iPad Mini Launch On October 23 Claim Insiders

Apple's much-rumored iPad mini will make its official debut at an event on October 23, new rumors suggest, preceding Microsoft's Windows 8 launch by just a few days. The exact location of the event has not been confirmed, but AllThingsD's insiders hint that it will be more of an intimate affair than the iPhone 5 reveal, and it's suggested that it could well be at Apple's own Town Hall Auditorium.

Although initially tipped to take place next week, with invites said to be going out this past Wednesday, Apple failed to make a squeak about a new event. That prompted some suggestions that unforeseen supply chain issues had delayed Apple's production of the smaller tablet, though according to these sources that's not actually the case.

Hardware-wise, the new iPad mini is expected to use a 7.85-inch LCD IPS display, running at the same 1024 x 768 resolution as the original iPad and iPad 2. That would slot it in-between the iPod touch and the 9.7-inch existing iPad in terms of size. A Lightning connector also seems inevitable.

Meanwhile, a slight refresh to the larger iPad has also been tipped for the same time, swapping out the 30-pin Dock Connector for Lightning. Apple is said to be aiming to preserve the bigger slate's premium position by limiting the new iPad mini to WiFi-only, with no 3G/4G option.

If the rumors are true, and there really is an October 23 event, then Apple's usual approach of giving a week's notice should mean we'll see invites distributed on Tuesday next week.

Update: Jim Dalrymple, well known for his inside knowledge on Apple, has chimed in with a simple "yep" on the talk of an October 23 event.