ipadminiWith the holiday shopping season fast approaching, the Apple rumor mill is kicking into high gear, with a new report saying that the next iteration of the iPad will be thinner than its predecessor.

That’s hardly a surprise, but the reason is interesting: The Wall Street Journal report quotes unnamed sources saying that the next version of Apple’s full-sized tablet will use the same touchscreen technology that allowed the iPad mini to be thinner.

The tech in question relates to the device’s “touch panel,” a layer of the screen that contains the touch sensors used to detect a user’s fingers are on the. Apple has used a glass touch panel in previous versions of the full-sized iPad, but moved to a thin film touch panel for the iPad mini. Now, according to the WSJ, the company will be using the same tech across its different tablet models, as the film-based technology has improved.

According to an earlier report by AllThingsD, Apple is rumored to announce the new iPhone on September 10. No word yet on when the next iPad will be making an appearance in the public eye.

Previously on GeekWire: Report: Apple plans to announce new iPhone September 10

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