According to the report Reuters, Sharp has almost stopped production of the 9.7-inch screen iPad, as demand shifts to iPad mini. Issue screens for iPad on the production lines of the Kameyama Plant(link to a virtual tour of the plant) in the central part of Japan has fallen to its lowest level, and a gradual slowdown began in late 2012. The sources did not disclose what caused the fall – a change in demand or consumer preferences for iPad mini. Macquarie Research wrote in his study of iPad sales fall by 40%, from 13 million to 8 million in Q4. However, this decrease is compensated by strong sales of iPad mini.

Apple has faced problems in the market because of the growing popularity of tablet Samsung Galaxy and Microsoft Surface. In late 2012, Apple’s share of the tablet market has fallen to 50%.

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