Apple sends invites for expected iPad mini launch on Oct 23

Apple sent out invitations Tuesday for an event in exactly one week's time where the company is widely expected to unveil a new "iPad Mini," a smaller version of its market-leading tablet computer.

"We've got a little more to show you," said the invitations for the October 23 event in San Jose, California.

Reports have been swirling for months about the smaller version of the market-leading iPad, but Apple has made no comment.

Some blogs which closely monitor Apple say the new tablet could be priced from $249 to $399, which could pressure rivals such as the Amazon Kindle Fire.

The event comes a little over a month after Apple released the iPhone 5, the latest model of its iconic smartphone, which was greeted with record sales.

The October 23 gathering comes three days before the release of Microsoft's new Surface tablet and two days before Apple reports quarterly earnings.

The Wall Street Journal has reported that Apple has begun production of 10 million of the new iPads.

Various reports have cited the specifications of the new tablet and some pictures have also leaked. It is expected to have a screen of 7.85 inches (20 centimeters) compared with 9.7 inches for the current iPad.

The 10-inch iPad has long dominated the tablet market, but faces a growing challenge from smaller models such as the Kindle Fire, the Google Nexus 7 and the Samsung Galaxy.

Some reports said Apple may also unveil a new version of its MacBook Pro notebook computer.