No one knows what will happen at the iPhone 5 event scheduled today at 1 p.m. ET, but many Apple fans are hoping that the giant company will announce the long-awaited iPad Mini.
Apple hasn't confirmed the little tablet yet, but many tech reports and analysts believe that Apple is working on a smaller iPad to stay in competition with other tablets such as Amazon's new Kindle Fire HD and Google's Nexus 7.
Recent new leaked photos released the day before might give a hint that Apple might just unveil the new little tablet, even though new reports are saying October.
According to VentureBeat, a French site called NowhereElse released photos that look like the iPad Mini.
According to Apple Insider, Apple will unleash eight new products set to go on sale, including the iPhone 5, iPad Mini, new iPods and updated Macs.
According to Ming-Chi Kuo with KGI Securities, September is also likely to see the unveiling of a 13-inch MacBook Pro with Retina display, a new iPod touch, and a new 21.5-inch iMac.
Then, in October, reports have indicated that Apple is planning to hold a second media event at which it will unveil a smaller iPad with a 7.85-inch display. Joining the so-called "iPad mini" in October, according to Kuo, will be a new iPod nano, a "modified new iPad," and a new 27-inch iMac.
As for the "new iPad" that Apple is apparently planning to launch, Kuo said the hardware will look largely identical to the current model. He said the most noticeable change will be adoption of the new 9-pin dock connector Apple is expected to feature in the new iPhone, iPod touch and iPad mini.
The new iPod touch and iPod nano will also feature new panel technology and sport all-new designs this year, according to Kuo. In particular, the new iPod nano is expected to feature wireless connectivity that will allow it to download content from the iTunes Store and iCloud.
Finally, as for the new Mac hardware, Kuo said the 13-inch MacBook Pro with Retina display will feature an all-new design and an entry price between $1,100 and $1,300. However, the new iMac will not have Retina display, just updates and improved display quality.
Many reports are saying that Apple won't unleash the iPad Mini until October.
In August, a report suggested that the iPad Mini will launch in October.
According to Tech Crunch, well-connected and professional Apple dot-connector John Gruber said that there will be two separate events.
"I'm thinking it makes more sense for Apple to hold two events. First, an iPhone event, focused solely on the new iPhone and iOS 6. Then, the iPhone ships nine days later, and there's another wave of iPhone-focused attention as the reviews come out. Then, in the first or second week of October, Apple holds its traditional "music event", exactly along the lines of the events at which they've been debuting new iPods for the last decade," Gruber said.
Gizmodo reported that Gruber traditionally has been spot on when it comes to Apple things.
TechCrunch reported that there is no real reason Apple should have the two devices "crowd each other."
According to eWeek, Jefferies analyst Peter Misek said that Apple will not launch the iPad Mini today, but will in October.
"Misek predicts Apple will begin retail sales of the iPhone 5 on Sept. 21, followed by a release from Apple two days later tabulating weekend sales," eWeek reported. "By Oct. 10, Misek said he predicts an invitation for an iPad Mini launch event will be mailed out to the media, followed by the formal announcement of the device by mid-October and culminating with the launch of the iPad Mini at the end of that month."
A report by Barrons also suggested that the iPad Mini will not launch until October.
"Conventional wisdom seems to say that Apple should "sell-off" out of the iPhone launch event slated for this Wednesday - and in fact that sell-off may have already begun. But we believe these "trades" are hard to time, and we can't recall a time when an important launch like the iPad mini followed on Friday a major iPhone launch so closely. As a result, investors may have to get ready for yet another event rather quickly if the iPad mini is not launched on Wednesday and is slated for October," reported Barrons.
Many also expect Apple to announce their new operating system, iOS6, at the Sept. 12 event.
As for the iPad Mini, Reports say that the new little iPad will feature a 7.85-inch IGZO display with 330 pixels/inch, 1024 x 768 resolution. It will be more affordable. It is also assumed that the new tablet will feature Apple's upcoming operating system, iO6, which includes a new, Google-free Maps app, and Passbook, and promises better Facebook integration, better maps, and better video conferences that use cellular data, according to Entrepreneur.com. It is also said to have a smaller dock connector and thinner bezel. It may also feature a music service similar to Pandora radio, WiFi, and Retina Display.