CUPERTINO, Calif., Oct. 8 (UPI) -- Asian electronics parts firms are saying they have the green light for production of 10 million mini Apple tablet devices between now and the end of the year.
The Wall Street Journal reported Monday that component suppliers had begun production of the smaller Apple tablet as of this month.
Apple apparently senses strong demand will greet the 7.85-inch tablet that is expected to compete with the Amazon Kindle Fire and other smaller tablets, which are sometimes called digital readers.
Samsung Electronics has entered the sector with a 5.3-inch Galaxy Note. The Amazon Kindle Fire device is 7 inches.
Apple already makes the 9.7-inch iPad. It is expected to unveil the smaller version this month.
"It makes sense for market leader Apple to extend its dominance in tablets with a smaller tablet," said Diana Wu, an analyst with Capital Securities.
RBS analyst Wanli Wang said the challenge will be hitting the correct price. "IPad mini will be a big hit if Apple prices it below $300," Wang said.
