‘iPad Mini’ to get its own press event in October, after iPhone

Apple's latest rumoured gadget, the iPad Mini, is alleged to be getting its own moment in the spotlight, one month after the expected announcement of the iPhone in September.

While this is all still to be considered in the "rumours" category, All Things D is reporting the smaller iPad will make its debut in October, not at the same time as the currently unconfirmed September 12 new iPhone event. This goes against earlier reports that the iPad Mini would be announced at the same time as the newest iPhone.

[ Related: New iPhone 5 to be announced on Sept. 12: report ]

Attributing the news to "several sources," All Things D says Apple is holding off on talking about the iPad Mini, which is said to be less than eight inches, until the latest iteration of the iPhone is announced and on its way to being sold to the public.

As blogger John Gruber points out on Daring Fireball, it makes more sense having two separate announcements instead of one big one:

"I don't think Apple would want reviews of both a new iPhone and new-size iPad appearing at the same time," Gruber writes. "Why share the spotlight? Why have another Apple product battling with the iPhone for the top spots in news coverage?"

All Things D's sources wouldn't give anything else away, but that doesn't mean this marks the end of today's Apple rumours. More speculation about the rumoured smaller iPad was fueled by images of third-party accessories for the device, this time unearthed by gizchina.com.

The website found these pictures of cases being made by Chinese accessory manufacturers. Know Your Mobile points out that these are likely just rendered mock-ups or physical dummy models, as the companies making the accessories are unlikely to actually have gone hands-on with the new device. The timing of these leaks, however, does much to support the rumoured upcoming announcement about what will likely be Apple's new blockbuster device.

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