The tablet market has found a new niche in smaller, more portable devices, with multiple rumours pointing to new, smaller offerings coming soon from some of the major players. We\u2019ve already seen Google\u2019s Nexus 7 tablet come in with a smaller size and price tag, but now it looks like we may be seeing more compact versions of both the iPad and the Kindle Fire.<\/p>\n
Reports are saying that Amazon has ordered 2 million units from Quanta, who manufactured the original Kindle, and that the new device could be making an appearance as early as this month.<\/p>\n
More rumours predict multiple models of Amazon\u2019s Kindle Fire 2, with several different 7-inch versions; with and without a camera, and one with 4G. There\u2019ll also apparently be an 8.9 inch model sporting an impressive 1900 x 1200 pixel display, due out in the fourth quarter. No reports yet on the processor, but speculation points to something a little faster than the current Kindle Fire CPU, such as the Tegra 3.<\/p>\n
Bloomberg and CNET are reporting that Apple may be introducing a new 7.85\u201d iPad Mini, something Steve Jobs once said \u201cwouldn\u2019t make any sense\u201d. The tablet may be priced at $299, which is close enough to the $199 pricing of Google and Amazon that it could take a big piece of the market away from them. It\u2019s no secret that people don\u2019t mind paying somewhat of a premium for an Apple product. Reports are that this device is slated for a late third quarter release, hoping to capitalize on Christmas sales.<\/p>\n
These low-priced, high resolution tablets with fast processors could spell further trouble for an already struggling handheld console market. With smartphones and tablets already putting a serious dent in sales of devices such as the PS Vita, a wave of smaller, more aggressively costed tablets can only make things worse.<\/p>\n
Related articles<\/strong><\/p>\n Google reveals Nexus 7 tablet PC, Nexus Q media hubs<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n Microsoft reveals Surface tablet PC using Intel or ARM<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n Motorola Xoom 2 launched in SA<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n