How long will Apple be able to maintain its dominance? Apparently not much longer, if new rumblings over the company's plans are correct. On the Wednesday edition of The Talk Show Podcast, technology pundit John Gruber said he has heard in its labs.

Since it's clear the original 10.1-inch iPad will likely not see a significant price decrease any time soon--if ever--Apple is forced to develop an "iPad mini" of sorts to prevent losing a significant segment of the tablet industry. Steve Jobs once called 7-inch tablets "", so such a product would be a reversal of strategy for Cupertino.

Steve Jobs is gone though, and Tim Cook is thinking differently. to take on the issue of labor conditions head on--something Jobs never did--and allows regional carriers of current model iPhones. Thus continuing to use Jobs as a guide for what Apple does might be a mistake.

For more tech news and commentary, follow Ed on Twitter at , on , or .