The size and the dimensions of the new iPad 3 have left the Apple faithful with questions concerning the tablet’s ease of handling and portability. iPad 3 wears a distinctly heftier and a bulky look as compared to its predecessor that has allowed Google and Samsung to dominate the market with their latest editions of small sized tablets. Apple has quickly moved to address the issue and the new iPad Mini is expected to hit the markets worldwide by the end of this year.

Release of iPad Mini:

It is rumoured that once the official release of iPhone 5 in September 2012 is done with, arrangements would be made to schedule the debut of the tablet although there are contradicting reports that both devices could be launched together on September 12th.

Expected Specifications and Price:

The pressure is on Apple to come up with a design that can overcome iPad 3’s shortcomings. “Sources” have revealed that the display of the iPad Mini will be around the 7.85-inch mark – slightly bigger than 7-inch Google Nexus 7 but smaller than Apple’s previous three versions that had a 9.7-inch display. Resolution is always an issue when it comes to smaller tablets and it is believed that the iPad mini will have a resolution of 1024 x 768 – similar to that of the iPad 2. The iPad is set to have the thin-film touch technology that helps in reducing the overall thickness of the pad. There are claims that a typical iPad logo will be printed on the back of the device and the expected price is believed to somewhere between $249 and $299.

Steve Jobs Supported iPad Mini?

It has to be said that Steve Jobs never publicly admitted to enter the 7-inch market but there are reports that the great man had finally succumbed to the temptation before his death. Experts have suggested that the mid-size Apple device would offer users an inferior experience in terms of web browsing, video streaming, reading and writing. The problem being that how the consumers are going to be attracted to the iPad mini when there is the slightly smaller iPhone 5 and the larger tablets. Question is, does Apple really need to step into this competition?