Refreshed Retina iPad mini With Touch ID Sensor to Launch Thursday: Report

Contradicting several reports in the recent past, a new report now indicates Apple will introduce the much-anticipated next-generation of its iPad mini with Retina display tablet at the upcoming October 16 event on Thursday. The report also details a few of the upgraded specifications.

Amidst the next-generation iPad Air rumours, a report from Mac Otakara (via Mac Rumours) states Apple will not only bring its Touch ID to both the next-generation iPad Air and iPad mini with Retina display tablets, but also update the Smart Cover and Smart Case lineup with new colour variants and a fresh design.

Other than the Touch ID fingerprint sensor, the second-generation iPad mini with Retina display is being tipped to feature the Apple A8 processor found on the iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus, and not the anticipated faster Apple A8X processor that is expected to ship in the iPad Air 2. The new iPad mini with Retina display is also expected to feature the same 7.9-inch display and resolution of 2048x1536 pixels as its predecessor.

The iPad Air 2 on the other hand is said to feature an Apple A8X processor, 2GB of RAM, a Touch ID sensor, and also a gold colour variant.

While the next-generation iPad mini with Retina display is now said to make an appearance at Thursday's event, the long-rumoured 12-inch Macbook Air on the other hand might skip the event and launch next year.

As per sources close to Apple's plans, the Cupertino firm may have a new Macbook Air with Retina display in the pipeline but it will not reveal the device in its October 16 event. The company is reportedly currently "re-imagining" its ultralight laptops. The laptops may arrive in 2015, probably alongside the release of Apple Watch and the rumoured 12-inch iPad Air Pro.

The October 16 event might revolve around the launch of new iPad models along with a new iMac with a 5K Retina display, a new Mac Mini, and the release of OS X Yosemite.