iPad mini, more rumors, and some loose talk out of China

Some of the Apple suppliers, which have refused to be named, say they are working on a device for Apple with something that has a “screen size of around 8-inches”.  This seems an odd size since the Kindle fire is 7 inches, and most Galaxies are 8.9 and 10.1 inch screens. We have already written on our thoughts regarding an iPad mini, but these reports seem to be more than just speculation. I am not sure what market Apple would be after here though. Samsung already has a good lead in the smaller tablet market, and I do not see how they could out price the Fire for a share of the more general consumer market.  The reports are enough to make you raise an eyebrow though.

The idea that the seven inch screen will sport a resolution close to that of the iPad2 makes me think they are going for something in line with the retina display. However, are we to assume that the internal components would remain the same? If so you can’t be looking at much of a price drop from a full sized iPad, and it makes you wonder if it is really worth it.