iPad mini

Revamped iMacs, 13-inch Retina MacBook Pro due alongside iPad mini next week

As October 23 approaches, the word on the street is that Apple alongside the iPad mini will unveil a redesigned iMac with a curved shell "like a water droplet", updated Mac minis a new 13-inch MacBook Pro notebook featuring the Retina display. Hot on the heels of last month's introduction of the iPhone 5, fifth-generation iPod touch and the new iPod nano, Apple apparently isn't done updating its existing lineup, per one analyst who recently called for eight Apple product releases by end of 2012...

Alleged iPad mini prices leak

According to a purported screenshot claiming to be from an internal system of a German retailer, the iPad mini could cost anywhere between €249 for the entry-level model to €649 for the top of the line model. This translates to $320 for the base model and $840 for the flagship one, although U.S. prices are likely to be lower because gadgets in Europe typically cost more due to a higher cost of doing business on the continent. In total, eight different models are said to be on offer...

Reuters reaffirms reports of October 23 Apple event

Friday morning, a report surfaced claiming that Apple was planning to hold a media event on October 23 to announce the long-rumored iPad mini. But given that we heard a similar story for the 17th, we remained skeptical.

Then later that day, the well-connected Jim Dalrymple gave his "yep" of approval on the date, further confirming it. But if that's not enough proof for you, a major news outlet has just added its weight by backing the story...

Claimed photos of iPad mini battery surface

It seems like the long-rumored iPad mini might actually become a real thing this month. Multiple well-sourced reports are claiming that Apple is planning to unveil the tablet at an event on October 23.

With that in mind, we expect to see speculation and part leaks really ramp up over the next few weeks as we await Apple's announcement. In fact, today we've got photos of a purported iPad mini battery...

iBooks said to be major focus at iPad mini event

Yesterday, the elusive and long-rumored iPad mini event was as good as confirmed for October 23rd. AllThingsD reported the date, and the well-connected Jim Dalrymple gave his "yep" of approval.

And now that we know when it's going to be, the next question is what is it going to be? We'll see the smaller iPad, of course, but what else? Well the word is, there's going to be a focus on iBooks...

Report: iPad mini accessories waiting for Apple announcement to start shipping

Third-party accessory makers in Asia appear well-prepared for Apple's expected Oct. 23 launch of a smaller iPad. Nearly two dozen Asian add-on manufacturers have gadgets all set to sell when the reported 7.85-inch 'iPad mini' is finally unveiled, according to a Wall Street analyst.

Topeka Capital Markets analyst Brian White said he met accessory makers during a tour of Asia and found some add-on products already boxed-up and ready for shipping. At one point, White even handled a "pilot" version of the smaller iPad, which "he was easily able to keep in his coat pocket," according to AppleInsider...

iPad mini announcement confirmed for October 23

October 10 came and went without an Apple media event (here's why), but that doesn't mean the rumor-mill is standing still. According to a new report by a Wall Street Journal-owned blog, Apple will hold an iPad mini event on October 23 (that's a Tuesday). And instead of holding a presser at the Yerba Buena Center for the Arts, where the iPhone 5, iPads and other products were introduced in the past, Apple has reportedly opted for a more intimate setting at Town Hall Auditorium on its Cupertino, California headquarters.

UPDATE: Jim Dalrymple of The Loop has weighed in on the rumor with his trademark "yep".

The iPad mini: are you ready for Scuffgate on a grand scale?

October 10 has come and gone without an Apple invitation (Fortune's Philip Elmer-DeWitt who called for it apologized), prompting watchers to wonder about a smaller and cheaper iPad Apple's rumored to be close to launching under the iPad mini moniker.

According to a supply chain report today, Apple is facing quality control issues with the device's display and chassis, suggesting that shipments are not smooth at the moment due to low yield rates. The report notes that the iPad mini will come in native and black-colored aluminum chassis said to be "more vulnerable to scratching". That doesn't sound good.

The manufacturing difficulties are being blamed on anodizing, a finish process where aluminum thrown into a pool of chemicals and then running an electrical current through the acid bath, which produces a skin-deep layer that can easily be peeled off. The anodized finish process on the black cases for the iPad mini is reportedly "more critical", resulting in lower yield rates...

New study shows 40% of US teens own an iPhone

Despite Samsung's efforts to portray the iPhone as a device for older consumers, the iPhone is still extremely popular among teenagers. Piper Jaffray says that 40% of US teens now own the handset.

Gene Munster, an analyst with the firm, released a report today on his survey of US teenagers regarding what gadgets they're using. And judging from the results, Apple's iPhone and iPad are still on top...

Report: iPad mini is WiFi-only, Apple to update iPad 3 with UK’s 4G LTE and Lightning

We may have been exposed to a surprising amount of leaks pertaining to the looks and hardware features of a smaller iPad Apple is thought to be introducing later this month. One important feature has remained a mystery thus far: the device's price point.

With both Amazon and Google selling their seven inchers for just $199, Apple's mini iPad cannot and shouldn't cost substantially more in order not to ruin its chances in the marketplace.

Among the possible tricks Apple could employ in order to keep the costs down: re-using some of the iPad 2 components and yes - skimping on some features, including cellular networking...

Apple may have changed the iPad mini’s round shape design

Apple tomorrow is allegedly expected to invite select members of the press to an iPad mini-focused media event, likely to be held at some point next week. With part leaks, dummies, schematics, mockups, gorgeous renders and news of manufacturing ramp up all leaking on a daily basis, you'd be forgiven for thinking that the iPad mini design has been set in stone weeks ago.

A new report by a reliable Japanese blog now claims Apple's changed the iPad mini design and one "large OEM mobile accessory maker" had to throw cases it already made, likely based on same leaks and rumors we've been hearing about...

Nice close ups of iPad mini dummies

In between writing today's report of a "slicker-than-the-iPad-3" iPad mini and conceiving a poll about the perceived value of a non-Retina iPad mini, I've stumbled upon a new set of high-quality photographs showing a familiar looking iPad mini mockup next to the regular 9.7-inch iPad. Presumably, the snaps represent one of the iPad mini dummies floating around in Asia rather than the real deal, but nonetheless they offer a good comparison between the smaller iPad and its bigger sibling, in detail not seen before. Jump past the break for the full gallery...