Apple iPad Mini On Route: Smaller, Cheaper [PHOTO]

 

 

If the iPhone 5 release hasn't gotten people excited enough, there are now new reports that Apple will roll out an iPad mini, the smaller "tweener" slate to slot in-between iPhone and new iPad.

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Apple, is preparing a version of its iPad tablet computer with a 7.85-inch screen and will retail for "significantly less" than the current Apple tablet, according to the New York Times. Apple is facing tougher competition in the tablet market. Google recently rolled out the Nexus 7 tablet on Friday which was sold out in many retails stores, while Microsoft unveiled a pair of tablet computers dubbed 'Surface,' last month.

The smaller iPad would seem to be a breath of fresh air for Apple, not that they needed it, but as tablets are becoming increasingly smaller, the iPad seems larger in comparison. The iPad has had a 9.7 inch screen and a $499 starting price since its introduction in 2010.

Last week, GottaBeMobile.com posted photos of what the blog said were iPad Mini engineering photos. They show a tablet that's thinner and smaller than the current iPad with the rumored 19-pin dock connector and two speakers instead of one.

Google Nexus 7 did well this past weekend after making its debut, selling out in retails stores. The prices are considerably cheaper than the current iPad. The Nexus 7 starts at $199 for the 8GB version-putting in direct competition with Amazon's $199 Kindle Fire tablet-and a 16GB version is available for $299. According to the report, the new iPad Mini will be cheaper in order to stay ahead of the competition the Nexus and Kindle are offering.

Meanwhile, the iPhone 5 release date is rumored to be just around the corner, Aug. 7 to be exact. There have also been new photos of what the iPhone 5 will look like by blog Apple.pro posted, which show a device that is very similar to the iPhone 4 and 4S in terms of overall look and design. The one major difference is the front panel which clearly shows that the device will have a larger display than the current iPhones.

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