Tech giant Apple will try to put the problems clouding the recently launched iPhone 5 behind with the upcoming release of iPad Mini on October 17.

Although Apple swore before that it will not release a 7-inch tablet, the move is set to be inspired by the success of Samsung Galaxy Note and Kindle Fire tablets as well as the uneventful release of the iPhone.

Moreover, Apple shares are back to where they were before the iPhone 5 release, dropping 10 percent since the iPhone 5 went on sale on Sept. 21, with an intraday high of $707.07, reported Yahoo Finance today. The site added, "That's 4 percent below its 50-day moving average of $658."

If Apple's declining share of the tablet market is any indication, the move could result risky for the Cupertino company now led by CEO Tim Cook. According to market research firm iSuppli, Apple's share of the worldwide tablet market was 69.6% in the second quarter, down from nearly 84% in 2010.

Apple faced criticisms on the release of iPhone 5 and iOS 6, which dropped Google products Google Maps and YouTube. iPhone users complained about the various glitches and inaccuracies of the iOS Maps. The controversies drove Cook to publicly apologize and recommend iPhone users to download Google Maps from the web. Moreover, iPhone 5 users are currently suffering from purple glare on the smartphone's camera.

The release of iPad Mini is probably a way for Apple to gain good publicity. However, this could also end up in a risky result.

The iPad Mini is reported to be the new little iPad will feature a 7.85-inch IGZO display with 330 pixels/inch, 1024 x 768 resolution. It will be more affordable. It is also assumed that the new tablet will feature Apple's upcoming operating system, iO6.

Putting iOS 6 in the mini tablet will include a new, Google-free Maps app, and Passbook, and promises better Facebook integration, better maps, and better video conferences that use cellular data, according to Entrepreneur.com. It is also said to have a smaller dock connector and thinner bezel. It may also feature a music service similar to Pandora radio, WiFi, and Retina Display.

Rumors claimed that iPad Mini will cost around US$299, which is more expensive than its rivals Google Nexus 7 and Kindle Fire HD that starts at US$199.

Below is a video of the alleged mock-up of iPad Mini