14 DAY TRIAL // A report by a Chinese newspaper seems to corroborate rumors that Apple is on track to release a second version of its successful tablet computer, the iPad.
Sky News cites the Economic Daily News as saying that Taiwanese manufacturers have been contracted by Apple to provide smaller components for a small form factor iPad, featuring a 7-inch screen
The current iteration boasts a 9.7-inch display.
The Chinese publication reportedly predicted the specifications of the original iPad months before anyone else. Those predictions proved to be accurate, following the tablet’s launch.
According to the information obtained by the Economic Daily News, Chimei Innolux will be responsible with supplying the seven-inch LCD screens.
These reportedly use the same IPS (in-plane switching) technology found in the original iPad. The technology allows accurate viewing from different angles.
It is yet unclear what the paper means by reporting that "Touchscreen technology for the screens will come from Cando Corporation," although the paper manages to confirm an additional supplier by mentioning this.
The source believes Apple is planning to have the iPad “nano” ready for sale this December, in time for the holiday shopping season.
A blogger is quoted by Sky News as saying that Apple’s new iPad may prove to be a huge hit, should it become the iPad nano of tablets.
Nothing would please Apple more, with the iPod line being responsible for jump-starting the company’s business at the beginning of this decade.
Furthermore, this new iPad is said to be 200 grams lighter than the current version, making it more portable, thus more appealing to those who need a multi-purpose device on the go.
The current iPad has been touted as an overall great device, although some find it difficult to carry around.
In most cases, the device also requires the user to employ a protective sleeve. A smaller iPad would be less dependent of such accessories, and would fit well in a medium-sized shoulder bag, with at least one inner pocket.