iPad Mini launching in October, Report

Apple is set to unveil a smaller version of its tablet iPad --popularly being called iPad Mini -- in October, according to a report in Fortune. The article by Philip Elmer-DeWitt cites a 'major Apple investor' as its source. 

According to the report, press invites to the iPad Mini launch event would go out on October 10 for the event scheduled for October 17. The device is expected to go on sale on November 2. 
Analysts believe the time to be right for the device to make it for the Christmas sales in the US. 

Earlier Bloomberg reported that Apple will use screens from AU Optronics and LG Display for a smaller version of the iPad to be released in October. 

The device is rumoured to measure 7.85 inches diagonally. Current iPads measure 9.7 inches. 

Smaller iPad is expected to help Apple fend off competion from the smaller and cheaper tablets from companies like Amazon Inc.