Bits Blog: Apple Likely to Introduce Smaller iPad in October Event

People are still having trouble finding Apple’s new iPhone, which is selling out in stores, but the company is already planning to introduce another new product in an event later this month: a smaller, lighter version of the iPad.

The event, which has not yet been announced, will be held Oct. 23, according to a person briefed on the company’s plans, who did not want to be identified talking about products that had not been announced yet. The location of the event has not been confirmed, but Apple typically hosts its product events either in San Francisco or on its campus in Cupertino, Calif.

All Things D, the tech news blog, earlier reported the October event date. Whispers about a smaller iPad began in July.

The event will take place just two days before Microsoft holds an event to release Windows 8, its new desktop and tablet operating system.

Is Dust 514 Coming Out in October?

The IGN readers strike again. This time, a news tip has come from Uzair Syed, who linked us to this video from Fox Business. In that video, Sony Computer Entertainment America’s President and CEO Jack Tretton sounds off on PlayStation 3 and PlayStation Vita, but it’s something he says about the upcoming PS3-exclusive free-to-play shooter Dust 514 in particular that proves mighty interesting.

When asked about the trend towards cheaper and outright free-to-play games, Tretton notes that PlayStation platforms already have free-to-play titles. “We do have free-to-play games. A game called Dust 514 is a full-blown first-person shooter available on PlayStation 3 that not only allows you to play against your friends on PS3, but also against people on the PC.” When asked for clarification on if it’s “Dust” or “Dusk,” Tretton confirms it’s Dust, following up with a seemingly innocuous statement: “Coming out next month.”

There’s also plenty of interesting data in the video interview. Over 100 million PlayStation Network accounts have been created, and 44 million of them are in the United States. 2.2 million PlayStation Vitas have been sold worldwide, along with 63.9 million PlayStation 3 consoles. Over 21 million PS3s are owned in the US.

We’ve reached out the PR firm covering Dust 514 on behalf of developer CCP to confirm or clarify Tretton’s statement, and will update when we hear back.

Rumor: Lumia 920 and Galaxy Note 2 Coming October 21

Nokia and Samsung got us all excited when they announced their top-of-the-line phones for the fall - the Lumia 920 and the Galaxy Note 2. But both events were soft-releases; i.e. they failed to mention anything about when we can buy the things or what they'll cost.

If a report over at BGR is right, Nokia's Windows Phone 8 flagship and Samsung's latest "phablet" beast will be available the same day: October 21st.

AT&T hasn't confirmed the leak, because that kind of thing just never happens, but the article cites a "trusted source" who (we're willing to bet) works for the carrier. This wouldn't be the first time a wireless provider leaked a high-profile release date.

Will the phones be available from other carriers on the same day? That would certainly make sense given how hard they're being pushed. And Samsung has previously stated the Galaxy Note 2 will come out sometime in October.

Can you wait 'til late next month for the Lumia 920 or Note 2? Let us know in the comments.

Jon Fox is a Seattle hipster who loves polar bears and climbing trees. You can follow him on Twitter and IGN.