Rumors of an iPad mini have been revived once again today after a Technology Business Research analyst said Apple will launch two new products at its upcoming iPad event. And when we say “new,” we don’t mean a next-generation refresh — we mean something brand new.
Those products are expected to be a new case accessory that features an integrated keyboard (about time!), and a smaller 7-inch iPad.
Ezra Gottheil told Computerworld in an interview this week he expects Apple’s iPad to be accompanied by a smaller sibling when it gets its unveiling, contradicting Steve Jobs’s belief that 7-inch tablets are just too small.
“I believe that’s always been in the plan,” Gottheil said. “Actually that’s a good form factor for some users, and although they will also charge a premium above other similar-sized tablets, they want to protect that price flank.”
While Steve did believe that 7-inch tablets were too small, that was before smaller, cheaper devices like the Kindle Fire became real rivals to the iPad. It’s possible the company has now identified the demand for these devices and has changed its mind. After all, it wouldn’t be the first time Apple launched a product contradicting a previous belief.
Earlier reports claimed the smaller device would feature the same resolution as the iPad 2, allowing it to run existing iPad apps in high-resolution.
[via Boy Genius Report]
