Prior to their release date, the upcoming iPad Mini 2, expected to sport Retina display this year, and the iPad 5 are widely rumoured to have undergone major design and software revisions.

For Apple CEO Tim Cook, however, the spotlight should be on the tighter integration recently achieved between Apple hardwares and softwares, the benefits of which are equally applicable to the tech giant's products across the board.

With Jony Ive, Apple's chief designer, presiding over the company's core products development, the end-results are "absolutely incredible," Mr Cook told AllThingsD this week.

In the software department for instance, the prowess of popular OS X softwares such as iLife and iWork will be extended to the iOS 7, which obviously are best experienced through the 9.7-inch iPad 5 and the 7.9-inch iPad Mini 2.

Likewise, key iOS features like messaging and notification will make their way to Mac desktops and notebooks, which are governed by OS X.

The main point is, with Mr Ive at the helm, "it has been an incredibly great change," Mr Cook said, partly addressing the recent Apple transition that saw the departure of long-time executive Scott Forstall and the further widening of Mr Ive's role in Apple's overall product development.

Reports have been alluding to the Ive signature in Apple's ongoing efforts to present a better operating system both for its traditional computing products and mobile devices.

The iOS 7, for instance, will be a mobile platform that is simpler and flatter both in functions and looks while the OS X will seamlessly accommodate most of the popular iPad apps and features.

This achievement proves that Apple spends "more time finding the magic at the intersections," the Apple chief stressed.

And Mr Ive's original passion, hardware design, is not compromised at all, testament to that is the leaked information that strongly suggests the general iPad template is constantly evolving under his watch.

Analysts believe that Apple is releasing the big-screen iPad with a thinner, lighter and slimmer body - and Mr Ive's imprints are written all over the radically redesigned tablet.

In the same vein, the iPad Mini 2 is getting the same Ive treatment while earning the distinction of inspiring the new iPad 5 design. Apart from showing off a more impressive screen display, thanks to Retina, the small tablet is thought to sport less bezel around its 7.9-inch screen.

The two iOS 7 slates are poised to hit the global markets between September and October this year, analysts said.