iPad Mini 3 Release Date, Specs: New Apple iPads Expected October 2014

Following Apple's release of its iPhone 6, rumors are buzzing that the next Apple devices that will be unveiled next are the iPad Mini 3 and the iPad Air 2. During its Apple Event Sept. 9, Apple not only launched its highly anticipated iPhone 6 series but also provided clues on the release of its next iPad Mini and iPad Air.

Since Apple usually releases its latest gadgets on a yearly basis, the iPad 2 may be launched a year after the release of the first iPad Air, which was done in Oct. 2013. If this trend continues, Apple may unveil its new iPad Air 2 and iPad Mini 3 next month.

The two devices may also have the same retail availability date, probably in November or a month after their initial announcement.

During Apple's presentation last Sept. 9, head honcho Tim Cook unveiled the iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus. He likewise announced the coming of the Apple Watch, HealthKit and HomeKit platforms.

However, he did not mention about Apple's new tablets. People were expecting to see glimpses of the new iPad Air or iPad Air 2, the iPad Mini 3 and even the iPad Air Pro, but Cook failed to mention any of these long awaited gadgets.

Earlier, there were rumors that Apple might launch the iPad Air 2 and iPad Mini 3 on Oct. 21. But Cook's silence seemed to dispel such rumors, although some industry insiders continue to insist that the iPad Air 2 will be launched next month.

With Apple keeping its lips sealed, only few details about the iPad Air 2 have been leaked online. Sources say the iPad Air 2 will feature Touch ID, 9.7 inch Retina display and will be even thinner and lighter than the current iPad Air model.

The design of the iPad Air 2 is expected to be almost the same as the current iPad Air, since this design has drawn positive responses from users. The gadget is also expected to have an 8 MP rear and 1.5 MP front camera.

The same sources say the iPad Air 2 screen might be coated with a new type of anti-reflective coating to increase outdoor visibility and legibility. The display might feature the same pressure sensitive function on the Apple Watch.

The iPad Air 2 will presumably be powered by Apple's A8 CPU coupled with the M8 motion co-processor. A case of the device leaked only shows an opening near the camera. Insiders say this could either be iPad Air 2's laser autofocus, similar to the LG G3, or a LED flash.

Regarding the iPad Mini 3, it will most likely sport a thinner build with the gold color option available, an 8 MP camera and 16, 32 and 64 GB storage configurations, powered by the same A8 CPU, and backed by 2 GB RAM.

Both the iPad Air and iPad Mini will most likely run iOS 8, enabling them to be paired with a MacBook running OS X Yosemite.