More iPad mini rumours, slim bezel displays
Rumours of the smaller Apple slate just won't die, this time from "upstream supply chain"
Published: 13 March, 2012
READ MORE: US | Apple | Tablet | iOS
Even now the new iPad has been officially launched the rumours of the iPad mini just can't be laid to rest. The latest whispers regarding the device comes from DigiTimes which cites sources in the "upstream supply chain". This time it's said that Apple is going to use slim bezel displays to maximise viewing area of the 7.85" displays which will feature in the tablets. According to the report it's quite possible that these won't be retina displays but IPS/FFS panels from LG Display and AU Optronics.
While there's still not a lot to go on where hard facts are concerned the speculation seems a little more plausible than it used to do. Recently leaked documents from Samsung were discovered which reference the existence of a 7" Apple tablet. It also suggested that the company would be launching the device in Q3 this year, which corresponds with previous rumours.
Apple's changing of the naming convention of the iPad with its latest offering, dropping the numerical or any other kind of identifier, may seem confusing at first though could be further evidence of the upcoming baby brother to its top-selling slate. If it has proceeded with the pattern that was developing it could have proved even more confusing when a "mini" version and its subsequent models came along.
As ever the rumours shape the tablet to be a direct competitor to Amazon's Kindle Fire with a price of around $249.99 - $299.99. At the moment it's hard to see why Apple would need to launch a smaller tablet as even if the Kindle Fire has done well it hasn't even come close to matching the sales of the iPad. However speculation is swirling that Google is collaborating on an affordable yet well spec'd 7" tablet with Asus it's possible the iPad maker senses another shark in the water.
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