Apple is slated to hold an iPad media event on October 15, 2013. Invitations for the event is expected to be released to the press this week, following Apple's tradition of giving out press invitations a week before its keynote events.
Apple is set to launch the iPad 5, which is expected to have a major redesign, the first in recent years. The fifth-generation iPad is expected to come be lighter and thinner, similar to that of the first-generation iPad Mini.
However, despite rumors that the iPad Mini 2 would be launched on the same day of the iPad 5, latest reports state that the second-generation mini tablet will not be launching next week, and that it will be pushed back to next year.
The new iPad mini is rumored to pack a retina display using Sharp's IGZO tenchnology. However, some rumors state that the display will be made by Samsung instead. But the launch date of the iPad mini will reportedly be set back due to shortage of supply.
Last year, Apple launched its first iPad Mini device and its fourth-generation iPad at a similar event in October.
The new iPad Mini 2 and iPad 5 are expected to pack the A7 chip, which powers the iPhone 5S. It is also expected to feature the all new M7 chip, a motion co-processor that is also featured in the iPhone 5S. Both the iPad Mini 2 and the iPad 5 is set to have retina displays.
Apple is rumored to be offering the new iPad Mini in a new Space Gray color with anodized aluminum.
Apple's gold color iPhone 5S sold out within days as the popularity of the gold-color smartphone has been overwhelming. The popularity of the new gold color lead to rumors that the next iPad Mini 2 will also be available in the same color.
Recent leaked photos show what appears to look like a gold-colored iPad Mini 2. Chinese website DoNews posted photos of what they claim to be a gold or champagne colored iPad Mini with Touch ID fingerprint sensor.
