Apple announces iPad mini media event for October 23rd

Apple announces iPad mini media event for October 23rd:

Image via Engadget

Apple has officially announced a media event for the much rumored iPad mini scheduled  for October 23rd. Apple today sent out invitations to the press as noted by The Loop. The event will kick off at 10:00 am PT and will be held at the California Theatre in San Jose, opposed to one of Apple’s usual venues. An October 23rd unveiling of the new 7.85-inch iPad would likely signal an early November launch and international rollout leading up to the holidays. Earlier this month The Wall Street Journal reported Apple’s supply chain in Asia has kicked mass production of the iPad mini into full swing.
As we reported earlier this week, Apple will also be unveiling its 13-inch MacBook Pro with Retina Display at the event alongside a refreshed Mac mini. We also showed you SKUs earlier today that hint at 24 new iPad models and refreshed iMacs.
Pricing for the iPad mini has been the biggest source of debate, with some analysts claiming Apple is not “cutting corners” on the iPad mini’s design despite trying to compete with pricing of 7-inch competitors from Amazon and Google. Yesterday, Bloomberg reiterated earlier reports that Apple is having production issues with iPhone 5 related to scratching on the device’s aluminum back. With delays and shortages still making an impact on supplies of iPhone 5, analysts have also suggested initial supplies of the new iPad will likely be constrained.