iPad Mini Rumors: Latest on Release Date, Name, Specs

Over the past few days, the iPad Mini rumor mill has been hard at work, producing some interesting notions to think about in the build up to the device’s presumed release sometime later this year. Here, we fill you in on all of the latest news regarding the iPad Mini’s release date, specifications, design, name and a whole lot more.

Apple is expected to release a new iPad sometime this fall, ahead of the holiday shopping season. The iPad is said to be a smaller iPad featuring a 7.85-inch display as opposed to the 9.7-inch display on the new third-generation iPad that is on shelves.

Read: Amazing New iPad Mini Photos Leak

Thus, the device has taken on the moniker of iPad Mini, though, as you’ll find out, that may not be the name it takes on if and when it decides to hit shelves.

Right now, with rumors heating up, we appear to be closer than we ever have been to the first holiday launch of an iPad so join us as we fill you in on the latest regarding Apple’s smaller iPad, the iPad Mini.

iPad Mini Launch Date

Today was supposed to be the day that Apple sent out invites for the iPad Mini launch event. And while the day is still young, Apple typically sends out its invites early in the day to get the most exposure.

We haven’t seen any invites arrive yet and we suspect that today might come and go without them. This isn’t surprising given the previous rumor was just that, a rumor. It also did not see the usual backing from other sources, something that often happens with Apple product dates.

What this means is that the iPad Mini launch date, which was once presumed to be October 17th, is still up in the air. It could be that today’s date was not too far off in terms of the invites and we’ll see something arrive soon.

Reports claim that Apple has placed 10 million iPad Mini orders already so it appear that we’re closer than we have ever been to launch. Just when that launch is exactly remains unclear.

iPad Mini Release Date

Based on the October 10th invite rumor and the October 17 launch date, it was thought that Apple might release the iPad Mini on November 3rd. That date was theorized based on typical Apple protocol when it comes to scheduling. However, now that it seems highly unlikely that invites will roll out today, the iPad Mini release date, like the launch date, is completely up in the air.

Read: If You Want an iPad Mini, Be Prepared to Preorder Else Expect Delays.

Previously, we had heard that October would likely be the launch month and at this point, there is no reason to believe that still isn’t a possibility. And if that does happen, the release date will definitely be in November given the time Apple generally takes between launch and release.

No specific date has been rumored just yet however.

iPad Mini Name

The common name that people have been using for Apple’s smaller iPad is iPad Mini. However, that name may not be the name that Apple bestows upon its 7.85-inch iPad. Interestingly, Apple insider John Gruber of Daring Fireball used another name when discussing the iPad Mini’s capabilities today, referring to the device as iPad Air.

Apple uses the ‘Air’ moniker with its MacBook line of laptops which are extremely thin.

We do know that the iPad Mini will likely be thinner than the regular old iPad so it’s possible that Apple might use ‘Air’ as a way of representing that. It could also be that Gruber just used the name randomly but at this point, iPad Mini and iPad Air are the front-runners.

iPad Mini Features

Over the past few weeks, we’ve gotten a pretty good idea about what to expect from the iPad Mini from a feature standpoint. The device still looks like it will be sporting a 7.85-inch display though the Wall Street Journal says it will have lower resolution than the regular iPad which has a Retina Display. This seems to point to the iPad Mini as not having a Retina Display.

As for the design, it still looks like it will sport thinner bezels making it look like a larger iPod touch. However, one analyst seems to think that the design will be slicker than the new iPad’s saying that it will be much nicer to hold in the hand. In addition, a report from Macotakara claims that Apple may be tweaking the design of the iPad Mini though the design changes remain unknown.

Read: iPad Mini May Skip 3G, Feature Wi-Fi Only.

Another feature of the iPad Mini that has been in dispute over the past few days is its cellular connectivity. Earlier this week, a report from The Guardian claimed that the iPad Mini would be Wi-Fi only and would skip 3G or even 4G LTE connectivity. Previously, this was presumed to be a possibility.

John Gruber kept a sliver of hope alive today saying that he believes the iPad Mini, or iPad Air, will come with 4G LTE support like the larger iPad. So, at this point, this remains one of the mysteries surrounding the iPad Mini.

It still looks like it will come with at least 16GB of space and will come with a cheaper price tag than the larger iPad.

The camera situation remains unresolved however and it’s possible that Apple could include just one or maybe even no cameras at all to keep costs down.