Apple's iPad Mini seems to be a real thing as more news surfaces about the smaller tablet.

The rumor is that Apple will send out invites on Oct. 10, which is just two days away, for a press conference where Apple will unveil the iPad Mini on Oct. 17.

The new information is that Apple already ordered up to 10 million units of the iPad Mini, obviously anticipated a huge sale.

According to the Wall Street Journal, Asia component suppliers said that they received orders to make more than 10 million units of the iPad Mini in the fourth quarter.

"That is roughly double the order that were placed for Amazon's Kindle Fire tablets in the same quarter, these suppliers say," WSJ reported. "The figure indicates that Apple believes demand for the product will be strong, despite stiff competition in the market."

This may be a good time for Apple to come out with a smaller tablet since the demand is strong.

WSJ reported that analysts say strong consumer demand for Samsung's Galaxy Note 2 and Amazon's new 7-inch Kindle Fire shows demand for a smaller tablet. Apple is currently offering only one size, the 9.7-inch iPads.

"It makes sense for market leader Apple to extend its dominance in tablets with a smaller tablet,"said Capital Securities analyst Diana Wu.

The sales of the iPad Mini might help Apple stay on top in the tablet market.

According to market research firm iSuppli, Apple's share of the worldwide tablet market was 69.6% in the second quarter, down from nearly 84% in 2010, reported WSJ. The second-largest player was Samsung Electronics with 9.2% of the market in the second quarter.

"Analysts say the challenge for Apple will be to price the smaller tablet attractively in order for it to succeed," WSJ said.

"iPad mini will be a big hit if Apple prices it below $300," said RBS analyst Wanli Wang.

Many have been speculating the price of the Ipad Mini, which seems to be a make-or-break feature for the smaller iPad.

One analyst says that Apple might launch the iPad Mini at a $250-$300 price point, cheap enough to convince customers that the iPad Mini is a Nexus 7 or Kindle Fire alternative. Some say it will not have Retina Display.

Many believe that the iPad Mini will be priced similar to the new iPod Touch.

According to Ewan Spence at Forbes.com, he believes also that it will be around the same price as the 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."

Pricing may be an issue for the little Apple tablet. The Kindle Fire HD with 16GB costs $199 while the 16GB Nexus 7 costs $249 with all the Android content. According to Pop Herald, "If Apple will sell the iPad Mini with a $249.99 price tag, then it will be safe to assume that Apple can sell "millions." But what if the iPad Mini will sit within the $300 to $399 mark? Can it still lure customers?"

Amazon's new Kindle Fire HD is creating a huge buzz in the e-reader department, as well as Barnes & Noble, who recently unleashed their new 7-inch Nook HD, starting at $199, and 9-inch Nook HD+, which starts at $269. They also recently announced that the company is launching Nook Video this fall in the U.S. and the U.K.

The biggest competitor seems to be the Google. It was recently reported that the company is making two new versions of their popular Nexus 7, with one being $99.

iPad.Blorge reported that Apple is planning some kind of Keynote address this month, the normal time for a music-related announcement. Apple tends to hold Keynote addresses on Wednesdays, so their guess is that Apple will announce the iPad Mini on Wednesday, Oct. 17, and begin pre-orders on Sept. 19, that Friday after.

Then for the release date:

"Our guess is that it will take at least two weeks, which means Apple's iPad Mini would release to the masses on Nov. 2 - just in time for the holidays."

CNN agreed, saying that if Apple follows its usual protocol, then Apple will unveil the iPad Mini on Oct 17 with a launch day of Friday, Nov. 2.

Reports say the 7.85-inch 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 the new Lightening dock connector, two speakers, and thinner bezel. It may also feature a music service similar to Pandora radio, Retina Display, and FaceTime.

Will you be getting the iPad Mini? Sound off below!

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