iPad Mini Rumors: Everything We Know

Rumors surrounding a miniature version of Apple's best-selling iPad hardware have been relentless throughout this year. But judging by an invitation sent out to the media yesterday, it looks as though we might finally be getting a glimpse of the new device at an Apple conference being held next Tuesday.

We've pulled together all of the rumors that have stood the test of time about this new, compact iPad. Let's see how many turn out to be true.

It will be announced next Tuesday October 23rd

According to various media reports, the invitations have gone out for the unveiling of a new Apple device next Tuesday October 23rd. The invitation states: "We've got a little more to show you." Given that a new iteration of the iPod Touch was announced at Apple's major press conference last month, it seems likely that we'll finally be getting a look at the long-rumored iPad Mini.

It will have a Retina display

If an iPad Mini is announced next week, we'd expect it to have the same Retina display that's fast becoming the standard across all Apple hardware. That said, it may not be included in order to keep the price of the device competitive, and given the smaller display Apple may feel it's not even necessary. We'll keep hoping anyway.

It will be thinner and, of course, smaller

Steve Jobs was famously never a fan of smaller tablets, describing them as "dead on arrival". Well, the Kindle's more than proved that there's a mass market for handbag-sized devices, and that market's only grown bigger since he passed away last year.

Rumors suggest that this new iPad Mini will have a screen-size of 7.85": slightly larger than a Kindle Fire, but still packing a decent screen-size in comparison to the normal iPads.

It will be released on the 26th October

If the iPad Mini is announced next Tuesday, then you can expect to be able to get your hands on the device by that weekend (it's probably your pay-day too!). As well as landing a stiff blow to the Kindle competition, the timing would also throw a spanner in the works for the release of Microsoft's Surface tablet, also due out on the 26th.

It will cost between $400 and $450

With the new iPod Touch retailing for around $300, it would be highly unlikely for Apple to compete with one of its own, comparatively weaker, devices. This price-point would sit comfortably between that of the Touch and the new iPad, while still making the tablet experience accessible to a wider market.

It will feature the new 'lightning' connector

Wired is reporting that the new iPhone 5 lightning connector contains a chip that's possibly designed to prevent the use of third-party cables. If that's true, expect the same connection for any new iterations of the iPad hardware.

It will use the iPad 2's components

We're unlikely to see the horsepower of the new iPad shoe-horned into such a small device at this stage, but having found a way to squeeze the iPad 2's A5 chip into the new iPod Touch, it seems like a no-brainer that it will also power the device that sits between the two in display size.

It will be Wi-Fi only

Rumors abound that, as part of the effort to keep the cost of the device down, the iPad Mini will only be able to connect to the net using Wi-Fi. Would that be a huge problem? Probably not, as long as you load up your content before heading out. Restricting the device to Wi-Fi would also allow the traditional iPads to retain some of their prestige.