A seven-inch version of the Apple iPad is to hit shops before Christmas, according to a report by Taiwanese media.
The Economic Daily News, a Chinese newspaper-language newspaper based in Taiwan, is claiming that a smaller version of the Apple iPad (we are going out on a limb and calling it the iPad 2) is already in pre-production and could be this year's surprise Christmas hit.
Christmas release?
The article, according to Macworld, states that a number of Taiwanese companies have won the rights to develop components for the Apple iPad 2, with Chimei Innolux supplying a seven-inch screen which utilises the same in-plane switching technology the iPad uses. Currently the iPad has a 9.7-inch screen.
The Economic Daily News is also stating that Compal Electronics have been enlisted to assemble the iPad 2.
Given Apple's track record for major releases, a Christmas release does seem doubtful. If the rumours about a smaller iPad are true, then it is more likely that the company is getting its stuff together early for next year's WWDC in June.
Saying that, the Economic Daily News has a decent track record in predicting Apple-related releases.
It was one of the first to rightly note that Apple was working on a tablet device in the first place.
Via MacWorld
Your comments (12) Click to add a new comment
nitrofan
August 18th 2010
12. These things will be worthless, as soon as the first Android devices arrive and show what a slate should and can do.
So if really do believe in form over function just wait until Jan 2011 you will be able to pick these up for next to NOTHING!!!
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mohai
August 17th 2010
11. Haha yeah iPad Nano or iPod touch large xD
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not_the_messiah
August 17th 2010
10. I am pinning my hopes and aspirations on the Notion Ink Adam - appears to do everything the yPad should have done on paper...
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bradavon
August 17th 2010
9. Surely it's just going to be a smaller version of the iPad. Like Apple later release different storage sizes for their iPods.
I imagine it will be the same name and no big announcement. This is a good idea though. 10" is too big for a tablet.
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backstroker
August 17th 2010
8. Apple may have made oodles of cash from iPad Mk 1, but in practice it's too big and heavy to cart around or hold with one hand for any length of time(however much Jake Humphrey waves it around). The zeitgeist is 7 inch or thereabouts. And what's the betting that the iPad 2 comes with all that connectivity missing from v1?
Still, I expect the Mk1 fanboys will happily throw more money Mr. Jobs's way.
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mrdjmo
August 17th 2010
7. Umm another product being released already.
If this is correct maybe we might be seeing the iPhone 5 abit sooner than expected??
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anon
August 17th 2010
6. You still won't get me forking out on a minature version of something that doesn't multi-task, can't store more than 64gig, has no USB ports or SD card slots, can't use Flash on the web, doesn't have a webcam, can't install any third party software from CD, can't type from a keyboard and can't be upgraded.
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cheysuli
August 17th 2010
5. The iHopeItsCheaperButIWontHoldMyBreath
We already have Mister Magoo's iPod, so why another?
Add a camera or two, some mashable buttons on the back and lower the purchase price to something sub £300 and you've got a winner in the handhold console market.
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not_the_messiah
August 17th 2010
4. iCashCow? iSellOut?
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scottbristoluk
August 17th 2010
3. It'll be called the iPod touch large.
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not_the_messiah
August 17th 2010
2. Lame, lame, lame, lame, lame, lame, LAME!
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adamh128
August 17th 2010
1. I suspect Mr Jobs just wants to milk us for all we have - so I think it's likely to be an iPad mini rather than an iPad 2.
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