Will Apple have not one but two big launch events in 2012? According to AllThingsD, the next generation iPhone will hit the market on September 2012 before the company launches the much rumoured smaller iPad.
Various sources speculate the iPad mini has a "special event" scheduled for October 2012. Why a separate event? John Gruber at Daring Fireball offers a theory-- a new-format device will dilute media attention from Apple's most valuable device, the iPhone.
Think of the iPhone as a diva, and it refuses to share the spotlight...
The Apple vs. Samsung patent trial did reveal how Apple does not even bother with paying for marketing these days. Not when the media creates the kind of buzz (via glowing reviews and excited news reports) other vendors crave and pay millions for, all without Apple paying a single dollar.
Of course, the company still has to confirm any of this-- and, knowing how secretive it is, we will only get confirmation just days before any actual event. Plus, will Apple even start selling a smaller iPad to begin with? Steve Jobs was opposed to such a device form factor, after all...
Go Confirmed: New iPad Mini to Debut in October (AllThingsD)
