Apple

A smaller version of Apple's iPad is already in production according to a new report.

Citing an anonymous source, Japanese Apple blog Macotakara today says that production of the product is under way in a "Brazilian factory."

No other details on parts of physical form factor or offered, short of that the same source says the unit is missing a microphone on its backside, a rumored design cue currently found in Apple's iPhone 5.

Apple has been rumored to be splitting up production of a smaller iPad between two manufacturers, Foxconn and Pegatron. Foxconn began assembling iPhones in the industrial town of Jundiai earlier this year. The factories there are considerably smaller than Foxconn's Chinese operations, and initially worked on notebooks, monitors and other electronics for competing technology companies.

It goes without saying that a smaller iPad has not been announced by Apple, though is expected to be later this month. A report from Fortune earlier today suggested Apple plans to send out invites to a press event as early as next week.