Apple Ipad mini launch

Apple's iPad mini launch: Live coverage

    >Device expected to have 7.85inch screen
    >Could go on sale on November 2nd, reports claim
   > Firm also completely revamped its Mac computer range with new Macbook 13 inch computer with high definition Retina display, Mac mini computer and thin iMac desktop computer


Apple boss Tim Cook has taken the stage at San Jose's California theatre to introduce Apple's latest blockbuster product - which is believed to be a mini tablet set to fend off competition from Amazon’s Kindle Fire and a raft of relatively cheap smaller tablet computers.

He promised 'We've got some really exciting things to show you', and revealed the firm has sold more than 3m of its new iPods and sold more than 200 million devices running iOS 6, the latest version of its mobile software.

Cook also revealed Apple has now sold over 100m iPads around the world.

The firm also completely revamped its Mac computer range with a new 13 inch Macbook laptop, a Mac Mini computer the size of several CD cases and a new thinner iMac desktop computer.

Apple's Phil Schiller first introduced a new version of the firm's popular 13inch Macbook portable computer that is .75inch thick and has the firm's high resolution retina display.

It will cost from £1449 ($1699 in the US), and is available from today.

the firm also showed off a new version of the Mac mini, its small Mac the size of several CD cases which will cost from $599 in the US.

The firm also revealed a new thinner version of its iMac desktop computer just 5mm thick, but dumps the optical drive found in previous versions (although Schiller said a seperate drive was available 'for those stuck in the past')

It will be available with a 21.5inch and 27inch screen, and goes on sale in November costing from $1799 in the US.

The firm also revealed a new version of its iBook reading software, adding a continuous scrolling support and Japanese text.

The new shrunken iPad is rumoured to have a screen that is 7.85inches across the diagonal – which compares to 9.7inches on the original version.

The firm is also rumoured to be introducing a new Macbook computer with a high definition Retina display, and possible new iMac desktop machines.

Interest in the new gadget has been huge - with monitoring firm Experian Hitwise saying 1 in every 6000 UK internet searches last week were for the iPad mini.

Piper Jaffray technology analyst Gene Munster said in a note to investors that he expects the iPad mini to launch on 2 November.

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