What to expect from the iPad Mini announcement

It’s been a rumour for years, but there’s only less than a day until Apple shows off a new, smaller version of the iPad at a special announcement in San Francisco tomorrow.

The fact we know a lot about the device before its confirmation is a testament to the rumour mill frenzy in the past year, with pictures of various cases and accessories having made their way online.

But there’s still a lot we don’t know. Pricing is still up in the air, and Apple isn’t going to hold a conference for just one product – it’s sure to have a few other things up its sleeve.

So what can we expect from tomorrow’s iPad announcement?

iPad Mini

This will be the main event. The smaller version of the iPad was originally off the table for Apple, but the success of rivals like Google and Samsung has forced its hand.

We know a lot about the iPad Mini. We know it’s going to have a screen of about 7.85 inches, and that it will be as thin as or thinner than the iPad 2. It will also have some higher quality speakers, cameras, and a Lightning connection port.

But we don’t know the price, for instance. Some leaks have said about $US300 or so, based on estimates of building costs and a history of Apple’s healthy margin. That seems a little on the expensive side for such a tablet, but Apple has never been a company to discount.

Based on rumours in the past couple of days, Apple will be targeting the education market here in a big way. If that’s true, then expect the tablet to be on the cheaper side of $US300.

The price will be one of the most interesting revelations from tomorrow’s event, so be sure to keep an eye on that.

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