Apple recently sent out media invites for the new iPad launch event scheduled for October 22nd. The company is busy making preparations for the iPad event decorating the venue with huge posters resembling the invite.

This year Apple is expected to announce new iPad 5 and second gen iPad mini alongwith other product updates. The theme of the fall event is “We still have a lot to cover.” It doesn’t give us much insight into what the company has in store for us however, based on many analysts reports and rumors published in the past we certainly have a fair idea of what to expect.

The company has a history for fine tuning their products to perfect and have a certain penchant for making products thinner and lighter. Fifth gen iPad is widely expected to shed some weight it put on during its third iteration. In addition to losing some weight it will also become smaller with thinner bezel. In the past, when announcing iPhone 5 Apple in its advertisements asked how can a phone become larger yet lighter and thinner.

Second gen iPad mini is rumored to feature retina display. The smaller tablet from Apple has the same resolution as an iPad 2. iPad mini is the only iOS device that doesn’t ship with a high resolution model. Even though many rumors have suggested that we might get a high resolution display some analysts have expressed doubt over cost and product rates.

The fall event is also expected to feature OS X Mavericks, MacBook Pro, Mac Pro and other product updates as well.

{Images via Apple Spotlight and MacRumors}

Last week, Apple Inc. (AAPL) shipping estimates for the iPad mini dropped to 3-5 days in the U.S Apple Store. Now, the iPad mini’s shipping estimates has once again improved to 1-3 days in the U.S store. The estimates have been slowly improving and customers will now have an iPad mini order fulfilled, shipped, and delivered in under a week.

Other online Apple Stores around the world are also experiencing improvements in their shipping estimates, coming in at 3-5 business days. Apple’s European store had a two week wait for an iPad mini, which has since improved to 3-5 days.

The introduction of a smaller iPad has proved to be successful for Apple. It is a direct competitor to all the e-readers available in the market. By launching a smaller tablet Apple aims to capture every segment of the tablet market. Even though the iPad mini is an expensive product when compared to other smaller tablets available, consumers continue to pay premium for seamless integration of hardware and software services.

Apple experienced supply constraints for the iPad mini which caused a backlog of orders, and as a result, a very long wait time. Apple noted that it expects the supply to catch up to demand by the end of March. Supply constraints were caused in part by the iPad mini’s G/F2 (DITO) thin-film display technology, which is also rumored to be used in the new iPad 5 (fifth gen).

{Via MacRumors}

Apple’s iPad mini has been around for several months, and with device consistently increasing in popularity, it is no surprise that part productions for the device have also increased. According to a report from Reuters, Sharp is reducing the production of the 9.7” displays for the fourth generation iPad, due to the popularity of the iPad mini.

This production is reportedly in response to a shift in demand from the full-sized iPad to the mini after a slowdown in late 2012. Two sources who reported to Reuters noted that 9.7” displays have “fallen to a minimal level” at the company’s Kameyama plant in Japan.

The sources didn’t say how much of the slowdown was due to seasonal changes in demand or consumers opting for the smaller iPad mini and were unable to characterize Apple’s overall tablet sales.

Apple has already experienced a whirlwind of negativity and has seen a decline in its stock price after the web became abuzz with reports that the company was cutting iPhone 5 orders due to weak demand for the product. Despite these reports being reiterated by many major news outlets, a number of other analysts have negated these claims in support of the iPhone 5.

With reduced production of the fourth gen iPad displays, it is possible that the Cupertino company is looking to release a newer model, likely with a different type of screen. This may be the first time that Apple includes an IGZO display in its iPad, as previously reported. KGI securities analyst, Ming-Chi Kuo has mentioned that Apple’s next iPad will be significantly lighter and thinner. The ‘iPad 5’ may include a better screen, updated cameras, and a faster processor.

{Via AppleInsider}

Apple’s special iPad mini keynote event scheduled for today is expected to unveil all-new smaller iPad. The new “iPad mini” is rumoured to feature a 7.85 inch screen with 1024-by-768-pixel resolution at 132 pixels per inch (ppi), the same as iPad 2.

