Apple rumored to launch 7.85-inch iPad in late 2012

Digitimes has just reported that Apple’s rumored 7.85-inch iPad is slated to be going into production next year, in late 2012. Electronic parts manufacturers talking to Digitimes believed that Apple has been staggering the release of a second model, and considering launching the iPad 3 towards early spring, but shipping a smaller model before the fall, leaving the summer as the potential launch target date. Previously detaliled production plans sees both AU Optronics and LG Display tapped to make the new screens for Apple’s tablet.

In a release today, Digitimes reports that Apple is likely to launch a 7.85-inch iPad prior to the fourth quarter of 2012 in addition to a new iPad scheduled to be released at the end of the first quarter, according to sources in the supply chain.” Readers, how likely do you think this would be? Feel free to leave your thoughts in the comment section below

Although there are multiple sources that have claimed the coming launch of this never-before-seen model, the “mini-iPad” still hasn’t been confirmed by Apple, because of the very nature of the device. Apple would have to “re-resolution” its user interface once again for a screen size in between the 4-inch iPhone models and the 9.7-inch iPad models. This move would require Apple to have three device resolutions for app developers to focus on, something it has been long attempting to avoid, given the deep-seated fragmentation issues Android has seen with its own plethora of resolutions.