The tablet POS market may be receiving some big news in a couple of weeks. In October, Apple CEO Tim Cook is expected to once again take the stage and introduce the latest version of a popular mobile device. While his September keynote was all about the iPhone and the introduction of the Apple Watch, next month Cook's announcement should center around the iPad.

According to numerous sources, Apple will unveil the latest version of the iPad Air and iPad Mini and could even add a third member to the tablet family. The iPad Pro has circulated the rumor mill for much of the past year and the popularity of the Air and Mini have led many to believe they will be receiving upgrades. 

Will we get a Retina Display iPad Mini, a second generation iPad Air and an all-new iPad Pro, rumored to be a larger, more intuitive version of the popular tablet? As is always the case with Apple, time will tell. However, the company has not released any update to its iPad line this year, so an announcement is on its way. 

As for the iPad's new features, one can only assume that Apple Pay will play some role in the new machines. The new payments feature is just beginning the rollout process on the iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus, but given Apple's decision to include the feature on next year's Apple Watch, it seems as if the tech giant wants to integrate payments into its entire mobile ecosystem. This means it's only a matter of time before payments become a major component of the iPad.

But in what capacity will this happen? That remains to be seen. Regardless of the new features, any under-the-hood upgrades will only help tablet POS users. A more powerful iPad may be able to process payments at greater speeds, and Apple's commitment to strengthening the security of its devices means users will likely only improve merchants' ability to protect customer data on their system.

Ultimately, it's important for organizations using iPads as part of a tablet POS system to be cognizant of any changes pertaining to the device. By keeping up with the latest news, following the iPad announcement next month and working with a payment solutions provider, merchants can make sure they capitalize on the features of their new iPads.