Mobile and Wireless: iPad Mini Will Hurt Amazon, Google: 10 Reasons Why

Apple's iPad Mini is reportedly slated to hit store shelves later this year. When it does, the device will face two established competitors in its class, Amazon's Kindle Fire and the Google Nexus 7. Both of those tablets come with 7-inch screens and run Android. And thanks to a starting price of just $199, they're awfully appealing to customers on a budget or for those who simply don't see a reason to spend at least $499 on an iPad. So far, Apple has left that market segment alone. But if the many media reports hold true, that situation will change soon when it offers up the iPad Mini. That device will come with a 7.85-inch screen, Apple's iOS platform and go a long way toward making the Nexus 7, Kindle Fire and other smaller tablets look awfully boring in comparison. The Kindle Fire and Nexus 7 are great for right now, but the iPad Mini might just hurt them in a big way. This eWEEK slide show looks at how the iPad Mini could hurt Amazon and Google tablet sales, and how Apple's smaller tablet might bring a major shift in the mobile market.