move would be
a devastating blow for Android
competors.
'It would be the competitors'
worst nightmare,' Wu said. 'The
ball is in Apple's court.'
The iPad Mini would show that
Apple is prepared to break away
from former chief exec Steve
Jobs' deeply-held mantras.
The Apple leader, who passed
away last October, publicly
derided the smaller tablet model,
in particular the seven-inch
form-factor, which is becoming a
standard for a smaller tablet.

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