There’s no shortage of iPad Mini rumors on the web. If the rumors are correct, and with Apple’s rumored event on October 17th, it’s expected that amongst other things, they will announce the heavily anticipated iPad Mini.

One of the most longstanding sources on Apple (AAPL), the Wall Street Journal recently reported that Apple suppliers have started mass production of a new smaller tablet, with a 7.85″ screen. The WSJ has seldom been wrong in the Apple reporting over the last few years and have become one of the most trusted sources on the web.

Zagg, creators of the famous InvisibleShield, have already listed a screen protector available for the iPad Mini, and listed it as coming soon. What’s most interesting in this situation is that Zagg is a US company not Chinese, where many of these case and screen protector “leaks” seem to originate.

A photograph posted on Twitter by @SonnyDickson earlier this week shows an aluminum backed iPad Mini on top of an iPad, showing the size differential and complete with the new lighting dock connector.

While each of these on their own is just conjecture, I think that based on these rumors, the launch of the new iPad Mini is imminent.