Apple invites spark iPad Mini mania

Apple has sent out invites for a scheduled event in California next week, where it's expected to release the iPad Mini to the media.

Offering only the teasing "We've got a little more to show you" line to reporters, the tech giant doesn't hint at what will be revealed, but speculation continues to suggest it will be a smaller tablet version of the iPad.

Of slightly larger size to Amazon's Kindle Fire device, the iPad Mini is expected to incorporate a 7.8-inch screen on the diagonal compared to the current 9.7-inch screen for the iPad.

According to Mobile Geeks last week, the company will release 16 versions of the device including memory, colour and network options.

German electronics retailer Media Markt are rumoured to have the product in 16 flavors in its inventory system.

The inventory apparently shows the tablet available at 8, 16, 32 and 64GB configurations, coming in either black or white with a choice of 3G or Wi-Fi connectivity.

Apple also ordered 10 million iPad Minis from Asian suppliers last week, which is more than double as many products as Amazon’s lower-priced Kindle Fire.

“Apple did not skimp on the aesthetics of the much anticipated ‘iPad Mini,” said Tokepa analyst Brian White to All Things D.

“In fact, we believe the ‘iPad Mini’ could outshine the new iPad in terms of how the device feels in a consumer’s hands.”

“The new ‘iPad Mini’ is more challenging to produce than prior iPad iterations.

“We believe supply will initially be constrained.”

Apple shares rose $14.02, or 2.2%, to $648.78 in midday trading Tuesday after the invite.