IPad sales are critical for Apple to diminish its reliance on the iPhone.Lai Seng Sin/The Associated Press
Apple Inc. will unveil new iPads at an event on Oct. 16, a person familiar with the matter said, as the company seeks to kick-start slowing sales of its tablet computers.
Apple will unveil a new version of its 9.7-inch (24.6 centimeter) iPad and the smaller iPad mini, said the person, who asked not to be identified because an official announcement hasn't been made. Recode reported earlier that the event also will include new iMac computers.
IPad sales are critical for Apple to diminish its reliance on the iPhone, which now makes up about half its revenue and the bulk of its profits. The company is facing slowing sales for iPads as the tablet market matures, with lower-cost models gaining popularity and people upgrading less frequently than smartphones. IPad sales, which generated $32-billion in revenue for Apple in its last fiscal year, have declined for two consecutive quarters.
Trudy Muller, a spokeswoman for Apple, declined to comment.
Apple is adding a gold-color option for its full-size iPads, people familiar with the plans said this week. Apple hasn't introduced a new iPad since last October, and consumers have instead been shifting to iPhones with larger screens, such as Apple's new iPhone 6 Plus, introduced last month, which has a 5.5-inch screen.
Apple also is developing a bigger iPad, with a 12.9-inch screen to be introduced next year, people familiar with the plans have said.