Andre Yoskowitz
21 Sep 2010 18:45
According to a new research note by Rodman & Renshaw analyst Ashok Kumar, rumors of a smaller, 7-inch Apple iPad have resurfaced.
Kumar says the company will release the smaller iPad during 2011, with a Q1 launch likely.
The analyst bases his conclusions on talks with top Asian component manufacturers such as Pegatron. Pegatron supplies Apple with iPhone and iPad parts.
Kumar also went as far as to say that the manufacturer is currently assembling 20 million CDMA iPhone 4s, meaning the incredibly popular smartphone should be hitting Verizon soon.
The current iPad has a 9.7-inch display and Kumar adds that the upcoming smaller iPad will also include standard and front-facing cameras, allowing for video conferencing.
While it is unclear what benefits a smaller iPad could bring to the market, Kumar suggests that Apple may be trying to drop prices to a more competitive price point.
The cheapest current-gen iPad (16GB/Wi-Fi) costs $499 with the most expensive (64GB/Wi-Fi/3G) costing $829.