As per practice of tech giant Apple to send invites close on the heels of its events, this time too they have sent out invitations on Tuesday for an event in exactly one week’s time where the company is widely expected to unveil a new “iPad mini,” a smaller version of its market-leading tablet computer.
The invite sent to reporters doesn’t hint at what will be revealed, beyond saying that “We’ve got a little more to show you.” The event will be held in San Jose, California.
Many rumors have been swirling for months about the smaller version of the market-leading iPad, but as usual Apple has made no comment so far. Many bloggers and trade analysts have been writing for months that Apple’s new mini iPad is being readied for possible October launch to take advantage of winter holiday season sale in US and other countries. Apple is anxious to launch it as early as possible to take head on with Amazon’s new Kindle Fire and Google’s Nexus tablets, which have been receiving good response among budget customers. Some blogs which closely monitor Apple say the new tablet could be priced from $249 to $399, which could pressure rivals such as the Amazon Kindle Fire and Google Nexus tablet.
Reports suggest that the small iPad would have a screen that’s 7.8″ inches on the diagonal, a bit more than the Kindle Fire or Google’s Nexus, with their 7″ inch screens. The full-size iPad has a 9.7″ inch screen, giving it about twice the display area as the 7″ inch units.
Apple typically starts selling a new phone or iPad a week or two after announcing it. But it could treat the mini iPad as a minor product update, in which case it could start selling it right after the announcement. Apple is launching this product just to remain in reckoning in small segment of tablet market.
