Rumours run amok in technology manufacturing, and few moreso than in the mobile technology industry. When the prestigious Wall Street Journal notes possible developments, however, few ignore the information. When the WSJ notes something about Apple’s possible research, we pay even closer attention, for not only is the Wall Street Journal an important publication in its own right, but Apple’s R & D details are rarer than blizzards in the Sahara Desert.
One such story leaked, though. According to sources close to Apple, Inc, the Cupertino, Calif., company is considering manufacturing a smaller iPad, one in the eight-inch range. The miniaturisation is unusual for Apple, for there is a fair market saturation of tablets in the mid-size range already.
The smaller tablet is reported to hold the same resolution as its larger brother, which makes perfect sense, since Apple wants as much cross-device compatibility as possible. Apps, features and enhancements can be sold per-device instead of per-platform tweak. Developers are encouraged by potential exposure on more devices than they are with the prospect of creating multiple versions for each device type. Also, the Apple watchdogs would approve one app, for example, instead of the different multiples, reducing potential workload.
Whether an additional rumour is attached to this smaller phantom tablet – literally – or not, Apple may be looking for a docked device that, like other tablets, smudge the line between tablets and laptops by offering a docking keyboard accessory.
Whilst the Wall Street Journal was careful to categorise the source for the smaller tablet leak as one
“close to”
…Apple, it’s not unusual at all for a company to leak its own information. Therefore, Apple might be setting up the foundations for a supplemental tablet release in the Autumn, as it did for the iPhone 4 S. If so, expect a possible formal announcement from Apple at their developers conference at the end of June.
