Apple to Host iPhone Event in September, iPod and iPad Mini Event October

Rather than overwhelm the public with a slew of mobile refreshes, Apple may instead hold two separate events, one to debut the iPhone and another to unveil a refreshed lineup of iPod devices as well as to introduce a new and often rumored iPad Mini with a 7.85-inch display.

It has been speculated that Apple would hold a special iPhone event on September 12 and would offer pre-orders of its next-generation iPhone 5 the same day, with the phone becoming available on September 21. At the time, it was also rumored that Apple would use the same September 12 event to introduce a refreshed lineup of iPod devices as well as the iPad Mini, however according to John Gruber of Daring Fireball, Apple may decide to hold off on introducing the non-phone mobile products for a separate event the following month in October.

According to Gruber, Apple may not want the other products to compete for attention with the iPhone. By solely introducing the iPhone at the September 12 event, the flagship iOS smartphone would receive all the attention at that press event. This would allow consumers to focus their attention on buying the iPhone.

But the more I think about it, the less sense it makes for the iPhone to even share the stage at the announcement with any other product. The iPhone is too big, too cool, and garners too much attention — and it’s in Apple’s interest to keep that attention undiluted.

Historically, Apple holds its music event–which is centered around iTunes and the iPod, in early October and Apple may continue to do so and introduce the iPad Mini at that time. Given that the latest rumors point to an iPad Mini that follows the iPod Touch’s design, Gruber’s speculations make sense for the iPod Touch and iPad Mini to be grouped together for launch.