Hidden Clues In Apple’s iPad Event Invitations?

Yesterday Apple started to release invitations for its media event that will be held in less than a week, on October 22nd. The invitations say “We still have a lot to cover”. At the October 22nd media event, Apple is expected to unveil two new iPad models (the fifth generation iPad and the second generation iPad mini), updated Mac computers and also OS X Mavericks, which will most likely be released later this month or in early November. After the media event on October 22nd, Apple will likely release the new Mac software and hardware within a week, maybe two. The release date for both the iPad 5 and the second generation iPad mini is rumored to be November 1st.

Let’s talk about the invitations to the media event. Everybody knows that Apple likes to hide clues in the invitations it sends before its events; these clues usually hint at the products that are going to be unveiled. In the past, Apple teased iPad and iPhone features using tags like “Let’s talk iPhone” referring to Siri debuting with the iPhone 4S, or “We have something you really need to see. And touch” referring to the third generation iPad with Retina display. This time, the message (and possible hint) is “We still have a lot to cover”.

There is of course the possibility that the “We still have a lot to cover” message doesn’t hide any clues. It may literally mean that there is a lot to cover; at next week’s media event, Apple is expected to unveil many products: two new iPad models (the fifth generation iPad and the second generation iPad mini), updated Mac computers and also OS X Mavericks, maybe even new Apple TV hardware. Since most Apple media event are only 60 to 90 minutes long, there would literally be a lot to cover in such a limited period of time.

While the above scenario is a possibility, we are still wondering ‘what if the tagline does hint at something’? Keeping in mind that the media event on October 22nd will mostly be about the two new iPad models, there is a chance that Apple will make its “Smart Cover” even smarter when both the iPad 5 and the second generation iPad mini will be released on November 1st.

While the iPad is a wonderful device for both web surfing and gaming, it is also used in many other ways by consumers, some using the tablet for productivity purposes. It is possible that, in a desire to make the iPad line more work efficient, Apple will give up on adding more buttons or functions, instead redesigning the tablet’s Smart Cover for things such as more viewing angles. It is also possible that this time the cover could include a keyboard, that will be very helpful to consumers using the iPad for productivity purposes.

If that will happen, an iPad Smart Cover with an integrated keyboard, it may seem like Apple looked for inspiration at Microsoft’s Surface tablet, that has Touch and Type Covers that integrated QWERTY keyboards (with lots of functions and shortcuts). And while there is no doubt about who has the market share, as Apple’s iPad reigns supreme in the tablet market, the iPad would really need its own integrated keyboard. So far Apple relied on third parties, such as Logitech to develop iPad friendly keyboards – there is the Ultrathin Keyboard for iPad, which is probably the best iPad keyboard on the market.

At first glance, an improved Smart Cover may not seem that big of a deal for the iPad; however, if the Cupertino based company manages to make an iPad Smart Cover that is both useful for typing and protective, then it will transform its iPad into a low price laptop, starting at only $499. If it will be similar to Logitech’s Ultrathin Keyboard Cover for the iPad, then it may serve to different purposes: it will be both a keyboard and a kickstand and that will fix the problem consumers encounter when trying to type using the iPad. If Apple will manage to make a Smart Cover that will transform the iPad into the ideal device for games, web surfing, work, then the iPad 5 with the new Smart Cover could mark the beginning of the end for the laptop market as we know it. But that’s a bit of a stretch now, so let’s wait and see what happens next week, on October 22nd.

What To Expect At The Oct. 22 Event

As we already mentioned, the focus of the media event will be the unveiling of the two new iPad models, the iPad 5 and the iPad mini 2. Regarding the fifth generation iPad, Apple is rumored to release it with the same 9.7 inch Retina display as its predecessors, but a smaller and lighter form factor, similar to the iPad mini. Rumors suggest that the fifth generation iPad will be released with the exact same dimensions of the current iPad mini, so you can expect the iPad mini’s thickness, thinner side bezels and symmetrical speakers, but also the same aluminum unibody and less tapered back that will help when holding the iPad 5.

The 2012 released iPad 4 is powered by the A6X System on Chip, including a dual core CPU and a quad core GPU. While there is the possibility that the fifth generation iPad will be powered by the same A6X System on Chip, considering that Apple whenever debuts a new main iPad also upgrades its System on Chip, we expect the fifth generation iPad to be powered by the A7 System on Chip that is currently powering the iPhone 5S, or some variation of it – probably the A7X SoC, which would of course be the same A7 System on Chip, just optimized for the iPad. If Apple will include the A7 SoC in the iPad 5, then it may also include the M7 motion co-processor that can also be found in the iPhone 5S. The M7 motion is not essential for a tablet but Apple may take the chance to test it before using it in the company’s long rumored smart watch, the iWatch. Another very important thing to note is that if the iPad 5 will be powered by the A7 System on Chip (or the A7X), then it will be able to support the Touch ID security system so there is a good chance that we may see a fingerprint sensor in the iPad 5.

Regarding the second generation iPad mini, things are not very clear as rumors have been conflicting so far. A few rumors and leaked images, suggest the second generation iPad mini will be released with the same form factor as the current iPad mini. This could mean either that Apple won’t focus on a redesign and instead the iPad mini 2 will feature slightly upgraded specs and a much needed Retina display. Or it may mean that the second generation iPad mini will not feature a Retina display; instead it will have vastly improved specs (maybe even a fingerprint sensor, though it’s not likely as that will require the newer A7 System on Chip that will probably be used in the iPad 5) and maybe even a gold color variant; that won’t replace a Retina display but judging by the success of the gold iPhone 5S, it could make customers forget about the lack of a Retina display. In case the iPad mini 2 will be released without a Retina display at the beginning of November, rumors claim a Retina display iPad mini will be released in early 2014.

In addition to the unveiling of the two new iPad models, we expect that at the October 22nd media event Apple will also reintroduce OS X Mavericks (which was announced back in June at WWDC) and new Mac hardware and software, such as an updated MacBook Pro with Retina display, a new Mac mini and the redesigned Mac Pro that was also unveiled in June this year. Apple may also have a few surprises in store for next week’s event, rumors point to new Apple TV hardware and even an announcement regarding the company’s first smart watch, the long rumored iWatch. Most of the Mac hardware that will be unveiled at the media event will probably also be released next week; the two new iPad models on the other hand are expected to be released next month, on November 1st.

Are you excited about the upcoming new iPad models; what are you interested in – the fifth generation iPad or the second generation iPad mini? And do you think there is a hidden clue in the invitations? Leave us a comment in the dedicated section below.