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Leaked photos of alleged dock connector point to iPad refresh

While most expect Apple to release an iPad Mini this week, photos surface of a purported iPad 4 Lightning dock connector.

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New Lightning dock connector for iPad 4? Boy Genius Report

Newly leaked photos seem to support reports that in addition to the much-rumored iPad Mini, Apple will be unveiling a new iPad 4 at its media event on Tuesday.

The photos show what is purportedly the Lightning dock connector for an iPad 4, comparing it with the dock for the iPad Mini, according to Boy Genius Report, which published the images. The new dock suggests a new-generation iPad is being redesigned to accommodate a wide range of new components.

While much of the public's attention has been focused on Apple potentially unveiling a 7.85-inch tablet, the company is also rumored to be debuting a refreshed 9.7-inch Retina iPad on Tuesday. The new iPad is expected to get a Lightning connector like the iPhone 5 and will retain the same price points as its predecessor, according to a 9to5Mac report on Friday.

The updated 9.7-inch Retina iPad could address issues with the first-generation Retina product. That includes making it lighter and improving the LED backlight apparatus, according to a previous CNET report, based on comments from Richard Shim, a DisplaySearch analyst.

"We are seeing [Apple] work with panel makers to come out with a display that enables a thinner overall [product] with longer battery life," Shim told CNET in September.

Apple is expected to announce the iPad Mini and other products at a special event Tuesday, which CNET will be live-blogging.

Catch CNET's live coverage of Apple's October 23 event here. We'll be starting at 9 a.m. PT / 12 p.m. ET.