Apple Planning for a Smaller, Less Expensive iPad

The tablet market is an ever expanding market, and now  tech companies have taken up the gauntlet as to which among them – or which among their tablet products – may get a better hold of the market this year.

After news about Microsoft’s Surface surfaced last summer and Google finally started selling its pocket-friendlier iPad-counterpart, Nexus 7,   Apple is reportedly working on a smaller and less expensive version of the $499 iPad. The new tablet is expected to sport a 7.85-inch screen, a significant reduction from the 9.7-inch screen display of the iPad. While the people who have had exclusive information on the report insisted on anonymity to the NY Times, they have disclosed details on the possible announcement date of the new iPad, which is within the year.

This strategy, after all, is nothing new. Apple has already done the same for its iPod range of products several years ago, launching smaller iPod versions and ultimately taking hold of the portable media player market. Now analysts and tech market executives are seeing the same trend, reported the New York Times. As an effective way to draw in customers coming from different market segments and those that prefer a range of sizes on the already-popular iPad, Apple expects to trump any attempt by direct competitors and, ultimately, to secure its leadership position in the tablet market.

Apple spokeswoman Natalie Kerris offered no comment on the report, although some tech experts agreed that this move by Apple is something very serviceable. Former manager for Apple Leslie Grandy, who now works as a start-up consultant and adviser, believes a smaller iPad may pull in more consumers, especially those who find the current 9.7-inch iPad too cumbersome for carrying anywhere.

Meanwhile, Google has already begun shipping units of Nexus 7. Amazon is already at work on a Kindle Fire with a bigger display. And during the July 9, 2012 Worldwide Partner Conference, Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer has expressed confidence on the soon-to-be-released Microsoft Surface, expecting the product to enjoy a few million units in sales.