Technology giant, Apple might be planning to launch a mini version of its popular iPad tablet computer with a screen size of 7-inches.

The mini tablet will help the company compete better with Amazon’s Kindle Fire and the Google Nexus 7. The tablet is expected to launch later in the year and t represents a change in the company policy. Apple’s former chief late Steve jobs had said that 7 inch tablet form factor is not appropriate.

Jobs once said the seven-inch screens for mini tablets should "include sandpaper so users can sand down their fingers" in order to use the keyboard of the screen. However, experts say that the market has changed and there is wider acceptance of smaller tablet computers with the smaller screens.

There have been rumors about a mini tablet from Apple on the internet. A Wall Street Journal had indicated that Apple producers in China are already planning for mass production of the smaller tablet computer.

Analysts say that if Apple releases the smaller tablet at a price below $300, it would compete with a series of Android powered tablets in the global market. A report has indicated that the company will price its new iPad version between $200 and $250.