Does Apple finally have a response to the small side of the tablet market? Industry rumors point to “yes,” as the iPad mini is reportedly starting to roll out and gear up for sale later this year.

The Wall Street Journal claims that Asian manufacturers are starting to mass produce the new tablet, which is said to feature a 7.85-inch LCD screen with a 1024 x 768 resolution.

CNN chimes in that invitations will be sent out to members of the tech and computer media on October 10th:

This is a rumor we have no reason to believe except it comes from a major Apple (AAPL) investor who says he’s heard it from “multiple sources.”

What our source adds is the specificity of a date: The press, he says, can expect invitations to go out on Oct. 10.

If this turns out to be true, then the holiday season is going to see one of its most competitive sales months yet. Not only would the iPad mini be one of the hottest gadgets on shelves, but it would be butting up right against the Nintendo Wii and a whole host of Android tablets—not to mention the Google Nexus 7 and Kindle Fire HD.

Source: CNN, WSJ via The Sixth Axis