iPad Mini 3rd Generation 'Air' Model Release Date Set for Late 2014?

By Vincent Funaro, Christian Post Reporter Wednesday, July 23, 2014

A new rumor emerged this week claiming that the iPad Mini 3 or 3^{rd generation model will launch in late 2014 with a thinner frame.}

Taiwan's Economic Daily News reports that this model will have an extremely thin body and that Apple will label it the iPad Mini Air. It will be 30 percent less thick than the current iPad Mini and will pack a new A8 processor. The publication cites the supply chain as its main source for the information.

Previous rumors have pointed to the 3^{rd generation iPad mini featuring a more durable Touch ID fingerprint sensor that contains tin. It is also is rumored to support iOS 8's new SDK that allows third-party developers to access the fingerprint scanner for verification purposes.}

Apple is expected to launch a second generation version of the iPad Air and a new, 12.9-inch iPad Pro model before the end of this year.

A June report from Korean site ETNews revealed that the second-gen iPad Air will feature the same featherweight design as the original with its 9.7-inch Retina LCD display at 2048 x 1536 resolution. The slate will get upgraded elsewhere as it will come with a new 8-megapixel rear camera instead of the 5. It will also have a larger sensor for improved low-light performance and its version of iOS 8 will cater directly to the tablet's size when it comes to taking pictures.

The iPad Air 2 will include an upgraded version of Apple's A8 processor that will improve both performance and battery life. There is no official news of a release date at this time, but the tablet should drop sometime in the fall if Apple decides to follow is regular launch schedule.