iPad Mini to be launched next month

Apple is believed to be launching an iPad Mini in October, and now fansite Apple.pro claims to have photographed the eight-inch evolution of the iPad.

Apple is notoriously secretive on the run-up to new launches, but leaks from within the industry, including from suppliers and partners, have all but confirmed the device is on its way this Autumn.

The Apple Mini is believed to sport an eight-inch screen, making it a shrunken version of the iPad’s ten-inches.

This will allow a higher degree of portability over previous models, and also give Apple the ammunition to compete with Google, which recently brought out a seven-inch range of Nexus tablets.

Apple.Pro also reports this is a 3G-capable model, meaning you can use data on the go.

While Steve Jobs was famously against smaller iPads, the success of the Nexus and Amazon’s “Fire” of budget tablets appears to have convinced Apple there is a market for the slim-line device.

Rumors from Apple suppliers suggest the innards of the Mini will be equivalent to an iPad 2, which analysts suggest will be more than enough to power the shrunken device.

The third iPad had a specification increase but also increased slightly in weight due to the demands of the high-definition Retina display.

Apple is also believed to be announcing the iPhone 5 during September, although it has not yet confirmed a launch date.

The new device which is expected to boast a display of less than eight inches will be unveiled at a separate event, so as not to dilute the impact of the iPhone’s launch, according to analysts.

“I don’t think Apple would want reviews of both a new iPhone and new-size iPad appearing at the same time,” said Daring Fireball’s John Gruber.

“Why share the spotlight? Why have another Apple product battling with the iPhone for the top spots in news coverage?

“The more I think about it, the less sense it makes for the iPhone to even share the stage at the announcement with any other product.

“The iPhone is too big, too cool and garners too much attention – and it’s in Apple’s interest to keep that attention undiluted.”