Apple no doubt sees the iPad Mini as an opportunity to attract more consumers to a broader range of tablets and further enjoy the benefits of its ecosystem.

FORBES: Take A Lesson from Apple: A Strategy to Keep Customers in Your Ecosystem

Now, that could be and likely is temporary, since iPhone sales were actually constrained by supply issues and Apple no doubt has some smartphone feature tricks up its sleeve for the coming year.

FORBES: Apple's Uh-Oh Moment: The Great Smartphone Boom Is About To End

Apple CEO Tim Cook put to rest today any doubt that Apple has had its engineers working round the clock to fix the bugs in the new Maps app in its iOS 6 mobile operating system.

FORBES: Apple's Apology Over Maps Earns Praise, Criticism and 'What Would Steve Jobs Do' Second Guessing