Rumors

The Chinese website WeiPhone has posted a few images of what they claim is the rear aluminum shell of the second-generation iPad mini. It's unknown if these are real or fake, but manufacturer AU Optronics has purportedly started manufacturing displays for the new tablet. So it's possible that these are in production too.

The images show an odd, possible pre-production, blue logo, and a thicker housing, which does coincide with current Retina display rumors. The iPad 3 saw a bump in thickness when it was released with Retina display in 2012. The only reason we're considering these images is because WeiPhone has a decent record of publishing leaked Apple images, like it did with the iPad 3's logic board in 2011.

Display manufacturer AU Optronics has caught up with iPad mini yields, and is working on Apple's next-generation 7.9-inch tablet, according to the DigiTimes. The original iPad mini has been in short supply since its release, but Apple has recently updated its online store listing as "in stock".

Industry sources also said AOU is working on new displays for the iPad mini 2. The second generation tablet is rumored to be receiving Retina display, which could increase the price. It is estimated that the new displays will raise production costs by 30%. If true, Apple could pass the extra costs onto customers.

Starting at $329 the iPad mini already costs more than most 7-inch tablets on the market, and adding a high resolution Retina display could make it even more pricier. According to iSuppli (via the DigiTimes), bumping the iPad mini's resolution from 1024x768 to 2,048x1536 would raise production costs by 30%. If true, these extra costs would either have to be eaten by Apple, or be passed onto consumers. Apple isn't known for increasing prices from on from one generation to the next, but it is hard to see how they can keep the iPad mini priced at $329 if all the rumored hardware upgrades are true.

A lot of people were displeased with the iPad mini's lack of Retina display, but a lot of people were also shocked by the $329 price tag. So will people be willing to pay more money for more resolution? I guess it depends on why someone wants a smaller tablet in the first place.

Some Apple fans have been waiting a long time for a 128GB iPad model, and it looks like they won't have to wait much longer. A well known US retailer shared a new iPad SKU with 9to5Mac. Here's what they discovered:

The P101 and P103 names are Apple’s internal nomenclature for the WiFi-only and Cellular-compatible fourth-generation iPads, respectively. Both of those models comes in 16GB, 32GB, and 64GB configurations. These storage sizes are known as “GOOD,” “BETTER,” and “BEST,” respectively. As you can see in our table above, Apple is preparing to release the additional “ULTIMATE” model. “ULTIMATE” frequently refers to the most premium or highest capacity model available. The “A” points to a black configuration, and “B” stands for the white option.

If you believe analysts and the rumor mill, Apple will be releasing a record number of iOS devices this year. There is the iPhone 5S, iPhone mini or "low-cost" iPhone, iPhone Math, the iPad 5 and iPad mini 2. The iPhone Math rumor was based on a poorly translated Chinese news report, however, the original rumor stated Apple would be releasing three iPhones in 2013. While it's safe to assume Apple is only working on the iPhone 5S and a low-cost iPhone, it's possible that Tim Cook and team are gearing up to refresh the entire iPhone lineup with three new devices. That would make the iPhone Math rumor plausible, minus the goofy mistranslated name.

While there are a lot of wild iPhone rumors floating around, it's just the opposite for the iPad. The iPad mini is only expected to get an upgrade so it can catch up with its bigger brother. This means a 7.9-inch Retina display, an upgraded processor, and more RAM. It has been rumored that Apple is toying with the idea of releasing the new iPhone in an array of different colors, maybe they will do the same with the iPad mini too... But that's doubtful.

With a new year comes fresh reports of Apple's upcoming device releases, and the iPad is no exception. Initial leaks indicate the next generation iPad will have a slimmer width from side to side. This form factor would essentially mirror the iPad mini, except with a larger screen size. Gizmag explains that the bezel on each side will be over 8 mm thinner.

Not only this, but the iPad 5 could launch as early as March 2013 thanks to new competition in the tablet market. The Next Web has already received evidence from developers that Apple is indeed testing new hardware. The company has also moved to source A7 processors from Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC) instead of Samsung.

Tom Warren of The Verge has dusted off the old Xbox Surface rumor by claiming Microsoft is working on its own 7-inch gaming tablet to compete with the iPad mini and other portable gaming consoles. Warren said "multiple sources familiar with plans within Redmond" have confirmed earlier leaked specs were accurate, and the Xbox Surface will run a custom Windows kernel. The new device will also feature a custom ARM processor and high-bandwidth RAM suited for playing games.

According to Warren's sources, Microsoft will develop the Xbox Surface in-house while any future "Xbox 720" console will be handled by outside companies like Pegatron or Foxconn.

"We've learned that part of the Xbox Surface is being developed at Microsoft's offices in Silicon Valley. The software giant recently locked down several Xbox-related buildings, limiting employee access to the company's Interactive Entertainment Business division. The lock down is likely related to Microsoft's increased testing of the tablet, providing a way for other parts of the Xbox team to build games and software for the device. Providing the project doesn't get killed in favor of a full 7-inch Windows tablet, in the same way Microsoft axed Courier, expect to see the Xbox Surface debut ahead of Microsoft's future Xbox console."

Many Apple fans were shocked by the $329 iPad mini price tag. Mostly because analysts predicted Apple would price the new tablet around $250 to $300 in order to compete with the Amazon Kindle Fire HD and Google Nexus 7. Phil Schiller defended the $329 price claiming shoppers will pay a little more for quality.

"The iPad is far and away the most successful product in its category. The most affordable product we've made so far was $399 and people were choosing that over those devices," Schiller told Reuters

But why did Apple really price the iPad mini higher than all the other 7-inch Android tablets on the market? According to the DigiTimes, the markup had nothing to do with "quality", but had to do with problems manufacturing the touch screen.

Is it time to say goodbye to the iPad 2? Rob Cihra, analyst with Evercore Partners thinks so. Cihra told investors Apple will most likely discontinue the second-generation tablet after announcing the iPad mini on October 23.

According to Cihra, Apple's goal is to offer "clearer product tiers", meaning the iPad mini will replace the iPad 2 as the lower tier entry product of the iPad lineup. If true, Apple will be replacing the $400 iPad 2 with a more affordable $300 to $350 smaller tablet. This has most analysts calling the iPad mini the "competition’s worst nightmare.

An October iPad mini announcement is looking better and better. The reliable and well-connected Jim Dalrymple confirmed John Paczkowski's earlier rumor which claimed Apple will hold a second fall product event to be held on October 23.

On Saturday, Reuters became the first major news outlet to reaffirm the October 23rd rumor. In an article titled "Apple to host October 23 event, iPad mini expected", Reuters cites another "source familiar with the matter", who verified Apple will hold an event on October 23, but declined to specify what for.