More images of iPad mini leaked, show Lightning dock connector

From the looks of it, Apple is losing its cloak of secrecy, as the design of the iPhone 5 was revealed way ahead of the official announcement. Now, the latest information regarding the 7.85-inch iPad mini comes via a Twitter post by 9to5Mac researcher Sonny Dickson in which he displays images of the unannounced device. We can see that the device is being manufactured in two colours.

As per a related report by CNET, “The latest come from 9to5Mac researcher Sonny Dickson, who posted photos said to be of the iPad Mini and the new Lightning dock connector to his Twitter and Instagram accounts this morning. It's unclear whether the pictures are real or fake, but they seem in line with previous purported iPad Mini pictures.”

iPad mini images courtesy of Sonny Dickson

According to a recent report, it is believed that the iPad mini will come in two colour options, which are slate and black; and aluminium and white. The black variant of the iPad mini has been captured on camera, and that these images were supposedly taken by a source close to the Apple production line in China. The report highlights that the cases match with a previous leak about the iPad mini's parts, which portrayed two dock connectors, one in white and the other in black.

A report stated that like the iPad, the stereo mini jack Mini Jack placement seems to be at the top. There is a plastic cover for the Wi-Fi antenna and the dock Lightning connector is at the bottom. It also shows a NanoSim tray, which is the first evidence of 3G support in the iPad mini. The material of the back panel is anodised aluminium. Given the leaks of the iPhone 5, the rumoured imminent announcement, and the appearance of these shots, this relevation is credible.

According to an earlier report by Fortune, Apple will send invites to media houses today, and the agenda of the event will be a smaller version of the brand’s highly successful tablet. The report states, “This is a rumor we have no reason to believe except it comes from a major Apple (AAPL) investor who says he's heard it from "multiple sources". According to our source, who asked not be named, there appears to be some truth to the widespread rumours that Apple is preparing to launch a smaller and cheaper version of the iPad -- often called the iPad mini or iPad air, and usually described as having a 7.85-inch screen”.

Fortune's source went on to state that the invites would be sent out on the 10th of this month. The report adds, “If the rumor is true, and if Apple follows its usual scheduling protocol, that would suggest a special event to unveil the product on Oct. 17, with a launch day of Friday Nov. 2 -- plenty of time to capture holiday sales".