Apple's iPad and Mac event confirmed for October 16th

Apple will hold an event on October 16th, according to invitations sent out from the company to press this morning, where it is expected to reveal a new range of iPads alongside Mac updates. The event, with the tagline "It's been way too long", will take place at Apple's own campus in Cupertino, CA, and kick off at 10am PST next Thursday. It comes only a few weeks after Apple's big iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus event.

Although Apple's invitation gives little away, as usual, we do have some ideas as to what we might expect.

Leaked images purportedly showing the iPad Air 2, the second generation of Apple's iOS tablet, have emerged recently, alongside specifications said to be of the new slate.

Meanwhile, it's also been suggested that Apple's Mac range will see a significant change on Thursday next week, too. A high-resolution iMac to support OS X Yosemite's refined graphics is one possibility, though a new Mac Mini is also rumored.

Finally, it's possible that the Apple TV could get a revamp; in fact, the set-top box is long overdue an update, that change being the "way too long" Apple refers to in its invitation.

One possibility is that a new or updated model could be the central hub for Apple HomeKit, the company's play to dominate the smart home segment. New software released earlier this week quietly added HomeKit features to the Apple TV.

We won't know for sure until Thursday, October 16th, but SlashGear will be there to bring back all the news as it breaks.