With the third iPad not even being launched yet, rumors already talk about a new device from Apple, this time a “mini” iPad – which we reported about yesterday — to be released by autumn. It seems that Cupertino is out shopping for 7.1-inch screen components with the – unusual for them – intention to aim directly at Amazon’s Kindle Fire, a successful device that sold six million units in Q4 last year and is expected to lower its prices this fall.

We think, however, that this is unlikely to happen – at least not for these reasons – and even the quoted source says these “plans could easily change”. A smaller, cheaper device wouldn’t fit well in Apple’s current line-up, and we have to keep in mind the fact that, with its future iPad, Cupertino takes screen resolution to the sky, so a lower spec’ed iPad – called Mini – would represent a step back for a company that always seems to push forward(even though it could mean more sales and picking up the pace in the sub-ten-inch tablet market).

Source: VentureBeat

Via: iMore