A smaller iPad, dubbed the iPad Mini by the media, is expected to be unveiled by Apple during an October 23 event, a source told Reuters on Friday. The smaller iPad would rival cheaper options offered by Amazon.com Inc and Google Inc.
According to Reuters, analyst have predicted for months that Apple would be revealing the smaller, cheaper version of its iPad to compete with other less costly devices. Tech blog AllThingsD reported that Apple would launch the iPad mini during the planned event.
Experts predict that the new iPad mini will have a 7 to 8 inch (18-20 cm) screen predict the iPad mini, Reuters reported. The smaller iPad would be Apples response to Amazon's Kindle Fire HD and Google's Nexus 7, which both have 7-inch screens and sell for $199.
The Apple Oct. 23 event will occur just days before Microsoft Corp's Oct. 26 event, where the consumer device company will unveil Windows 8 and its Surface tablet.
Topeka Capital analyst Brian White told Reuters that he had seen the smaller iPad while visiting suppliers in Asia. "We actually had the opportunity to play with a pilot iPad Mini used by one of the vendors. This 7.85-inch iPad Mini fit our hands like a glove and we were easily able to tuck the device in our sport coat, offering consumers a more mobile iPad experience for certain use cases."
According to USA Today, the iPad Mini will retail between $200-$250, will support a Wi-Fi connection and will feature a 7.85-inch display with a lower resolution than the latest iPad released.
The October 23 event is an invitation-only event that is rumored to take place at Apple's Cupertino, Calif. headquarters.
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