Among the handful of granted patents for Apple (News - Alert) Inc. (uncovered by Patently Apple) published in December by the U.S. Patent Office and Trademark Office (USPTO) are the new connectors for Micro SIM cards, intended for Apple’s next-generation iPad and iPhone (News - Alert) series.

The latest news revealed by many online sources suggests Apple will soon come out with its iPhone 5S – only to be a modest update with improved internal specs from the iPhone 5, with a launch date no earlier than mid-2013. And in an AppleInsider report, there is news about a fifth-generation tablet.

The iPad 5 will have a design that will closely resemble the iPad mini: It will be a thinner and lighter version of the 9.7-inch full-size tablet with a 2048x1536 pixel Retina display, featuring the A6X chip, which was already installed on the fourth-generation iPad.

Apple has decided to launch its latest iPad by mid-2013, if not have it released as early as March.

Apart from the iPhone 5S and iPad 5, to be available in 2013, there are also rumors of Apple working on its second-generation iPad mini; it is reportedly nearing production and could also be presented in 2013 as well.

Unlike its predecessor, this one is said to include an enhanced resolution, and is expected to feature the Retina display that makes everything look much more crisp and lifelike.

Consumers are likely to see these entire Apple mobile products, the next iPad, iPhone and mini tablet, drive strong competition in both the smartphone and tablet market in 2013. In fact, International Data Corporation predicts mobile computing devices will see positive growth (about 20 percent) in 2013; it projected they will make up “57 percent” of the IT industry's overall growth.

Apple expects that sales for its newly announced iOS mobile device in 2013 will be as high (or greater) in the first few days upon its release as what was observed for the iPad mini and fourth-generation iPad; they attracted millions of buyers worldwide who rushed out to pick up their very own.

For the latest rumors and news on everything Apple, especially about the launch dates for their upcoming iOS devices, visit AppleInsider.com.

Want to learn more about the latest in communications and technology? Then be sure to attend ITEXPO Miami 2013, Jan 29- Feb. 1 in Miami, Florida. Stay in touch with everything happening at ITEXPO (News - Alert). Follow us on Twitter.