According to a number of new reports, it is expected that Apple will announce its next generation iPhone as well as the iPad Mini on September 12. The Cupertino California company is said to be announcing these products well before the holidays in order to shore up considerable consumer attention before the holiday season. Bear in mind though that this September 12 release date is an unofficial rumor.

Apple usually sticks to its year long release cycles. The iPhone 4S was announced last year on October 4 and it began shipping on October 14. Considerable rumors have pegged the release of next generation iPhone in October 2012, however today's rumor contradicts previous ones. It is now being reported that the new iPhone will be announced on September 12 and will begin shipping on September 21.

The iPad Mini is still its elusive self. We have read a lot of rumors about this 7.85 inch mini iPad, but nothing has been said officially about the existence of this tablet. Last we heard, Foxconn Brazil was to exclusively manufacture this device. According to today's rumor, the iPad Mini will also be announced on September 12, however it has not been revealed when the tablet will be available for purchase.

It seems logical for Apple to release two new products together ahead of schedule. Seeing how the holiday season is coming up, Apple can make use of the extra time and attempt to gain more consumer interest through marketing and advertising. Moreover with Google Nexus 7 and the Amazon Kindle Fire being heavy competitors in the mini-tablet market, Apple would surely want the iPad Mini ahead of the pack, rather than lagging behind it.