The long-anticipated iPad mini is expected to be unveiled to the world at Apple's invite-only event on October 23 -- but that's not all. The Cupertino company will also announce a few integral changes to the full-sized 9.7-inch iPad, according to 9to5Mac.
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Additions and improvements to the third-generation Retina-display iPad reportedly include the incorporation of the eight-pin Lightning connector, which made its debut on the iPhone 5, fifth-generation iPod touch and seventh-generation iPod nano.
[More from Mashable: Apple May Discontinue iPad 2 to Make Room for iPad Mini]
The Lightning jack on Apple products replaces the 30-pin dock connectors, used to charge and connect older iPhone and iPad models to other devices. The smaller and reversible jack enabled the thinness of the iPhone 5.
Apple is also expected to talk about internal improvements to the 9.7-inch iPad, including international 4G connectivity capabilities, according to The Guardian. The iPad also stands to incorporate high-resolution indium gallium zinc oxide display technology, better heat dissipation and backlight changes, according to MacRumors.
The revised iPad stands to retain the same $499, $599 and $699 price tags for Wi-Fi models, plus the $629, $729 and $829 pricing for LTE models, according to 9to5Mac.
At next week's Apple event, the company is also rumored to introduce a 13-inch Retina MacBook Pro and new iMac desktops. Leading up to the highly anticipated iPad mini reveal, Apple is expected to discontinue the iPad 2 to make room for the smaller tablet. Some analysts project the smaller iPad mini will sell 7 million units by the end of 2012.
Does a new and improved full-sized iPad change your mind about possibly buying an iPad mini?
BONUS: The New iPad's Retina Display Close Up
1. Art Authority App
Here's Caspar David Friedrich's Wreck in the Sea of Ice (1798) from the app Art Authority, which was just upgraded to retina resolutions. Artwork really shows off the new iPad's new retina display -- besides the better detail, color saturation appears improved.
Click here to view this gallery.
This story originally published on Mashable here.