Apart from the iPhone 5 rumored to be release in September, it is speculated that Apple will also release its version of 7-inch tablet or iPad Mini.

New evidence strengthened this rumor, which shows an internal email sent to the executives of Apple citing a proposal of making a 7-inch tablet.

An important piece of information in the circulating details about iPad Mini is the company email from Apple that contained a proposition of developing a 7-inch tablet.

iOS Software Senior Vice President Scott Forstall mentioned in a testimony an internal email sent by Eddy Cue, who's also a Senior Vice President of Apple's, dealing with Internet Services and Software, back in 2011 and referring to the iPad mini - although that product name is not mentioned in the email.

The email was sent by Cue on January 24, 2011 o Shiller, Forstall, but also to Tim Cook, who was not the CEO at the time of that email.

According to the email:

Having used a Samsung Galaxy, I tend to agree with many of the comments below [after the email a link to a GigaOM post is provided] (except moving off the iPad). I believe there will be a 7″ market and we should do one. I expressed this to Steve several times since Thanksgiving and he seemed very receptive the last time. I found email, books, facebook and video very compelling on a 7″. Web browsing is definitely the weakest point, but still usable.

This is a shocking revelation. What is more surprising is that the email was sent just a few months after former CEO of Apple Steve Jobs famously said that Apple will not make a 7-inch tablet.

Strengthening the iPad Mini rumors spreading online are new images and details found in the Internet.

Purported images of the iPad Mini went viral among tech websites. Pictures of a metal shell claiming to be the long-rumoured Apple iPad Mini have surfaced on a Chinese microblogging site.

If rumors are proven true, Apple can be considered as a rookie in the 7-inch tablet market. Its device should be equipped of certain features in order to be on top of the mini tablet market. See the slideshow for some of the important features that should be included in the iPad mini.

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