The rumors might as well have been true, as WSJ reports that mass production of various components of the iPad Mini have already begun. According to the newspaper’s sources, South Korea’s LG Display company and Taiwan’s AU Optronics have started mass production of the LCD screens for the new device. Although rumors point to the iPad Mini, the device can in-fact belong under the iPod stable which would keep the iPad a completely different category. The smaller device would cater to media consumption than productivity, which would fit better in the iPod segment. At the iPhone 5 launch as well, Apple refreshed its iPod line-up, therefore this new device can land between the current gen iPod Touch and the iPad. There are several 7-inch tablets in the market, which have created a niche for themselves. If indeed Apple is planning to releasing a smaller tablet, it would come in direct competition with Google’s Nexus and Amazon’s Kindle Fire.
