Apple’s smaller iPad will most certainly, almost definitely be called the "iPad Mini," Japanese tech site Macotakara reported Aug. 28, keeping the rumor mill turning with its confirmation of a name for a device Apple has yet to acknowledge it’s developing.
The device is expected to feature a 7.85-inch XGA display and likely is already in production. The Wall Street Journal reported July 5 that component suppliers had been alerted to ready themselves for "mass production of the smaller tablet."
What is new is Macotakara’s report that there is a "mysterious hole" beside the iSight camera. The hole is similar to the WiFi antenna on the third-generation iPod Touch, says the site, and is "covered by front glass."
Could this be infrared burst technology, like Samsung included in the Galaxy Note 10.1? The technology enables the newest Note to be paired with an HDTV and used as a universal remote. Analysts expect Apple to release a television in late 2012 or early 2013.
Still more "confirmation" of Apple news comes from All Things D, which has reported that Apple will hold separate press events to introduce the iPad Mini and its newest iPhone. While it has been widely rumored that Apple will introduce the iPhone 5 (another unconfirmed device name) Sept. 12 and begin shipping the smartphone Sept. 21, All Things D’s sources point to an October timeframe for the iPad Mini’s introduction.
Among the rumors, a Sept. 12 iPhone 5 introduction seems the likeliest. If Apple’s competitors aren’t privy to its timetables through manufacturing channels, then they’ve also bought into the mid-September timeframe. Several of them have scheduled events — and likely device launches — for early next month.
Nokia has invited some members of the media to a Sept. 5 event, where it will almost certainly introduce its newest smartphone (or smartphones) running Microsoft’s Windows Phone 8. Motorola also has a New York-based event planned for that day, while Amazon plans to make news in Los Angeles Sept. 6.
To read the original eWeek article, click here: iPad Mini Name, Separate Apple Event ‘Confirmed’: Reports
