Despite Apple's protestations that it's not working on an iPad with a smaller screen -- seven or eight inches or so -- the "mini" rumor is one that . Floggers of the idea can't see how Apple can resist the market pressure for a cheaper tablet, especially in light of the success of the Kindle Fire.

That success, though, was fleeting, as show. For example, IDC reports Amazon tablet shipments shriveled from 16.8 percent in last year's holiday quarter to 4 percent in the quarter ending in March. Those declines coupled with the expected arrival of 10-inch tablets based on Android 4.0 (Ice Cream Sandwich) and selling for $250 or less may put iPad Mini speculation to bed for good.

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