Beijing October 13, according to foreign media reports, according to informed sources, as Amazon recently released a very low-priced tablet computer Kindle Fire, which only sold at $ 199. Apple will maybe release a new low-cost iPad in the first half of 2012. Investment research firm Ticonderoga Securities analyst Brian White has been researched the supply position of tablet computer in the Chinese mainland and Taiwan. He approached a number of component suppliers and was informed that Apple will maybe launch a new product called "iPad mini" next year. He pointed out that the name of product called the "mini" does not necessarily mean the product is a small size, but low prices. He said that "iPad mini" is expected to be launched in the first half of next year, which will help Apple to attract price-sensitive consumers and confront with Amazon Kindle Fire. White wrote in an investor report: "We believe that this low-cost version of iPad will sell less than $ 200. After the introduction of "iPad mini", Apple is expected to launch a widely anticipated ipad, which owns a strong configuration and more features. At the same time, its price is more standard. While Apple hopes to launch a low-priced tablet computer, but it is estimated that Amazon will plan to launch a larger size tablet. Kindle Fire is7-inch and the iPad is 9.7-inch in the screen size configuration. In August 2010, Apple co-founder Steve Jobs had said “for the tablet computer, 7 inch screen is too small” these words to criticize his competitors. He also said“7-inch screen tablet computer manufacturers must also provide users with sandpaper, so that the fingers of users can be more fine-polished and accurately click to display the target on the tablet computer at last. There are rumors that Apple will plan to launch a new screen size product between the iPad and iPod touch. But White said that Apple's goal is to capture low-end market, so it needs to launch a cheaper ipad rather than smaller iPad. But for Apple fans, they are concerned that some functions of the iPad will be improved. For example, as we all know, the ipad only can support mov file and mp4 formats, many other common formats can not be supported by it. If we want to play them on ipad, we must use a video to ipad converter to help us. So if iPad mini can solve this converting problem, the experience of the user will be better. Especially for TV play fans, they like not only download their favorite TV plays on the internet but also watch tv shows on ipad directly. The emergence of iPad mini maybe is a great blessing for them. White said the low-cost version of the iPad will maybe get a huge success in China and other worldwide developing countries in sales. Besides, He also believed that cheap version of the iPad will also get significant market opportunities in Europe and other developed countries. Many analysts, including White, believe that Apple may develop a cheaper version of iPhone model and it also is not binding with the service contract in sales as the earlier products. The purpose of this product is to help Apple to enter a huge pre-paid smart phone market. In addition, Apple has decided to continue to sell iPhone 3GS, if you purchase a service contract, then the phone will be free. Otherwise, this phone will be sold for $ 375.