An inside source who is “familiar with Apple’s plans” told tech blog All Things D that Tuesday, October 22 will mark the Cupertino tech giant’s next press event – widely rumored to mark the unveiling of two new iPads.
“The focal point of the gathering will be the latest updates to the company’s iPad line, but the new Mac Pro and OS X Mavericks will likely get some stage time as well,” All Things D stated. The source declined to elaborate on the location of the event, but it is expected to be held at either Apple’s Town Hall Auditorium in Cupertino of the Yerba Buena Center for the Arts in San Francisco.
If the October 22 event becomes a reality, we are less than two weeks away from a duo of new Apple slates. With a steady stream of rumors flowing in over the last few months, a likely vision of the new iPad 5 and iPad Mini 2 is not hard to imagine.
Sonny’s shell shots
Since late August, popular Apple leaker Sonny Dickson has been posting photos of iPad 5 and iPad Mini 2 rear shells and front panels. Recent photos show off more detailed views and color options (Silver and Space Gray), with the full-sized iPad 5 taking the shape of a blown-up iPad Mini. The bezels appear smaller and both new slates look thinner overall. Additionally, the one-piece volume rocker will be separated into two parts for both the iPad 5 and iPad Mini 2.
iPhone 5s similarities?
The newly released iPhone 5s may give us a preview of the updated technology that will set upcoming iPad models apart from their predecessors. Specifically, the iPad 5 and iPad Mini 2 may both incorporate Apple’s impressive new 64-bit A7 processor.
Deutsche Bank went as far as scaling back PC growth estimates based on the anticipation of 64-bit architecture coming to the iPad, which will “enable a greater array of enterprise app development and facilitate a greater enterprise penetration over time.”
Though a German security company was recently able to bypass it, Apple’s new Touch ID fingerprint scanner may also become an addition to the next-generation iPads.
Last month, a Chinese tech site leaked photos of a gold iPad Mini 2 – which also appeared to show off a home button that was identical to the one found on the Touch ID-packing iPhone 5s. Dickson also uploaded a photo to his Twitter account that appears to be an iPad-sized Touch ID sensor.
Where are the Retina Minis?
Yet another analyst has stated that the iPad Mini 2 might not be ready until next year. While touring Chinese and Taiwanese factories, a Cantor Fitzgerald analyst claimed that sources “made no mention of a second-generation iPad Mini, leading [him] to speculate that the device may not launch this month.”
A Reuters source said that Retina Mini production was stalled because of supply chain issues – due to “delays in Apple's certification of panel producers, which were given strict power-saving requirements.”
Expect official Apple invitations to reach members of the press soon, which will likely confirm the October 22 event. Check The Diplomat for more updates as they become available.