Apple (accidentally) unveils iPad Air 2 and iPad Mini 3

With impeccable timing, coinciding nicely with the launch of arch-rival Google's new portfolio of Nexus smartphones and tablets, Apple has briefly let slip details of its forthcoming new iPad tablets.

The iOS 8.1 iPad user guide - it looks like the latest iOS 8 update will be released later today, too - appeared within iBooks on iTunes (in case you forgot about iBooks), and showed pages featuring the 'iPad Air 2' and 'iPad mini 3'.

So it looks likely that these are at least some of the new products that we'll see at tonight's Apple event, which starts at 6pm UK time.

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If the leaked images are accurate then we can assume that the devices will look very similar to the existing iPad Air (our Award-winner) and iPad Mini 2, but will feature the Touch ID fingerprint sensor, as debuted on the iPhone 5S and since seen on the iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus.

Faster processors and improved cameras are expected, while there are also rumours of a super-size tablet, in line with the rise of super-size phones. New Apple Macs and OS X Yosemite are also expected to be showcased.

All will be revealed later today, with Apple teasing this evening's event with the tagline: "it's been way too long".

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(via 9to5mac)

Joe is the Content Director for What Hi-Fi? and Future’s Product Testing, having previously been the Global Editor-in-Chief of What Hi-Fi?. He has worked on What Hi-Fi? across the print magazine and website for almost 20 years, writing news, reviews and features on everything from turntables to TVs, headphones to hi-fi separates. He has covered product launch events across the world, from Apple to Technics, Sony and Samsung; reported from CES, the Bristol Show, and Munich High End for many years; and written for sites such as the BBC, Stuff and The Guardian. In his spare time, he enjoys expanding his vinyl collection and cycling (not at the same time).