iPad Mini announcement next week?

Apple may be just one week away from finally announcing its long-rumored iPad Mini. Invitations to a special press event were sent to media recently, including GameSpot sister site CNET, with a tagline of "We've got a little more to show you."

The Apple invitation confirms a report from last week, which indicated press invitations would be mailed in October with an event to follow later in the month.

Nothing official is known about the iPad Mini, but competition in the tablet market has ramped up of late. Last month, Amazon announced revisions to its Kindle Fire line; Google has its quad-core Nexus 7; and the Nook HD from United States bookstore Barnes & Noble ships next month.

The third iteration of the iPad was released in March, and sported a 9.5-inch screen. An earlier report suggests that the iPad mini will boast a 7.85-inch screen.