Apple May Debut Smaller, Cheaper iPad: Hot Trends

NEW YORK (TheStreet) -- Popular searches on the Internet include Apple(AAPL) on reports the tech titan plans to debut a new, smaller version of its iPad by the end of the year.

Apple is said to be coming out with an iPad measuring 7 to 8 inches diagonally, compared to the current version that measures 9.7 inches. The tablet is not expected to include high-definition, a feature on the newest model of the iPad. The smaller iPad will also be cheaper, according to reports, and could likely have a price tag closer to that of Google's(GOOG) Nexus 7 or Amazon's(AMZN) Kindle Fire. Both of those tablets have screens measuring 7 inches and cost $199.

Reports indicate Apple could announce the new product by October.

Volkswagen is trending as the company said it will buy the remaining 50.1% stake in Porsche's auto business for €4.46 billion ($5.6 billion).

The two companies agreed to combine in 2009 after Porsche racked up over €10 billion in debt in an attempt to buy Volkswagen. The deal is finalized two years earlier than planned, after VW reached an agreement with German tax officials.

Volkswagen said Porsche's auto business will become fully integrated into the company as of Aug. VW said full consolidation of the business is expected to boost Volkswagen's full-year financial results by more than €9 billion.

VW is Europe's biggest carmaker. Its brands include Audi, Volkswagen, Bugatti, Bentley and others.

Volvo is another popular search. GKN, a British maker of jetliner parts for Airbus, will buy Volvo's aerospace division for 633 million pounds ($987 million).

The chatter on Main Street (a.k.a. Google, Yahoo! and other search sites) is always of interest to investors on Wall Street. Thus, each day, TheStreet compiles the stories that are trending on the Web, and highlights the news that could make stocks move.

-- Written by Brittany Umar.