Photo of tweaked full-sized iPad shell with new, smaller Lightning port?

The authors of blog Apple.Pro have posted a photo of what appears to be the shell for the upcomingt weaked third-generation iPad with a Lightning port. No other changes appear to be shown in this image. That is in line with expectations of this being a very minor refresh. Apple.Pro is known to have a fairly reliable track record when it comes to sharing images of parts for upcoming Apple products.

[Source: 9to5Mac]

You're the Pundit: iPad mini may be the death knell for iPad 2

When it comes to evaluating the next big thing, we turn to our secret weapon: the TUAW braintrust. We put the question to you and let you have your go at it. Today's topic is the iPad 2.

First introduced in March 2011, it's been a brilliant standard-bearer for Apple's tablet tech. Offering a total redesign from the original iPad, it lacks only a few bells, whistles, and pixels compared to the current "new" iPad.

In fact, it's still Apple's budget choice for many consumers with limited discretionary funds. Starting at $399, it offers a hundred dollar break compared to the low-end current generation model.

[Source: TUAW - Click here to read the full story]

Apple announces 'Special Event' for October 23rd

Apple has just invited members of the press to attend a product launch on October 23rd, where we assume the long-rumored iPad mini will be unveiled. The event will go down merely weeks after Apple took the wraps off of the iPhone 5 (and strangely enough, the Foo Fighters played their last show for the foreseeable future). It's quite unlike Apple to throw two product parties in the fall, but if an entirely new iPad is being revealed, it may be a scenario that becomes more familiar in years to come. At this point, we're left with far more questions than answers: will the iPad mini really ship with a Lightning port, while the Retina iPad -- which was only introduced in March -- continues to ship with the "old" Dock Connector? Will Apple really continue to refresh its two iPad products at different intervals? Will the (presumed) AT&T iPad mini actually include mobile hotspot functionality?

And while we're at it, is Apple really going to throw a "one more thing" into the mix by bumping its 13-inch MacBook Pro into Retina territory? After all, tossing "little" into the invite could allude to a smaller iPad and an update to an already-small laptop. We'll be there to bring you the blow-by-blow as it happens, so feel free to go ahead and take next Tuesday off. We'll sign the approval form.

[Source: Engadget]

4490 mAh iPad Mini battery is almost exactly 3X size of iPhone and 1/3 of the iPad

If the 16.7Whr/4490 mAh iPad Mini battery images that MacRumors reported last night are authentic, it would place the power at almost exactly three times more than the iPhone 5′s 5.45Whr and one-third of the massive 42.5Whr battery of the third-generation iPad. Seems pretty logical.

The battery runs at 3.72 volts, and it shows a model number of A1445 and an Apple part number of 616-0641.

[Source: 9to5Mac]

Why the iPad mini? One word: Textbooks

I was at the dentist the other day, where I was talking to Laura-the-receptionist about tablets. "I'm sick of paying for rebinding [my kids' textbooks] every year," she told me. "My kid's teacher suggested we buy a tablet and purchase textbooks from Amazon instead of fixing them. Which tablet should I buy?"

Although schools pay a nominal fee per rebinding, parents often have to cough up a significant amount more. Cherry Creek High School charges $28 to rebind a single book. The eBook text costs just $14.99. It's a bargain until you start considering the tablet overhead.

[Source: TUAW - Click here to read the full story]

Apple likely to reveal iPad mini on October 23rd, reports All Things D

Rumors about the iPad mini are really starting to heat up and alleged leaks of the body are hitting the web with machine gun-like regularity. Now All Things D claims to have another piece of the puzzle -- when. According to "people familiar" with the matter, Apple is scheduling a press event for October 23rd, where it will likely take the wraps off its latest (and smallest) tablet offering. The outlet reported a similar rumor ahead of the iPhone 5 launch, insisting that the littlest slate would be held until October. Now, here we are -- it's October -- and we're still waiting for our invitations. As usual, you'll be the first to know when ours arrives and we can confirm the when and where (and we think you already know the what). As for the how and why? Well, that we're just going to have to wait and see.

[Source: Engadget]

WSJ: iPad Mini mass production has begun, launch within weeks

The Wall Street Journal is adding its voice to claims that the iPad Mini is being mass produced en route to a launch later this month.

Apple Inc.’s Asian component suppliers have started mass production of a new tablet computer smaller than the current iPad, people with knowledge of the situation said, as the Silicon Valley company tries to stay competitive against rivals such as Google Inc. and Amazon.com Inc.that are offering smaller, less-expensive alternatives to the iPad.

The report says LG and AU optronics are making the 1,024-by-768 7.85-inch display, and they began production last month. More Mini parts including shells have appeared recently which could indicate finalized parts are in production. The biggest mystery remaining is price. Some speculate that it could be offered as low as $199 in the United States, while more conservative estimates point to $299 for the low-end model.

