Apple (NASDAQ:AAPL) is developing a 7-inch version of its popular iPad tablet for release before year-end, according to multiple reports.
A report in the Chinese-language Economic Daily News said several Taiwanese companies have won supply contracts to produce the device's screen. This newspaper was among the first to correctly predict Apple would make the iPad before the iPad's unveiling. The report comes on the heels of another one last week from Digitimes, which said Apple was working on a 7-inch tablet. Apple sold a total of 3.27 million iPad tablets during its most recent quarter; the current iPad has a 9.27-inch screen.
An Apple spokeswoman declined to comment.
The 7-inch tablet is taking on greater prominence. Rumors are circulating that Samsung's forthcoming, Android-powered Galaxy Tab will have a 7-inch screen. Archos and Huawei began selling 7-inch tablets this summer. Additionally, Cisco's enterprise tablet, the Cius, has a 7-inch screen. Motorola (NYSE:MOT) is reportedly working on a 10-inch Android tablet.
For more:
- see this IDG News Service article
- see this Fortune article
- see this Yahoo News article
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