Apple will unveil its next-generation iPads at an event Oct. 21, according to a Daily Dot report (via Reuters).
The publication's sources familiar with the matter added that the Cupertino-based company will release its new Mac operating system update, OS X Yosemite, following the event.
Bloomberg similarly reported earlier this week that Apple was planning a "mid-October" event for the new iPads, which are believed to be refreshes of the Air line and Mini line dubbed the "Air 2" and "Mini 3." Apple suppliers have reportedly kicked off manufacturing of the next-generation Air and were set to enter production of the new Mini last month, Bloomberg's sources familiar with Apple's plans informed them.
The new iPads would be a crucial addition to the Cupertino-based company's lineup for the holiday shopping season, especially considering sales of tablets have dropped for two straight quarters.
According to an earlier report, the Air 2 will feature the same design as its predecessor, but will come equipped with a new Apple A8 chip (compared to the A7 in the Air) and a better 8MP camera.
See Also: iPad Air 2's Protective Case Leaks with Mysterious Opening Near Camera Hole
The A8 chip will allegedly bring with it a 50 percent increase in performance, iClarified notes. The device's display, meanwhile, will be made by LG, Samsung and Sharp, with the former being the first to start making the displays, which will reportedly be a 9.7-inch LCD with the same resolution (2048x1536) as the current Air.
Well-connected analyst Ming-Chi Kuo of KGI Securities has stated he believes the Air 2 will offer an A8 chip built by TSMC, Touch ID fingerprint security and an 8-megapixel rear-facing camera.
Specs details for the Mini 3 have been sparse, but it also expected to arrive with Touch ID, an Apple A8 and an improved camera.
Rumors about Touch ID's debut on an iPad have been tossed around basically since the release of the 5S and it would make sense for Apple to add the useful feature into its next wave of tablets, especially with the recent unveiling of the company's mobile payment system, Apple Pay.
