Rumor is that Apple will hold a very special event on Sept. 12. The general assumption is that Apple will announce the next-generation iPhone and a smaller iPad, but now some are suggesting that the Cupertino-based company will wait until October to talk about what's being dubbed the "iPad Mini" or "iPad Air."
Let's be clear: We don't actually know if Apple is even working on a smaller iPad. All we have to go on are reports from anonymous sources and leaked parts which are allegedly intended for this tablet. There's currently no official word from Apple confirming the existence of the iPad Mini. But where there's smoke, there's occasionally a fire.
Tech blogger/Apple watcher John Gruber — who has a good track record when it comes to reasoning out details — seems convinced that the smaller tablet is coming, but not until October.
"I don’t think Apple would want reviews of both a new iPhone and new-size iPad appearing at the same time," Gruber writes. "The iPhone is too big, too cool, and garners too much attention — and it’s in Apple’s interest to keep that attention undiluted."
Instead of having two new devices share the stage in September, Apple will likely use the first or second week of October — when it typically holds a music-themed event — to unveil the new iPad (and perhaps some new iPod devices), Gruber speculates. Jim Dalrymple, another well-connected tech writer and Apple follower with a solid track-record on rumors, is nodding along.
"Oh, that Gruber is a smart fellow," he simply adds.
For what it's worth, we frequently reach out to the folks at Apple and ask them if they're feeling crazy enough to chit-chat about their upcoming products, but as it's their policy not to address such rumors, we'll have to keep speculating until the cows come home — or until the Apple executives come to the Moscone Center.
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