The company’s move to introduce a smaller version of the iPad will help iOS penetrate the ebook reader market and compete with the Kindle devices. Apple is widely expected to announce iBooks 3.0 and the announcement of iPad mini could be closely tied to Apple’s education initiatives. The iPad mini will also feature front and rear facing camera, lighting connector and could come in different colors.

According to recent reports, the entry level model of iPad mini is expected to be priced at $329. The new device could prove to be ideal for schools and those who want a tablet put prefer a smaller screen.

Steve Jobs was opposed to the idea of a smaller screen tablet however many believe that it was Eddy Cue who saw the potential of a smaller screen tablet that could help push iOS deeper in education market.

Unlike iPhone 5 media event, Apple will be live streaming the video of the iPad mini keynote event on Apple.com and via Apple TV, the event will kick off at 10 am PDT.

On Friday, AllThingsD reported that Apple is planning to schedule a special media event for the rumored “iPad Mini” on Tuesday, October 23rd. The device, which is rumored to carry a 7.85 inch screen will likely feature all of the same cameras as on the iPhone 4S as well as the new Lightning connector for iOS devices and the updated A6 chip.

As AllThingsD reported in August, Apple will hold a special event this month at which it will showcase a new, smaller iPad. People familiar with Apple’s plans tell us that the company will unveil the so-called “iPad mini” on October 23 at an invitation-only event.

That’s a Tuesday, not a Wednesday, so this is a bit of a break with recent tradition. It also happens to be just three days prior to the street date for Microsoft’s new Surface tablet.

According to the report, the event is expected to be held at the Town Hall auditorium at Apple’s headquarters in Cupertino, CA and Apple will likely send out invitations as early as next week. With more and more rumors and images of the iPad Mini surface, it is almost certain that a smaller, cheaper, and lighter iPad is on the horizon. The Loop’s Jim Dalrymple also confirmed the iPad Mini event with a simple “yep” as he has with numerous other Apple product launches in the past.

{Via AllThingsD}

KGI Securities analyst Ming-Chi Kuo has reported on upcoming 5th gen iPod touch and iPod nano models, and revealed details on the design and internals of the devices. Earlier this week, Kuo also revealed details about the iPad Mini, mentioning that this smaller iPad, along with a tweaked full sized iPad would be released following the announcement of the iPhone 5.

Kuo claims that Apple will likely release the iPhone 5 sometime early on in the September-October timeframe, leaving time for the company to release a tweaked iPad, and the smaller “iPad Mini”. With component shortages and a short sale time, Kuo believes that the unit sales will only be slightly higher than the second quarter.

iPhone 5 to debut in September. But due to in-cell touch panel and casing yield rate limits, ability to offset older models’ shipments decrease will be moderate.

In his report, Kuo went on to estimate that Apple will sell 1.8 million units during the period of its introduction, and will surpass the estimated 13 million units of the full sized iPad in the fourth quarter. The iPad Mini is reportedly going to debut in late September, following an increase in production in August.

Aside from the iPad Mini, Kuo also notes that the full sized iPad will be tweaked, most likely on the internals to reduce cost and adjust thermal issues. Kuo’s claims confirm a report earlier in the year from Digitimes, which suggested that an upcoming iPad refresh would include a thinner enclosure, IGZO display, and technology to address heat dissipation.

Many of the claims addressed by Kuo about the iPad Mini, iPad, iPhone and iPods appear to confirm previous rumors on the web for several weeks. It is very likely that Apple will release an iPhone 5 this fall, followed by a tweaked full sized iPad and even an iPad Mini. However, the finite details about the release remain unknown, such as the IGZO display and thinner profile. The iPad Mini and tweaked iPad are expected during the September/October timeframe, the same time frame for the next generation iPhone and the public release of iOS 6.

{via MacRumors — Image Credit: CiccareseDesign}

Apple’s rumored 7 inch iPad has been trending on the web since late last year, and now details about the device are beginning to emerge. Japanese site Macotakara reported late last week that Apple is slowly beginning to ramp up production of the 7.85” iPad mini at its Foxconn location in Brazil. The source also mentions that the tablet will, in fact be called the iPad Mini and that production tests on new cutting machines have already been done in China.

