( CNN ) -- One of the worst-kept secrets in tech has been confirmed : Apple will hold an event October 23 in San Jose , California , at which the company is widely expected to unveil a smaller , cheaper version of its popular iPad . Apple sent e-mails to members of the press Tuesday that read simply , `` We 've got a little more to show you . Please join us for an invitation-only event at the California Theatre in San Jose on October 23 at 10:00 a.m. '' Unlike last month 's invite to the unveiling of the iPhone 5 , which contained a not-so-subtle `` 5 '' in its graphic , Tuesday 's colorful rainbow design offered few hints about what Apple might announce , although the word `` little '' could be a clue . Numerous news reports suggest the secretive company will introduce a 7- or 8-inch version of its popular tablet , which currently has a nearly 10-inch screen when measured diagonally . Apple has not confirmed any of these reports , of course . Nor have they revealed what such a mythical device may be called , which has n't stopped the tech media from labeling it the `` iPad Mini . '' Other details about the rumored tablet remain vague , although some analysts predict it will not have the high-definition `` retina display '' that 's on the current iPad . Most observers believe it will be priced under $ 300 . A smaller iPad would allow Apple to compete head-to-head with rival small tablets , such as Amazon 's Kindle Fire and Google 's Nexus 7 , that have weakened Apple 's domination of the tablet market . Those devices are priced in the $ 200 range , while Apple 's current iPad lineup starts at $ 399 for last year 's iPad 2 and $ 499 for the third-generation iPad released in March . Tuesday 's Apple invite came the same day prices were revealed for Microsoft 's upcoming line of Surface tablets , which will start at $ 499 and hit stores October 26 . Some reports also say Apple will introduce other new products at the event , including a 13-inch MacBook Pro with `` retina display '' and an upgraded Mac Mini .
Apple sent invites to members of the press Tuesday for an October 23 event . The company is expected to unveil a new version of its mobile operating system, iOS 7, and will also announce plans for a major software update later this year.