If the rumors are true and if Apple is in fact launching the iPad Mini on October 23, like most sources are saying, then according to Slashgear.com the tablet will be available in stores as soon as November 2.
Earlier October, The Wall Street Journal reported that the company had already began production of the tablet. According the WJS article, accessible only through subscription, Apple has already started manufacturing the mini-tablet, which is rumored to be released later this month or early next month.
There are already a number of leaked photos making waves on the internet. One website Mac Otakara, even posted a video of what appears to be a mock-iPad Mini on its blog. The 60-minute video basically confirms all the suppositions made about the mini tablet. So far Here is what he know:
1) Features: The iPad Mini is that it will have Wi-Fi, a new array of applications, better Facebook and Google Map integration. According to a Forbes article the basic storage capacity of the iPad Mini will likely be 16 GB. The tablet will also have a lightning' 8-pin dock connector and Apple's popular Siri. There is a general consensus that the iPad Mini will have Apple's new operating system, iO6. There is also talk about Apple's very own music service, something analogous to Pandora Radio.
2) Price: The iPad sells at a starting price of $499 and highest range is $699, depending on the gigabytes. The iPad is available in 16Gb, 32GB and 64GB. The iPad Mini is said to range between $249 and $299 at a basic capacity of 16GB. It is still unclear whether the model will be available in higher GB. Apple's iPad Mini will compete with Amazon's Kindle Fire (16GB - $199) and Nexus Fire (16GB -$249).Ewan Spencer of Forbes.com said, "From the evidence today, I'd expect to see a 16GB iPad Mini with Wi-Fi connectivity to launch at $299, with a 32GB model at $399, and a 64GB model at $499." So its inexpensive price tag is likely to make it a hot-item on the gift list.
While all this speculation and prediction around the new tablet is gaining momentum Apple like always remains mum about any new product. So now we'll have to wait for October to see if the rumors are valid. It wouldn't be a stretch to say that Apple expects the iPad Mini to be a ubiquitous item on everybody's wish-list.
