People have been unofficially referring to Apple's much-anticipated 7-inch tablet as the "iPad Mini" for some time, and it looks like Cupertino actually likes the name.

Apple blog site Macotakara, citing information from an unnamed source, said Apple is officially planning to name the forthcoming 7.85-inch tablet the "iPad Mini." The source added that the device will sport the familiar iPad logo on the back of the case.

Signs are pointing to an October launch for the iPad Mini. Previously, rumors had been swirling that the tech giant would unveil the scaled-down tablet alongside the next-generation iPhone on Sept. 12. But now the word on the street is that Apple will raise the curtain on the new tablet at a separate event, and it won't hit store shelves until after the iPhone 5 is safely in the hands of the Apple faithful.

Recent rumors have suggested that the device will resemble a "big iPod Touch" with a thinner border around the edge than the 9.7-inch iPad $629.00 at Apple Store, as well as separate volume buttons. Also, the current iPad is famous for its high-resolution Retina display, but the rumored Mini may have a cheaper screen, allowing it to be priced competitively against Google's Nexus 7 and Amazon's Kindle Fire $199.00 at Amazon, both available starting at $199.

But while the new iPad's moniker is seemingly coming into focus, the name of the next iPhone isn't so clear. While most people have been referring to it as the iPhone 5, Apple may simply opt to call it the "new iPhone." The company broke from its numbering system for its third-generation iPad, the successor to the iPad 2, deciding instead to simply call the device "the New iPad," and may do the same with its next smartphone.

This Looks Like the First Photo of a Fully Working iPad Mini
Jesus Diaz

Knowing the accuracy of the iPhone 5 leaks and the increased number of photos of the 7.8-inch iPad parts from the same sources, I have almost no doubt that this is a real, fully working Apple iPad mini. That means that the launch must be really close right now.

The Chinese site Bolopad claims that these are exclusive shots of the real McCoy. Looking at past evidence, I'm afraid that we will have to believe them. It looks like all the other parts we have seen before: the holy daughter of a virgin iPad and the original JesusPhone.

I have to admit that I'm starting to think that all these leaks can't be just a coincidence. The iPhone 5 has been the most broadly leaked product in Apple's history. The new iPad mini is going to be the next. It almost feels like Apple is letting these products out of the factories to control market expectations and backlash from the press and consumers. Or perhaps Foxconn's workers are getting smarter at smuggling them out the factory. Or things have gotten so massive that it's impossible to control.

But I have the feeling that this is a new page from Tim Cook's book, who in public vowed for new heights of secrecy, but may have found a way to successfully neutralize negative opinions on an increasingly beige product line by allowing people an advanced look.

I don't know if Steve would agree with that strategy, but it seems to be working. [Bolopad via cnet]

The most significant update appears to be to iPhoto, which has gained over 30 new features and improvements in version 1.1, including support for the fourth- and fifth-generation iPod touch, new ink effects, and support for images of up to 36.5 megapixels on the iPhone 5 and third-generation iPad. A partial list of changes includes:
- Added support for iPod touch (4th generation and later)
- Coaching tips have been added to the Help system on the iPhone and iPod touch
- Effects now include six new Apple-designed ink effects such as Chalk and Palette Knife
- Images up to 36.5 megapixels are now supported*
- Full resolution photos can now be imported via iTunes File Sharing
- Tag albums can be created by adding custom tags to photos
- "Updating Library" alert appears less frequently
- Multiple photos can now be saved to the Camera Roll at one time
- Cropping presets now use detected faces to determine composition
- Tilt-shift and gradient effects can now be rotated