Rumors of Apple iPad event in late October build

Amid sagging tablet sales, Apple could benefit from an update to its iPad line.CNET

Rumors continue to percolate that Apple is planning to unveil its updated iPad tablets in late October, though there is still uncertainty on which models will show up at the event.

The Daily Dot last week reported that Apple will host an event on October 21, introducing the new iPad Mini and iPad Air, along with a refreshed version of the Mac operating system. This week, though, the Chinese publication Commercial Times suggested that only the iPad Air will make an appearance at next month's expected event. The next-generation iPad Mini may not come until early next year, the publication said, followed by the iPad Pro -- a rumored device that would have a bigger screen than the current two models -- in the second quarter of 2015.

Apple could certainly use a boost to the iPad, the company's second biggest moneymaker after the iPhone. In July, Apple reported another round of disappointing iPad sales, saying sales declined for the second consecutive quarter and again missed analysts' projections. CEO Tim Cook defended the device's sales, saying the company is "very bullish about the future of the tablet market."

Apple declined to comment.Forecasting a late-October iPad event looks to be a safe bet. The tech giant previously introduced new iPads on Tuesday, October 22, 2013, and Tuesday, October 23, 2012. And, it just so happens that October 21, 2014, is also a Tuesday.

The iPad rumors come just as Apple launched the new iPhone 6 and 6 Plus, both bigger-screen smartphones that have already broken company records in their first few days of sales. A successful launch of the iPad could help Apple protect its dominance in the tablet market and reinvigorate tablet sales.