Apple confirms October 22nd event, expect new iPads

As we predicted, Apple has just sent out invitations to an event scheduled for the 22nd of October, simply saying "we still have a lot to cover".

The cryptic invite is most likely indicating the first official unveiling of the iPad 5 and iPad Mini 2 .

An updated iPad is expected to take design cues from the first generation iPad Mini with thinner bezels and a more streamlined shape, while the iPad Mini 2 is rumoured to make the jump to a retina display like the one used in the current iPad 4 . Naturally both will run the latest iOS 7 operating system, but other features like camera sensors, internal hardware and Touch ID fingerprint sensors are mere speculation at this point.

However, if rumours surrounding component shortages prove accurate, next week's event could merely be an unveiling, rather than a launch of any new hardware. Apple typically puts its new products on sale a week after revealing them, but broke that trend with the delayed launch of the iPhone 5s .

The event, which is due to begin at 10AM Pacific time (6PM here in the UK) at the Yerba Buena Center for the Arts in San Francisco, could also mark the unveiling of other Apple products, which have either been revealed or rumoured for some time. These include the already announced OS X Mavericks and an Intel Haswell-powered Mac Pro workstation computer, along with a new Apple TV and an updated Retina MacBook Pro , which is beginning to show its age due to previous generation internals.

There's also a slim chance Apple may finally reveal its iWatch wearable computer, but this is almost definitely not going to happen until next year at the earliest.

We'll know for sure what Apple has planned next Tuesday, but there's still plenty of opportunity for more leaks to give us a clue in the meantime. Otherwise, be sure to check back next week when we'll be covering the announcement.