According to the Korea Times, Samsung has confirmed that the oft-rumored "iPad Mini" is in fact coming later this year.
The tablet will be 7.85-inches and the official allegedly said that Apple will buy $11 billion worth of components for their range of devices this year. The current contract is for $9.7 billion worth of hardware, but Apple will need more display panels, flash storage and chips.
Last year, Apple purchased about $8 billion in parts from Samsung, making it the largest single customer of the manufacturer.
By creating a smaller form factor iPad, Apple will directly compete with Amazon, which has sold over 5 million Kindle Fire tablets since launch in November, taking a strong majority share at that size.
The smaller iPad will sell at $249 or $299, making it more expensive than the Kindle Fire, but certainly within striking distance given Apple's brand power.
Last year, Apple purchased about $8 billion in parts from Samsung, making it the largest single customer of the manufacturer.
By creating a smaller form factor iPad, Apple will directly compete with Amazon, which has sold over 5 million Kindle Fire tablets since launch in November, taking a strong majority share at that size.
The smaller iPad will sell at $249 or $299, making it more expensive than the Kindle Fire, but certainly within striking distance given Apple's brand power.
