Rumors circulating around the Web about the iPad getting a smaller cousin are gaining more and more momentum and credibility by the minute.

It is an understatement to say that the electronics market is flooded by tablets – it is an avalanche out there. Gone are the times when such proliferation was attributed only to phones. Manufacturers and software giants are constantly outdoing themselves to bring out better models of their own offerings every other day, leaving customers spoilt for choice. Apple seems to be perched ready to leap in and add fuel to the fire raging in the tablet sector.
Apple’s erstwhile head honcho Steve Jobs openly declared his distaste for smaller sized tablets. As long as he headed the Cupertino-based firm, iPads simply refused to budge from the 9.5″ mark. But a successful company has to adapt to the current market vibe. The buzz created by tablets like the Google Nexus 7 and Amazon’s Kindle Fire among others, has demonstrated the draw that smaller tablets have. The roaring reception form the customers and the interest that they have elicited from potential buyers have probably alerted Apple to what it was about to miss out on. Or, the smaller iPad was already in the works and the process has been sped up to field the formidable competition building up.

According to reports, this compact iteration of the phenomenally successful iPad will exclude the piece de resistance of the existing product – Retina Display. Apple is perhaps out to play the game that it is so good at – selling products from the previous generation at lower prices while unleashing a more extravagant one on the eagerly waiting fans. While the iPad mini doesn’t exactly fall under the previous generation, putting it in Apple’s words, there is nothing ‘resolutionary’ about it apart from the size shrink.

The size isn’t the only thing that’s taking a cut – the price will be lowered too. The iPad mini is expected to fall within the price bracket of $250-$350. Those who are waiting to own an Apple product without burning much of a hole in their wallets will certainly receive this one with open hands. The screen resolution will be retained from the spec of the iPad 2 – 1024X768, obviating the need to worry about the smooth functioning of apps. The amount of internal storage packed into the Mini could be a measly 8GB or a more accommodating 16GB. The screen size is expected to be a standard 7″, but there is another magic number doing the rounds – 7.85″. Apple striving not to compromise on individualism? Could be!

Affordable prices, a compact and no doubt sleek design (come on, its Apple!), a garangutan App store and competitive hardware added with that little something from Apple could well be the recipe for another blazing sales phenomenon. The iPad mini is expected to drop anytime after the 3rd quarter of 2012 begins. Keep your eyes and ears open for another spectacular event from Apple unveiling yet another product that could divert the direction of the trade winds.

Nikhila

Nikhila is a gadget lover and passionate writer. She likes to keep up with social media and Internet culture in particular while staying updated about all latest gizmos. Nikhila is a mechanical engineer-turning-into-technical-writer. Bibliophile, Grammar Nazi, dog lover, foodie, casual artist.

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