Apple will hold a launch event for the next generation iPad and iPad mini on 22 October according to John Paczkowski of AllThingsD and Current Editorials.  Paczkowski says his sources - who have proved reliable in the past - have indicated that Apple will hold an invitation-only event where it will announce the launch of updates to the iPad line, Mac Pro and OS X Mavericks.  Jim Dalrymple of The Loop also confirmed the date as accurate according to his sources - with his trademark one-word confirmation "Yep". Dalrymple, too, has a solid track record in confirming or rebutting rumours around Apple. Current Editorials has a less solid record, having previously suggested that the iPhone would be updated on 18 September; it turned out to be 10 September.  The next generation iPad 5 is expected to be thinner and lighter than the current generation full-sized iPad, with thinner bezels and body to match the industrial design of the iPad mini. It is also expected to run Apple's new 64-bit A7 chip, and could include Apple's Touch ID fingerprint sensor introduced in the iPhone 5S in September.  The iPad mini could also see an update, with upgraded internal parts and a high-resolution display - although there are mixed reports about whether it will move to a "retina" display.  Even before the sale date had formally been announced, the retailer John Lewis forecast on Wednesday that the iPad mini will be its best-selling technology device this Christmas. It reckons it will outpace Microsoft's Xbox One for sales. But it forecast that Samsung's Tab 3 tablet and Google's Nexus 7 will be the third and fourth best-selling.  Expectations are also high that Apple will announce the release of the latest version of its desktop software, OSX 'Mavericks', and set a date for the release of the new Mac Pro desktop computer. The latter was trailed in June, and will be the first update to the Mac Pro line since June 2012.  Apple declined to comment on reports of an event or the iPad. Last year the company issued invitations on Tuesday 16 October for a 23 October event, at which it announced the current fourth-generation iPad and iPad mini.  The current iPad featuring a 9.7in high-resolution screen, Apple's A6X dual-core chip and weighed 652g. The iPad mini features a smaller 7.9in lower resolution screen, runs Apple's A5 dual-core processor, and weighs 308g.  • iPad 5: What to expect
Growing number of sources say that Apple's tablets will see this year's update in event which is also expected to hear about OS X Mavericks release and long-awaited Mac Pro desktops. By Samuel Gibbs