Apple iPad Mini Rumors: Tech Weekly Recap

NEW YORK (TheStreet) -- Rumors of an Apple(AAPL) iPad Mini swirled this week, after both The Wall Street Journal and Bloomberg reported that the consumer tech giant is readying a smaller version of its popular iPad.

Citing unnamed sources, the Journal reported that the tablet's screen will be smaller than 8 inches. The iPad's screen will measure between 7 and 8 inches diagonally, according to Bloomberg, significantly smaller than the current iPad's 9.7-inch screen.

In a note released on Tuesday, Topeka Capital Markets analyst Brian White noted that a smaller-sized iPad could expand Apple's reach into emerging markets such as China, while also appealing to price sensitive customers in the U.S. and Europe. A smaller iPad would also prove popular in the education market, he added.

"A smaller, more portable device would prove more suitable for younger children, while schools would appreciate the lower price point given the growing budget constraints," noted White.

The Cupertino, Calif.-based firm, however, has previously disparaged 7-inch tablets. Former CEO Steve Jobs, for example, famously dismissed the smaller form-factor tablet, calling it "dead on arrival."

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Rivals Amazon(AMZN) and Barnes & Noble(BKS) both tout 7-inch tablets while Google's(GOOG) new Nexus tablet is also 7 inches.

Apple has not yet responded to TheStreet's request for comment on this story.