[Lotus Esprit]

I have seen several articles stating that a Digitimes Senior analyst believes that Apple is going to release a 5 to 7 inch version of the iPad in early 2011.

The iPad mini should have a price tag of between $300 and $400 and target people who are mainly interested in reading.

Do you think that this signifies that Apple is preparing to directly take on all of the other eReader devices and dominate the eBooks market the same way that it did the MP3 one?

Any thoughts?

[Wiskedjak]

In other news: iPod Touch to receive size increase and be renamed iPad Mini in 2011

[Lotus Esprit]

How about iPad does to eReaders what iPod did to MP3 players?

[::maroma::]

I'm going to say no, Apple is not going to do an iPad mini. Apple likes a small easy to manage product line. I think Apple will be trying to convince people where the iPad fits in their lives, and having yet another odd product in the lineup will just make it even more difficult to do that.

This just sounds like all of the iPhone nano rumors that have been around since almost day one.

[imitchellg5]

They won't do it for many reasons. And we don't need an iPad Maxi.

Also, Lotus Espirit, you should read the forum rules regarding signatures.

[slugslugslug]

I’d bet against it. Maybe in 5 years, if the iPad has been a smashing success and others agree that this is the future of non-professional computing, Apple will want to branch out with several more form factors for the iPhone/iPad platform. But next year wouldn’t make sense.

[mduell]

I'd buy a 6" iPhone OS device.

[chabig]

I don't think there is a viable space between iPod/iPhone and iPad.