iPad mini 3 Release Date 2014: Apple to Launch Tablet at October Event?

The long wait may finally be over. Just a few hours from now and we will finally witness Apple's most-awaited October event. With less than a month after it released its new iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus, Apple is again expected to showcase new products.

While everything remains as rumors and speculations, many believe that the October event will focus on the launch of the next generation of iPads. Some of the most-awaited new products include the new iPad Mini 3 and iPad air 2.

According to a report by MacRumors, Apple has already started shipping "mass quantities" of the new product into the U.S. as it will be made available in the market by October 24. The information that was shared to MacRumors from an unidentified "source that has provided accurate information in the past." 

The source, however, did not share what the specific new product was, but MacRumors thinks it is likely an upcoming iPad. Apple has not confirmed or provided substantial information on this.

Meanwhile, PC Advisor said that they are "fairly certain" that the iPad Mini 3 would come this month. Like MacRumors, PC Advisor presumes that it would be launched at the keynote event and would be available to buyers as early as November. It claimed that earlier rumors were say the new iPads would be launched together with the new iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus last September but this obviously did not push through.

One rumor also noted that the new iPad Mini would be an iPad Mini air. But PC Advisor was quick to say that they are not convinced that it would be an iPad mini and iPad air rolled into one.

The site also believes there will be a new iPad Mini color -- a gold one to match those of iPhone 5s, iPhone 6, and iPhone 6 Plus.

MacWorld also said one of the new features being eyed on the new iPad Mini is the touch ID fingerprint sensor.

It is expected that the iPad Mini 3 would have an A8 processor and an improved camera. It could have an 8 megapixel rear camera as well. Current iPad Mini has a 5 megapixel rear camera.

PC Advisor said it is likely Apple would stick with the 7.9 inches display with a 2048x1536 resolution that the old iPad Mini version has.

Apple will likely continue with its 16-, 32-, 64-, and 128 GB storage options. And since no major changes and features are foreseen to be added to the new product, it is expected that iPad Mini 3 would cost the same as its earlier version.