New iPads to launch on Oct 22

Euro iPhone News reports that the highly respected site – AllThings D expects that Apple is set to hold an event on Tuesday, Oct. 22, where it will unveil a new, redesigned fifth-generation iPad, as well as a second-generation iPad mini.

The date for the anticipated media event was leaked to AllThingsD yesterday, which cited unnamed sources. They also were the first to nail the recent iPhone launch date. In addition to new iPads, the event in two weeks is also expected to focus on the company’s revamped Mac Pro high-end desktop, and the forthcoming OS X Mavericks operating system update.

The next 9.7-inch iPad is widely expected to sport a redesigned chassis that will make it look more like a big iPad mini. Apple is expected to cut the weight and thickness of its full-size iPad, and give the device thinner side bezels.

AppleInsider exclusively obtained schematics being used by case makers that claim to show off the new design of the next iPad. Those images align with leaked parts purportedly for the fifth-generation iPad that have surfaced throughout the year. As for the iPad mini, it’s anticipated to feature a high-resolution Retina display with its second-generation model. Both devices are rumored to sport high-quality 8-megapixel rear facing cameras, equal with the iPhone 5.

Still unknown is whether either of Apple’s new iPads will sport the Touch ID fingerprint sensor the company unveiled in the new iPhone 5s.

The new iPads will hit the market ahead of the holiday shopping season, and at a time when traditional notebook PCs continue to struggle. Competition in the tablet space has heated up, with Amazon’s new Kindle Fire HDX, Microsoft’s Surface 2, and Google’s Nexus 7. Microsoft already announced its Surface 2 lineup last month, with the new hardware set to go on sale Oct. 22, the same day as the expected Apple announcement. How much coverage will Surface 2 generate?

Oct. 22 is also the same day that Nokia is scheduled to hold an event in Dubai where it is expected to introduce its own tablet hardware.

All will be revealed in two weeks time.