The invitations have gone out to the media! Let the countdown begin.

According to AllThingsD, our reliable, go-to source for all things Apple, Apple has sent invitations out for their highly touted iPad and more event on October 22nd in the Yerba Buena Center For The Arts.

Here is the scoop from AllThingsD:

“Apple this morning distributed invitations to a special event at which it’s expected to unveil the next iterations of the iPad and iPad mini. And it’s to be held on October 22, just as AllThingsD said it would. Location: the Yerba Buena Center for the Arts, one of Apple’s preferred location for big announcements like this.

“We still have a lot to cover,” reads the text of the invite. And indeed, Apple does. As I noted last week, the focal point of Apple’s gathering next week will be the latest updates to the company’s iPad line, but the new Mac Pro and OS X Mavericks will likely get some stage time as well.

The next version of the iPad, Apple’s fifth, is expected to feature a thinner, lighter design akin to the iPad mini’s, and an improved camera. It will run Apple’s new 64-bit A7 chip, source say. The second-generation iPad mini will be upgraded with a retina display and also likely see the A7 incorporated into its innards”.

According to the rumors – and there have been enough to go around the world multiple times – you can expect an iPad Mini Retina Display and an iPad 5 with Touch Technology, similar to the newly released iPhone 5S.

And, it looks pretty certain that the newly anointed colours similar to the iPhone 5S will make their appearance on the new iPad as well.

Add to this some more announcements about Apple’s MacBook Pro and iMacs and we’ve got ourselves a Tech Fest here.

Honestly, though? I wish they would update their iLife Apps for the iPad. They are beyond abysmal. Check out this glitch in the iMovie App and multiply it by, oh, let’s see, 100. Ya, that should do it!

And, for the love of whatever, please add a continuous music play option in iBooks Author. What’s the point of releasing new iPads and Macs when the same problems exist from release to release?

Are you excited about the pending Apple event next week or do you want some problem-solving to be on the table at this event instead?