Google’s launch of its new Nexus 7 tablet may be pressuring Apple to bring its own smaller tablet to market. The iPad maker has reportedly been working for some time on a tablet with a smaller screen, and today’s The Wall Street Journal is reporting that Apple’s Asian suppliers are preparing for September production of a tablet with a smaller screen size than the iPad.
At 9.7-inches, the iPad sets the standard for tablet screen size. Microsoft decided to enter the market with larger form factor, unveiling its 10.6-inch Surface tablets last month. Then Google announced the Nexus 7, which is only slightly bigger than some of the largest smartphones. Apple appears to be convinced that consumers want screen sizes in the 4-inch to 8-inch range. While reportedly working to shrink the iPad, the company is said to be working on a larger screen for the iPhone.
Apple may need to shrink the price as well as the screen size in order to compete head-on with Google in the market for smaller tablets. The most current version of the iPad starts at $499, while the Google is charging $199 for the Nexus 7 on pre-order. $199 is also the price of Amazon’s Kindle Fire.
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