An iPad Mini?

Apple have long resisted the temptation to scale down their iPad, always claiming that their 9.7inch display was the ideal size for a tablet. For a long time, as consumers stayed away from more compact 7inch rivals in droves, they seemed to have a point.

But with Amazon and Google now both seeing success with low-cost 7inch tablets - the Kindle Fire and the Nexus 7 - the rumour mill suggests Apple may well follow suit to avoid being shut out of that sector of the market.

That said, it's hardly the first time "experts" have predicted a 7inch iPad, and they haven't been right yet. In addition, if Apple do decide to launch an iPad Mini, they might not do it at the iPhone 5 event - other rumours suggest they might hold a seperate launch in October, with a launch date that would make the most of the holiday season shopping spree.