Apple iPad Mini said to be WiFi only

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CUPERTINO, Calif., Oct. 10 (UPI) -- Apple's anticipated iPad Mini will likely be WiFi only, shipping without access to 3G or 4G data networks, a British newspaper is reporting.

Offering mobile data would be counter to the whole point of the iPad Mini, which is seen as Apple's effort to make a much less expensive version of its popular full-size tablet to compete with lower price devices from Google and Amazon, The Guardian reported Wednesday.

Apple is expected to unveil the 8-inch iPad Mini Oct. 17 in San Francisco and have it available for purchase in late October.

The Guardian is reporting the miniature iPad will have a 7.85-inch display, making it just slightly larger than an Amazon Kindle Fire or Google Nexus 7, both of which have 7-inch screens.

Some reports have said iPad Mini production is falling behind schedule, and while Apple has declined to respond to them the company hasn't sent out invitations for any sort of event this month, The Guardian said.