Smaller iPad in 'testing stage,' says research firm

Smaller iPad in 'testing stage,' says research firm
Related storiesDon't discount Apple's interest in a smaller iPad, says analystApple Mini-iPad rumor cites Kindle FireIf a so-called iPad-Mini materializes, analysts expect it to have a 7.85-inch display compared with the iPad 2's 9.7-inch screen. TrendForce also offered its forecast for the 2012 tablet market, which is expected to grow 53 percent over 2011 to 94.4 million units.Apple will control the lion's share of the market due to its technological lead. "Apple's high tablet market share can be attributed to its tablet competitors failing to catch up with the iPad's advancements," TrendForce said.And the iPad 3 will only solidify this trend. "The iPad 3 will further secure [Apple's] leading status," TrendForce said. "The only concern is that iPad 3's high resolution panel comes with a low yield rate; whether or not the panel production will be enough to supply the market demand remains to be seen."