Following on from last week’s report from an analyst saying that Apple might be working on a 7-inch iPad, we now have a report today from The Wall Street Journal saying that Apple is working with its suppliers on an iPad with a display measuring approximately 8 inches on the diagonal. The Wall Street Journal says that it has learned from officials at one of Apple’s suppliers that Apple has shown them designs for a new iPad with an 8-inch screen, and that it is readying suppliers to start making the device. They said that it will have a similar resolution screen to the iPad 2, and that Apple is currently working with various screen makers, such as AU Optronics and LG Display to supply test panels. According to the sources, Apple is looking to develop an iPad with a smaller screen in order to broaden its product range in the face of increasing competition in the tablet market, presumably from Amazon’s Kindle Fire.

Source: Apple Working with Suppliers on 8-Inch iPad - Mac Rumors

Apple, Suppliers Test Tablet With Smaller Screen - WSJ.com