An 8-inch iPad is rumoured to make its way into consumer's hands.
Apple Inc. is working with component suppliers in Asia to test a new tablet computer with a smaller screen, reports the Wall Street Journal.
The smaller component will compete with Amazon's 7-inch Kindle Fire, the Samsung Galaxy Tab, Barnes & Noble's Nook Tablet and Motorola's Xyboard tablets.
Apple released the first iPad in April 2010, and sold 3 million in 80 days. By the release of the iPad 2 in March 2011, more than 15 million iPads had been sold.
Apple's latest tablet, the iPad 2, comes with a 9.7-inch screen. It was launched last year.
To give an example of cost, Amazon.com's Kindle Fire has a 7-inch screen size and is priced at $199. An iPad's entry-level price is $499.
