While very few suspect that the iPad Mini is not real, new photos and video suggest that it is real and it's coming very soon.

According to CePro, iPort, which offers developer kits for third parties to build their own LaunchPort inductive-charging mounts for iDevices, built prototype LaunchPort for the upcoming iPad Mini.

iPort is a division of Dana industries and sister company of Sonance.

"Currently, the big thing at iPort is LaunchPort, arguably the 'world's first inductive charging and mounting system for iPad,' as iPort calls it: Wrap your iPad in the LaunchPort sleeve, snap it into the mount, and poof it charges.

"Now iPort is preparing for the forthcoming iPad Mini, a smaller version of its big brother. iPort has worked from reports and rumors of the new product to build a prototype of the 7-inch device," CePro reported.

"We even guessed the weight," says iPort CEO Ari Supran, CEO of iPort, Sonance and sister company TruFig.

WPTV reported last week that the tech blog Gizmodo published pictures recently of someone holding a working iPad Mini in their hand.

"It looks very similar to the current 9.7 inch iPad, but appears to be about two-to-three inches smaller in diameter," WPTV reported. "They show a smaller iPad with an aluminum shell and slightly thicker edges than the current third generation iPad. It has two cameras, front and back, and appears to have a small lightning connector, just like the new iPhone 5 (that will not fit current chargers and docks)."

According to iDigitalTimes, a video recently surfaced on YouTube that shows an actual iPad Mini.

YouTube user Gizchina writes: "This is a world exclusive hands on video with the new iPad mini dummy model bought from an electronics market in China. While this dummy doesn't function it does give us some hints and ideas as to what the new iPad mini will feature once launched."

According to MetroUK, Apple will launch the iPad Mini at an event on Oct. 10.

The date coincides with an earlier rumor.

A new report revealed that media will soon see an invite for an iPad Mini launch event by Oct. 10, which would mean that it will be unveiled soon after.

"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," eWeek reported. This prediction was made by Jefferies analyst Peter Misek.

Apple will then release the iPad Mini around mid-October.

In terms of price, Apple might launch the iPad Mini at a $250-$300 price point to stay in competition with Amazon's new Kindle Fire HD and Google's Nexus 7.

According to Ewan Spence at Forbes.com, he believes also that it will be around the same price as Apple's new iPod Touch.

"From the evidence today, I'd expect to see a 16GB iPad Mini with Wi-Fi connectivity to launch at $299, with a 32GB model at $399, and a 64GB model at $499."

According to ZDNet, an iPad Mini "would ideally need to be priced at or below $299 in order to remain competitive in the face of the iPad 2 and 3."

Reports say the iPad Mini will be more affordable and come with a powerful processor. 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 and Siri. It is also said to have a smaller dock connector, two speakers, and thinner bezel. It may also feature a music service similar to Pandora radio, Retina Display, and FaceTime.

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