AppleInsider Staff
Coming off an earlier report from the Far East regarding an IGZO display-sporting 7.85-inch iPad, Bloomberg cited two unnamed sources with knowledge of the launch plans who claim Apple will be debuting a 7- to 8-inch iPad later this year to maintain market dominance in light of heated competition from Microsoft's Surface and a litany of Android-based devices like Google's Nexus 7.
One of the sources said that an announcement may be made in October, the same month analysts see as a likely window for the debut of Apple's next-generation iPhone. The company's upcoming iOS 6 mobile operating system is also expected to hit iDevices during the fall timeframe.
Another source notes that the smaller, cheaper iPad will not feature a high-resolution screen like its big brother and the new MacBook Pro with Retina display though the rumor has yet to be verified.
Apple's iPad with Retina display. | Source: Apple
According to Sterne Agee analyst Shaw Wu, a more affordable iPad would undermine recent attempts at would-be competitors that hoped to eat into Apple formidable marketshare with attractively priced offerings. Currently the cheapest iPad configuration is the legacy 16GB iPad 2 with Wi-Fi which sells for $399 through Apple's Online Store.
“It would be the competitors’ worst nightmare,†Wu said. “The ball is in Apple’s court.â€
Amazon had limited but unprecedented success against the iPad when it released the moderately-priced Kindle Fire in 2011 though recent data shows that sales of the device have slowed.
Microsoft is looking to take a bite out of Apple's share of the tablet market with its Windows 8-based Surface which is set for release this fall. While no official announcement has been made regarding availability, analysts see aggressive pricing as key to the tablet's success.
On the lower end, Google announced its Asus-built Nexus 7, a small-format tablet situated in direct competition of a possible 7-inch iPad.
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40 Comments
I'm not looking for any 7" device personally for myself, but I think that Apple should do it. The time is right. One year ago, I wouldn't have said the same thing. People who want the full iPad experience, retina display, longer battery life, more power etc, will get the regular 9.7" iPad and those people who would like a slightly smaller iPad, so that maybe they can throw it in their purses, and carry it with them at all times, can get the smaller version.
But that's not the main reason why I think that Apple should release one. The main reason why I think that Apple should do it, is simply to completely destroy and murder all other 7" tablets out there, and end the silly debate once and for all. It would be a complete bloody and quite lovely massacre. Everything else would be history. They wouldn't even know what hit them.
i'm going to piss myself laughing if all these companies have been coming out with a 7 inch model because they are certain Apple is going to do the same and they want to be able to say they did it first, only to have to turn out that Apple never does because the rumors were just rumors.
and then to have Apple continue to kick their butts with the same 'gigantic' 10 inch iPad.
I'll definitely buy an iPod Touch Maxi
Spot on! And with that 7 inch iPad Apple should throw in the that digital wallet technology. Damn! You know how easy it will be to do business like that. OMFG!
Apple knows what time it is. They are probably getting their packaging for the 7 inch just right, if they haven't already.
Wow, not one but TWO articles about a smaller iPad in the same day. MUST be a slow Apple news day!