Source said that, production phase of this tablet will be started since September, and this tablet should be shipped until holiday season, but announcement will not be so soon.

The smaller version of the tablet has been reported to have 3G capabilities, but will likely be set up similar to the current iPad, with both WiFi and 3G versions available. Other details about the device remain unclear, and may appear as the announcement date gets closer. The iPad Mini would be competing with other smaller tablets on the market such as the Kindle Fire and Google Nexus 7.

The iPad Mini is expected to be thinner than the Kindle Fire, and will likely adopt an almost identical, albeit smaller design. According to Bloomberg, Apple is expected to release the iPad Mini later this year, during the same October timeframe as the next gen iPhone 5 and the public release of iOS 6.

{via MacRumors}

Reports of Apple Inc. (AAPL) releasing an “iPad Mini” in October have been around for quite some time, and since last year, more and more news sources are confirming that this release is most likely going to happen. The latest report from Bloomberg, also confirms the likelihood that Apple’s iPad Mini is slated for announcement in October, and will be shipping by the end of the year .

The new model will have a screen that’s 7 inches to 8 inches diagonally, less than the current 9.7-inch version, said the people, who asked not to be identified because Apple hasn’t made its plans public. The product, which Apple may announce by October, won’t have the high-definition screen featured on the iPad that was released in March, one of the people said.

The report also suggests that AAPL was in talks to develop a smaller iPad, since the introduction of the first generation even with Steve Jobs saying that a screen that small wasn’t ideal for users to enjoy their media. It makes sense for Apple to introduce an iPad Mini, because of the company’s history in improving on products offered by the competition, as well as producing products that consumers genuinely enjoy.

The report goes on to mention that the iPad Mini will likely have the same amount of pixels as the iPad before the Retina Display was introduced. This would put the resolution at 1024×768 pixels and would avoid the fragmentation of apps that Apple makes sure to avoid in all of its products. Apple is likely treading very carefully with the launch of the iPad Mini to make sure that they get this perfect.

An iPad Mini has the potential to affect the sales of the iPod touch if it is not priced properly. However, it appears to be almost certain that a smaller iPad will make an appearance later this October, even The Wall Street Journal reported that there is indeed an iPad Mini in the works. The iPad Mini is proposed for an October launch, the same timeframe as the next generation iPhone 5 and the public release of iOS 6.

{via MacRumors, Image Credit: iLounge}

Rumors of a smaller iPad-like device have been doing the rounds for a while now, but this one differs in the way Shanzai.com claim the hardware may be more similar to the iPhone 4 than Apple’s magical and revolutionary (I couldn’t resist) tablet.

Interesting quote time:

Yes there will be a 7” tablet, yes it’s well underway in terms of product development and in fact it’s a finished product. Yes 5 plus different designs have been floating around to help Apple protect itself from people discovering its next product look and feel but… the final design will in fact bear more resemblance to the iPhone 4 stylings than the original iPad design.

According to the quote Apple has been working on 5 separate designs for the mythical 7 inch tablet – apparently to stop its competitors. You have to admit, this DOES sound like Apple!

For me, I just don’t see a need for a smaller iPad, or even a larger iPod touch. We all agreed that around 10 inch seemed to work well at launch and I don’t see anything changing.

Something else to keep in mind. Apple doesn’t release products unless there is a real marker for it. The iPad arrived at a time to fill the void between a notebook and an iPod touch. Is there a market for something between an iPad and an iPod touch?

I’m not convinced. What do you think?

Today, Taiwan’s Economic Daily News is reporting the same thing, and suggesting a launch for the iPad 7″ prior to year end. November is the date that many sites are suggesting.

In the report details are given of suppliers for the screen. Which will be based on IPS (In Plane Switching) LCD technology. The same as that in the current iPad. Information is also given on other manufacturers and suppliers. But it is still all a bit sketchy still.

I am not convinced of this devices existence, yet. But the amount of info now circulating certainly lends some credence to the rumors.

Do you think Apple are set to launch a mid sized iPad? Or something else? Give us your best guess in the comments.