While many expected Apple to send out invites early this week for an event to launch its new "iPad Mini," Oct. 10 came and went - no invitation. Oct. 11 came and went, and again no invitation. But now it seems this may have been a classic bait and switch by the tech innovator, as a rumor today suggests Apple will in fact unveil the hotly anticipated device on Oct. 23.

According to All Things D, who cited "people familiar with Apple's plans," Apple will hold a press event on Tuesday, Oct. 23 to unveil the iPad Mini, two days before Microsoft unveils Windows 8 and its first tablet, the Surface at an event Oct. 25. A location for the Apple event hasn't been confirmed yet, but the blog speculates that the event will be held at Apple's Cupertino campus since the company already held a big press event in San Francisco for the iPhone 5 unveiling.

A report released by Fortune earlier in the month indicated Apple would send out invites for an iPad Mini launch event on Oct. 10, hold the event itself Oct. 17, and begin selling the device on Nov. 2. The magazine has since issued an apology for its mistake.

"My source was a major Apple investor who had heard it from three different sources. They were wrong about the timing," reporter Philip Elmer-Dewitt wrote. "I was wrong to pass the tip along. I don't know what I was doing in the rumor business in the first place. Mea culpa."

According to PC Mag, All Things D is one of the more reliable sources for Apple rumors. The site points to All Things D's correct prediction that Apple would not announce its iPad Mini at the Sept. iPhone 5 event.

Google is also expected to release a 7-inch tablet, the 32GB version its Nexus 7 tablet, "sometime around" Oct. 24, according to Droid-Life.

iPad Mini specs

7.8 inch screen with 1,024 x 768 resolution. The resolution will probably not be retina display, but it is possible it would have the same ppi as found on the iPad 2. The tablet would be able to handle all the apps. The design will stick to the same aesthetics of the iPhone 5 with an anodized aluminium back plate rather than a plastic build.

It will have two cameras, one front facing, for FaceTime or other video chat applications, and another, higher resolution rear-facing camera on the back. Sports a lightning port connector, like the iPhone 5. Likely an A6 processor, although, some sites are suggesting it may be an A5 like the iPad 2.

Google Nexus 7 Specs
Display:
Type - 7 in, IPS TFT active matrix - LED backlight

Display Resolution - 1280 x 800 ( 216 ppi )
Features - Scratch-resistant surface, Corning Gorilla glass

Operating System:
Android 4.1 Jelly Bean

Processor:
NVidia Tegra 3, Quad-Core

Memory: 
Flash Memory- 8 GB
RAM - 1 GB

Wireless Connectivity:
NFC, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi

Camera:
Front-facing Camera - 1.2 Megapixel

GPS Navigation:
GPS receiver

Expansion and Connectivity:
Interfaces - 1 x Micro-USB

Battery:
Capacity - 4325 mAh
Run Time - 10 hour(s)

Miscellaneous:
Sensors - Gyro sensor, Accelerometer, Magnetometer

Dimensions & Weight:
Width 7.8 in, Depth 10.45 mm, Height 0.4 in, Weight 0.7 lbs

Microsoft Surface tablet Specs

The RT has an HD screen, which various sources have reported is anywhere between 1280 x 800 and 1366x768, while the PRO has a 10.6-inch Clear type Full HD (1920 x 1080) screen with 16:9 widescreen.

The Surface tablet comes with five Touch Covers. Different from typical keyboards, the Surface keypads provide a brilliant typing experience thanks to their touch-based surface.

The Surface tablets mount both front and rear cameras. The front camera, named life cam by Microsoft, makes the tablet perfect for video chatting through Skype or other services. Using the rear camera, you can capture images and video clips.

The device comes in 32GB, 64GB and 128GB options. The 128GB is available only with Surface Pro. You can expand the memory using external memory sticks thanks to microSD card slot.

The 3mm Touch Cover can be connected to your Surface tablet with a single magnetic click, so, now you can type text and send messages quite easily.

The Surface's tablet housing features a revolutionary kickstand. Along with fully functioning keyboard and track-pad, the integrated kickstand helps you place the gadget in both portrait or landscape modes.

According to Bloomberg, Surface will only be able to go online using a short-range Wi-Fi connection. This is a stark contrast to Apple's iPad 3, which has a 3G option, and a faster LTE connection.