Apple may pop an updated iPad Mini in 2019

Apple will be plopping out new hardware at their second fall event, come the end of the month. Those that spend their days puzzling out what trillion dollar companies will aspire to sell us next think that there's a good chance that we'll see a refresh of the iPad Pro (possibly with a USB-C port baked into them) and refreshed MacBooks. Good stuff, all around, especially if they can figure out how to fix the hot mess that Apple currently has the nerve to call a keyboard.

But what's down the road? Ming-Chi Kuo thinks he knows. Kuo is a supply chain analyst for IT International Securities. It's part of Kuo's gig to try and figure out what products a company plans on making, based on the components that they order. According to Kuo, a new iPad Mini is a-coming.

From The Verge:

Kuo says that the new iPad Mini will get "an upgraded processor and a lower-cost panel," which would seem to position it as a smaller option for those considering Apple's entry-level iPad model rather than a miniature version of the iPad Pro. An iPad Mini update has been a long time coming - Apple last updated the device with the iPad Mini 4 back in 2015.

Kuo also says that Apple is still looking at either late 2018 or early 2019 for the AirPower charging mat along with the rumored AirPod update that would add a Qi-compatible case. It's still not clear whether those will be showing up at next week's event, or if Apple will even mention the still missing charging pad at all.

Given that I just invested in a new tablet not so long ago, I won't be looking to buy any of Apple's new swag this go-round. I am, however, curious to see how things turn out with the company's MIA AirPower charging pad. Back in the day, Apple would never have allowed anything out of the gate until the product was ready. Sure there have been massive goofs like Antennagate, but to announce a product and have it completely disappear immediately afterwards? I can't recall that having ever happened in their history (if I'm wrong, lemme know).

Image supplied by Apple