Apple is finally set to announce the new iPad mini tablet device at a special invite only event at Apples Town Hall Auditorium on October 23rd,according to a new report by AllThingsD. The website has good track record of predicting Apple press conferences in the past having correctly predicted when Apple would unveil the iPad 2 as well as the latest new iPad model. If these reports are to be taken as truth it would mean Apple are attempting to steal the thunder from Microsoft by unveiling the new iPad just days before Microsoft launches its new Windows 8 operating system and new tablet device Surface. The new iPad mini is widely believed to be a 7.85 inches in screen size and is Apples attempt to movie into the smaller 7 inch table market which is currently occupied by the likes of Amazon (Kindle) Samsung (Tab), Google (Nexus), Barnes & Noble (Nook) and RIM (PlayBook). The move into the smaller size tablet market came as somewhat as a surprise bearing in mind that it was a move that the late Steve Jobs was initially fiercely opposed to however it appears his position may have softened shortly before his sad untimely death As with all things Apple there have been plenty of leaks of the purported new device ahead of its launch such as one from Australian writer Sonny Dickson, who tweeted pictures of the purported "iPad mini a few days ago. So Apple fans, mark your calendars for October 23rd