A new report by Bloomberg states Apple"s long-rumored iPad Mini will arrive in October. The report cites "four people familiar with the plans" as its sources.
In addition to the launch month, Bloomberg also claims the new iPad will feature a 7.85-inch screen (compared to the normal iPad"s 9.7-inch screen). The report states the screens will be manufactured by LG Display and AU Optronics; TPK Holding and Yeh Chang Technology (a Foxconn subsidiary) will supply the lamination coating for the new tablet. Three of the sources said that Sharp could eventually manufacture screens for the iPad Mini, although it would not be an initial supplier.
When Bloomberg contacted Carolyn Wu, a spokeswoman for Apple, she declined to comment.
Rumors of Apple"s iPad Mini have heated up in recent months, including reports of how the tablet will supposedly look. Previous reports had indicated the iPad Mini would be announced alongside the next version of Apple"s iPhone sometime next month, although a more recent report corroborates the October launch. The smaller iPad is reportedly being manufactured to take on Amazon"s Kindle Fire, the most popular Android tablet, as well as other 7-inch tablets. In addition to being smaller, the iPad Mini would also feature a price tag much lower than its larger counterpart.
Source: Bloomberg