Apple iPad Mini to steal MS Surface glory

Apple to announce smaller and cheaper iPad before Microsoft's Windows 8 and Surface tablet. The biggest launch in Microsoft's history is due this Friday but Apple intends to steal the company's thunder tomorrow by announcing a smaller and cheaper iPad that could attract the lion's share of attention this Christmas.

The tablet computer dubbed the iPad Mini is due to be announced from 4am AEDST tomorrow and is rumoured to feature a 7.85-inch screen, wi-fi connectivity and a body about half the size of the current iPad.