The next version of Apple's would be unveiled on October 22. This was reported by ABC News, citing information from technology website AllThingsD. According to ABC News, AllThingsD had kept a long track record of correctly reporting event dates from Apple. The news channel pointed out that AllThingsD also correctly reported the launch event of the iPhone 5S in September before Apple gave official invitations to members of the press. Although Apple did not comment on the reported launch date, ABC News reported that last year, it was around the same time in October when Apple unveiled the fourth-generation iPad and iPad Mini.   

Research firm International Data Corporation (IDC) indicated in its report in August that Apple's iPad shipments were lower than expected in the second quarter of 2013. In the first quarter, there were 19.5 million iPads shipped. Second quarter shipments fell to 14.6 million units. IDC said the expected launch of its new tablet products would enable Apple to post strong growth in the next quarter.

However, Android tablets had overtaken Apple's iOS tablets in terms of market share. In 2012, IDC reported that Apple held 60.3% of the market share of tablet products compared to Android's 38%. This year, Apple's iOS only comprised 32.5% of the market share while Android tablets' market share increased at 62.6%