This has been a rumor that hasn’t died over the past year or so about Apple’s plan to break into the smaller sized tablet market. Nicknamed the “the iPad Mini” the device is rumored to be 7”85 and cost around $200. In the past it has been never a likely idea for Apple however with the release of Nexus 7 and Microsoft’s Surface tablet – this time they might actually have a fight on their hands instead of begin able to take them to court.

The question is how could this new iPad Mini threaten the Nintendo 3DS? Nintendo and Sony have been dealing with the rise of smartphones and app games. They are cheap or free games to download and are easy to play. Nintendo’s stand against them and difference is the depth and quality of their games over the app games from Apple’s App Store or the Android store. While the iPhone and iPad are doing some damage towards Nintendo – the iPad Mini will be priced in the ranges of the 3DS and the Vita. The screen size will be larger than both handheld consoles but too big. It could be a serious contender and a dangerous device to deal with for Nintendo and Sony. If we dare say if Apple was really interested in the gaming industry, with their $100 billion dollars of cash they could easily buy up some top quality game studios and work on some exclusive titles for the iPad Device.

What if Apple released a add on piece of buttons and duel sticks to the iPad Mini? While some of these thoughts are quite unlikely, Apple does have the ability to do all of the above when and if they felt like it. For Sony and the PS Vita this is the last they need based on the struggling handheld.

More at: http://nintendoninjanews.com/could-ipad-mini-threaten-the-3ds/

The article has already gone big at N4G with 30 comments and some great discussions. I think I've been able to crack some of the market there.

http://n4g.com/news/1030936/could-ipad-mini-threaten-the-3ds