Report: Apple to Unveil iPad Mini in October

Apple's iPhone 5 is rumored to be launching in the next couple of weeks. As iPhone 5 talk heats up, less attention has been afforded to the other as-yet-unconfirmed mobile device from Apple. For months the tech world has been talking about the possibility that Apple would launch a smaller version of its hugely successful iPad tablet. Dubbed iPad Mini, rumors of this small tablet have been doing the rounds since well before the unveiling of iPad 3 at the beginning of the year.

Though it's been largely focused on iPhone 5 over the last few weeks, the rumor mill today churned out a new tidbit of information regarding the slate. According to AllThingsD, Apple plans to announce the new iPhone in early September and then hold a separate event for the iPad Mini. ATD's cites several sources say this event is currently scheduled for October.

Of course, Apple is not commenting on the rumors, and considering it has yet to confirm the much talked about but still unconfirmed September 12 iPhone 5 event, we doubt the invitations for this October event will go out anytime soon. Still, from previous rumors, we do know that the display for the iPad Mini is going to be roughly seven inches, which would put Apple in direct competition with the likes of the Kindle Fire, the Nexus 7, and to a lesser extent the 5.3-inch Galaxy Note.

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  • Shin-san
    I was about to say: I have seen small Android tablets and they are kind of neat. The high screen res makes them usable.
    Reply
  • wolley74
    So a larger iPod Touch? sad part is it'll sell like hotcakes
    Reply
  • gulmat
    Sad prediction: Apple thinks the nexus 7/galaxy tab 7 look "similar" to the ipad mini, apple sues everyone, apple wins(let's hope not) Rinse and repeat...
    Reply
  • husker
    It is fascinating how all the painstaking R&D that went into making the iPad the perfect size is suddenly rendered irrelevant. Just like how, suddenly, the concepts behind the Windows OS were apparently wrong and what we really wanted all along was just a giant mobile phone screen. I understand the role marketing has in convincing people to buy new things, but they really are getting shameless in how they think we all have "etch-a-sketch" memories. Companies are now beginning to promote "paper billing" as a new way to connect to customers, after shoving paperless billing down our throats.
    /end rant
    Reply
  • husker
    It is fascinating how all the painstaking R&D that went into making the iPad the perfect size is suddenly rendered irrelevant. Just like how, suddenly, the concepts behind the Windows OS were apparently wrong and what we really wanted all along was just a giant mobile phone screen. I understand the role marketing has in convincing people to buy new things, but they really are getting shameless in how they think we all have "etch-a-sketch" memories. Companies are now beginning to promote "paper billing" as a new way to connect to customers, after shoving paperless billing down our throats.
    /end rant
    Reply
  • halcyon
    I love my 3rd gen iPad don't see the benefit of a 7" version. When I want all of this in a smaller package I use my iPhone. I guess there's a demand?
    Reply
  • tomfreak
    A chance for 1billion goes back to Samsung.
    Reply
  • yobobjm
    And now we start the patent wars....
    Reply
  • hotroderx
    gulmatSad prediction: Apple thinks the nexus 7/galaxy tab 7 look "similar" to the ipad mini, apple sues everyone, apple wins(let's hope not) Rinse and repeat...
    The sad part is it will not matter the Nexus 7 and Galaxy Tab 7 where out first. I still wonder how much pressure Apple put on the state of California to make sure the jury ruled in there favor.

    The above is speculation but hey when your as rotten a company as apple then its to be expected. All the Apple lovers out there I got one question before you down rate my post. Name one item Apple really invited?

    Not something they stole not something they copied, not something they bought the company who designed it out after the fact. Something they truly 100% came up for in house.
    Reply
  • jay2tall
    Didn't Apple once say the iPad was the perfect size and anything in size between the iPad and iPhone was unnecessary or something of that nature? Apple is the worst company with the best marketing. It's shameful that it works on so many people. I used to simply not like their products, however, now with the Samsung non-sense lawsuits I just despise them as a company. Google needs to release a new Android version that will just toast Apple, and then dub it "Applie Pie". That or Microsoft just has to bring out their boom stick!
    Reply