Rumor: Apple Working on a Smaller “iPad mini”

The new iPad is out and selling like hotcakes. With all the success around the tablet and the momentum driven Apple heading into the announcement of the iPhone 5, this rumor has left some people scratching their heads.

The rumor is that Apple will be releasing a “iPad mini” during the third quarter. With reports coming from Kotaku and an unnamed Samsung official reporting that Apple was “planning to release a smaller iPad, probably with a 7.86-inch screen,” the rumor is gaining traction. Although there definitely needs to be a question raised here. Apple already has a top of the line smartphone and tablet, what is the need for an intermediate device?

Given the rumored price point of $249 to $299, it is quite possible that this move could be in response to the Amazon Kindle Fire. The device is smaller and has so far been the only tablet to come close in putting up a fight with the iPad.

Based on orders placed in Foxconn, 6 million units of the device are reportedly being made. THe question is to what market this will appeal to? With millions of people already owning iPads, why would any of them be interested in a smaller version of the device?

Even Apple themselves have spoken out against the 7” tablets in the past, saying that it wouldn’t make sense. A mini iPad wouldn’t be able to have the portability of an iPhone or the nice, large screen of the iPad. Instead it would a combined version of the two that I couldn’t see many people wanting.

Plus with the lower price point, it could very well start slowing down the sales of the iPad. Apple definitely wouldn’t want this to happen especially when it’s hitting graduation and holiday season, a big selling period for Apple products. This is still just a rumor after all, but we’ll see whether there is any truth to it in the coming months. Let us know in the comments what your thoughts are on a supposed 7” iPad mini.