Smaller-screened, non-retina “iPad mini” expected before end of 2012

Apple's suppliers have begun leaking like a sieve when it comes to the company's alleged plans to release a smaller version of the iPad. Both the Wall Street Journal and Bloomberg published independent reports over the Fourth of July holiday claiming that a shrunken iPad, dubbed the "iPad mini" by the rumor mill, is indeed on the way. Customers will reportedly be able to buy it before the year's end.

The WSJ's sources, who claim to have knowledge from Apple's component suppliers in Asia, say Apple plans to begin mass production of a smaller-screen iPad in September. The iPad mini will reportedly have a screen size that is larger than seven but less than eight inches, with one source claiming that Apple is working with LG Display and AU Optronics for the displays. (All three iPads introduced up to this point have a screen that is 9.7 inches; Google's new Nexus 7 tablet is attracting some potential buyers with its 7-inch screen.)

Bloomberg's sources state practically the same thing regarding the screen size, adding that the display would likely not end up being a high-resolution "retina" display like the one in the existing third-generation iPad. Bloomberg says Apple "may announce" the device in October—a time when Apple typically talks about its music, movie, and now, iPhone products.

A lower-resolution display makes some sense for a smaller iPad. If the device is indeed on its way, Apple would likely position it as a cheaper, entry-level route into the iPad ecosystem, similar to the option the iPod nano provided during the full-sized iPod's heyday. Daring Fireball's John Gruber theorizes that the iPad mini would use the same display technology as the iPhone 3GS (also not retina), and that it will end up as 7.85 inches with a resolution of 1024x768—the same resolution as the original iPad or the iPad 2.

If that's the case, iPad developers may not have to charge their visuals much. But when combined with rumors of a larger-screened iPhone, it sounds like iOS developers will have to be ready for some design curveballs when Apple's fall media event rolls around.