iPad mini release date, news and features

UPDATE: Check out our Hands on: iPad mini review

The rumours were plentiful, the hype was typical and the world stopped to watch as Apple live streamed its first event since 2010, the iPad mini was surely finally upon us.

In true Apple fashion the invite gave us a cheeky tease, stating: "we've got a little more to show you."

Just as the iPad mini launch was getting ready to start, a last-minute rumour came in to say that Apple already had iPad mini Smart Covers ready and waiting.

Apparently set to be named iPad mini Smart Cover, that pretty much ended other rumours that the shrunken iPad might be called the iPad Nano.

At the launch...

To kick off proceedings, Tim Cook talked up the iPhone 5, iPod touch and iPod nano, revealing that 200 million devices are already upgraded to iOS 6 before throwing out some App Store stats.

What's more, Cook revealed that the iPad has been a big seller for Apple. Since the tablet's introduction nearly three years ago, 100 million iPads have been sold. And, iPads account for 91 percent of web traffic on tablets.

Moving on, the 13-inch MacBook Pro broke cover. The lightest MacBook Pro ever, the new Macbook features a 2560 x 1600 resolution display, IPS panel, and 29% better contrast ratio.

Then we got something mini, but not the iPad mini yet - a new Mac Mini. Four USB ports, SD card reader, HDMI, up to 16GB of RAM, and up to 1TB HDD or 256GB SSD.

And then Apple introduced a new iMac - the eighth generation model. Edge to edge display, 5mm thin at the edges, available in 27-inch and 21.5-inch models.

iPad 4 / 4th gen iPad

Apple then surprised us by announcing the 4th gen iPad, rocking a new A6X processor, doubled the CPU and graphic performance, still with 10 hours battery life.

Get the full lowdown in Apple breaks out 4th generation iPad.

And after the 4th gen iPad...

Deep breath...

iPad mini

Yes, the iPad mini was finally shown. Sporting a new design, the iPad mini is just 7.2mm thick and weighs just 308g, and the big news is that it packs a 7.9-inch, 1,024 x 768 screen - the same resolution as the iPad 2.

Apple has dubbed the iPad mini "every inch an iPad", highlighting the fact that the 275,000 iPad specific apps will run seamlessly on the smaller slate, so users won't have to worry about any unsightly black spaces as seen on the iPhone 5.

Get the full details on Apple's tiny tablet in our in-depth article iPad mini: 10 things you need to know.

Hands on: iPad Mini review

TechRadar got ahold of the new iPad Mini and we were surprised at how well it fits in the palm of our hands.

What's more, it's very light which will help cut down on wrist fatigue when you're watching a movie and holding the device.

Read the rest of our Hands on: iPad mini review.

iPad mini price

Additionally, Apple announced pricing for the iPad mini. For the Wi-Fi only models, prices start at $329/£269 for 16GB, then increase to $429/£349 for 32GB, and $529/£429 for 64GBs.

If you want to add cellular the iPad mini will cost a bit more, with 16GB coming in at £369, 32GB at £449 and 64GB setting you back a whopping £529.

These prices are considerably more than the likes of the Google Nexus 7 and Amazon Kindle Fire HD, and with Google expected to launch a 32GB Nexus 7 on Monday at around $249/£199 - that's a huge saving on the iPad mini equivalent.