Another iPad rumor has surfaced today, but unlike the past few we've heard, this one doesn't have anything to do with the iPad 3's announcement or connectivity options. This time the folks at the Wall Street Journal are reporting that Apple has been working with some Asian component suppliers to test out an iPad with a display that measures eight inches in size. That's the word from the WSJ's sources at Apple's suppliers, who claim to have been shown screen designs for a smaller iPad. One of those tipsters added that the screen resolution of the 8-inch iPad would match that of the iPad 2, meaning it'd be a 1024x768 display. Shockingly, Apple declined to comment on the report.
Rumors of Apple testing smaller versions of the 9.7-inch iPad are nothing new, as we've also heard rumblings of 6 and 7-inch iPads in the past. Of course, just because the Cupertino firm is checking out prototypes of a smaller iPad doesn't mean that we'll actually see such a device come to market, as the WSJ notes that Apple often collaborates with suppliers to try out new designs. Whether or not an 8-inch (or smaller) iPad will ever see the light of day is still up in the air, but right now I'm not sure that I'd hold off on buying a new tablet just to wait for one. What do you all make of this rumor? Do you think Apple will ever bring a smaller iPad to market? Would any of you be interested in a smaller iOS tablet? Drop your hopes, thoughts, opinions and more in the comments below.
