A pint-sized version of Apple's iPad, dubbed the iPad mini, is currently in production, according to a report.
The Wall Street Journal is reporting Asian suppliers have begun mass production of the tech giant's smaller tablet, citing executives at companies that make components for the devices.
During the summer, rumors were rampant that the tech giant was planning an imminent release of a smaller version of its wildly popular and market-beating iPad. Apple neither confirmed nor denied the speculation, and pointedly omitted any menion of an iPad mini when it unveiled the iPhone 5 late last month.
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According to the Journal's sources, the smaller tablet will feature a 7.85 inch screen, a little bit smaller than Apple's 9.7 inch screen on the current iPad model.
Apple's (aapl) competition in the tablet market has intensified over the last few years, with more companies launching their own smaller computing devices.
Google (goog) launched its Nexus 7, which features a 7-inch screen in July, while Amazon introduced its latest version of the Kindle Fire HD in Septemer. Amazon's (amzn) new tablet is offered in 8.9-inch and 7-inch models.
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Microsoft (msft) also got in the tablet game this year, unveiling its larger Surface tablet, which will operate on Windows 8 operating system and has a 10.6-inch display screen.
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