[Source: 9to5Mac]

Claimed iPad mini shell reappears, now with more rear camera and less Mr. Blurrycam

The last time we saw the purported iPad mini's aluminum backing, someone forgot to turn on a light. There's no such murkiness with NetEase's fresh turn at pre-release photography. Its view of a WiFi model gives us both a much clearer look as well as some hints that Apple wants more than a basic slab at the iPad's potential new entry level: there's a conspicuous cutout for what's likely a rear-facing camera, along with space in the top frame for a front camera. We've already seen the mini dock connector that fits in that hole at the bottom edge, of course. Nothing's definite unless there's either a smoking gun leak or an official event, but we may have just a month to wait to know whether or not the Kindle Fire HD 7-inch has some fresh competition.

[Source: Engadget]

Possible 'iPad Mini' Spotted in iOS App Developer Logs

Instapaper developer Marco Arment has spotted two new iPad device codes in his logs that he believes represents the long rumored "iPad mini".   The new identifiers found were "iPad2,5" and "iPad2,6". As Arment notes, the iPad2,1 through iPad 2,3 designations are known to represent the iPad 2's WiFi, GSM and CDMA models. The iPad2,4 represents a die-shrunk/cheaper version of the iPad 2 that was released alongside the 3rd generation iPad. Finally, the 3rd Generation iPad carries a designation of iPad3,x.  

[Source: To read the full article visit Mac Rumours]

Apple Media Event … Things Just Got Bigger

Rumours are rife on the internet, with many predicting that Apple will be holding a media event on 12th September 2012. There have been talks of an iPad Mini, new iMacs and of course a new iPhone.

Well, it is now a forgone conclusion that we will see a new iPhone come the 12th, but will this encompass all of the changes fanboys expect & want? Some websites are reporting we will see a larger 16:9 format screen, whilst others are touting a 3D capable camera. With the inclusion of NFC in many of the latest Google Android phones, it really should be there in the iPhone 5 or "new iPhone", but recent images tell a different story there too.

So what does Apple have to do to keep the money rolling in. Well, the new iPhone 5 will bring with it a brand new design. The glass back will be gone, with new sweeping lines and a slightly thinner profile. Incoming will be the larger screen with a higher resolution, and yes, this will be in 16:9 format. That makes total sense because this is a media consumption device. Speed demons will also be happy with the quad core processor and although Apple rarely talk speeds, this should clock at least around the 1.2GHz mark. Gaming performance will also be excellent, as this is one area Apple really work hard at. On the camera front a new 8 megapixel sensor will bring with it great clarity and another improvement in low light & depth of field (you know, for creating those arty blurred backgrounds). The only downer for all those waiting, is the actual lack of NFC, which won't be seen until next time around.

What we do know, is that there will be no iPad Mini. Apple will save that in the wings for another early October event. It is here we will see the iPad Mini alongside the new iPod touch & Nano, along with the retirement of the Shuffle. Stay tuned (and subscribed to The Geekanoids Channel for more news… exciting times are ahead.

Apple to Ramp Up 7.85" iPad Mini Production in September?

Digitimes reports that the long-rumored 7.85" iPad will begin volume production in September with a target of 4 million units per month.

Supply volume of Apple's 7.85-inch iPad is estimated to reach four million units per month starting in September in order to prepare for demand from year-end holidays, according to sources from the upstream supply chain.

The goal is said to launch the new device before the 2012 holiday season.

The timing is consistent with previous rumors that Apple would be ramping production in September. iMore reported back in May that Apple was targetting an October launch for the smaller iPad with a target price in the $200-$250 range. iMore also lumped in the iPad Mini to be announced alongside the next iPhone on the rumored September 12th media event. 

The September 12th date seems certain for an Apple media event as it has been verified by a number of publications. Apple has yet to officially announce an event, however. 

While a number of part leaks have already revealed what to expect in the next iPhone, iPad mini parts have been quite scarce. This seemingly late ramp up in production may have been intentionally timed by Apple to correspond with their launch media event in order to prevent as many leaks for this new device.

[Source: MacRumors]

iPad mini will look like a large iPod touch with smaller side bezels

We received a number of tips over the last few weeks from sources that we have reason to believe hold knowledge about Apple’s plans on the upcoming iPad mini. A recurring theme of late is that the iPad mini will “look like a big iPod touch” with smaller bezels along the sides in portrait mode and separate volume buttons and not a “rocker” and a mic on the back.

In addition, we received a number of different iPad mini back plates with the best quality being these from case maker Devicewear.

[Source: 9to5Mac - Read the full story]