It may be the Fourth of July here in the U.S., but that doesn't mean that the rumors of a smaller iPad will be taking the day off. A new report from the Wall Street Journal claims that Apple's Asian component suppliers are busy getting ready to begin mass production of a tablet with a screen that's smaller than the one found on the current iPad. Two sources speaking to the publication claim that the display on this shrunken iPad will measure less than eight inches, while one tipster also added that Apple will be working with LG Display and AU Optronics Co. on the device's screen.
This latest rumor comes hot on the heels of a separate report from Bloomberg that alleged that this smaller iPad, whose display could measure between seven and eight inches, is due to be introduced in October. Considering that the window of time between a new Apple product announcement and its actual launch typically isn't very long, it would make sense for mass production to kick on in September to get ready for a debut the following month. Obviously the smaller iPad is still very much a rumor at this point, but the rumblings of a possible launch later this year definitely seem to be growing. What do you all make of these smaller iPad claims? Do you think that this'll finally be the year that the device makes the jump from rumor to reality?
