Apple Tests Smaller Tablet With Eight-Inch Screen

Apple is working with component suppliers in Asia to test a new version of its popular tablet computer with a smaller screen.

Officials at some of Apple's suppliers, who declined to be named, said the company has shown them screen designs for a new tablet with a screen size of about eight inches.

A smaller tablet would help Apple broaden its product offerings, and therefore compete better with rivals such as Samsung Electronics and Amazon to maintain its dominant market share.

Latest numbers from market research firm IDC showed that Apple captured 61.5 percent of global tablet market share in the third quarter of 2011, down from 68.3 percent in the previous quarter.