iPad Mini Event Invites Sent Out: Apple Confirms Mini Tablet

By Vincent Funaro, Christian Post Reporter Tuesday, October 16, 2012

Invites to the iPad Mini event have been sent out, which confirms that the company will actually be releasing the mini tablet after about a year's worth of rumors and leaks.

The event will take place on Oct. 23 where the 7.85-inch version of Apple's hit device will make its debut.

The invitation reads "we've got a little more to show you," pointing to something small or shrunken down.

Another device expected to debut at this event is a 13-inch MacBook Pro with a Retina display, which will join the 15-inch model that was released by Apple earlier this year.

However, the iPad Mini is still expected to be the star of this show.

The tablet is expected to be priced between $199 and $299 in order to compete with other small tablets including the Barnes and Noble Nook HD, Kindle Fire HD, and Google Nexus 7.

The long-rumored iPad Mini was reportedly seen by a Wall Street analyst while he visited component suppliers in Asia.

"We actually had the opportunity to play with a pilot iPad Mini used by one of the vendors," said Topeka Capital analyst Brian White. "This 7.85-inch iPad Mini fit our hands like a glove and we were easily able to tuck the device in our sport coat, offering consumers a more mobile iPad experience."

The Wall Street Journal also stated in a report last week that Asian component suppliers have started mass production of a new tablet computer that is smaller than the current iPad. It also claims to have received this information from a source on the inside.

It also states that LG and AU optronics are making the 1024 x 768 7.85-inch display for the device and started production on the component last month.