Apple 'plans 7-inch iPad for October'

Apple plans to launch a 7-inch version of the iPad in October, according to rumours. Apple launched its third generation iPad earlier this year. 

Apple CEO Tim Cook speaks during an event in San Francisco

The 7-inch iPad will have the same screen resolution as the new iPad and would sell for $200-$250, the Apple. iMore has a good record of publishing Apple rumours that turn out to be accurate.

Rene Ritchie, of iMore, wrote: "Our sources have indicated, that the 7-inch iPad will be identical to the current 9.7-inch iPad, just scaled down. That seems to include a 2048x1536 resolution display, just like the new iPad. If accurate, that would put the pixel density at around 326 ppi, the same as the iPhone 4S (and higher than the 264 ppi new iPad) retina display."

The iMore report is in line with other reports emerging from Asia, which suggest that an 'iPad Mini' will go on sale in the third quarter of this year. In April, it was rumored that Apple had been testing an iPad with a 7.85-inch screen.

Whether all of these rumours amount to anything remains to be seen. Those who believe that Apple will release a 'mini' iPad say that it would enable the company to cover the market for tablets, leaving little entry room for the competition. Apple took the same approach with digital music players, expanding its iPod range to include a variety of sizes and form factors.