Speculations have been rife whether Apple's new iPad mini tablet sported stereo speakers, which would be a first for any iOS device. Now, per reports, Apple has confirmed that the tablet indeed comes with stereo speakers.

Phil Schiller, Apple's SVP of Marketing did not mention the stereo speakers at the event and Apple's Web site only lists "built-in speaker." However, according to a 9to5Mac report, a reader e-mailed Phil Schiller to clarify, and Schiller responded "It is stereo." 

"A curious 9to5 reader wanted to find out what speaker Apple is actually including in the device and was able to get an email response direct from Phil Schiller," noted the a 9to5Mac report.

When Apple launched the iPad mini on Oct. 23, it was expected that the tablet would be carrying the mono format that is associated with earlier Apple products.  All iPad's have featured a single off-center speaker grill until now. However, post the unveiling reviews started emerging that the iPad mini included speakers.

 "All of the standard iPad button and switch placement is intact here, save for the move of the speaker grille to the bottom of the device (it's been around back for iPads previous to this version), along with the new Lightning port. And that's a good-sounding set of stereo speakers, by the way," Joshua Topolsky of The Verge had noted. Later Topolsky Tweeted "People of Earth: Apple confirms iPad mini has STEREO SPEAKERS. As I note in my review."

Recently, Amazon put up a comparison chart between the Kindle Fire HD and the iPad mini. The comparison noted that the Apple tablet had a mono speaker set-up versus the Amazon offering's dual stereos. However, Amazon has removed the comparison since.

Even prior to the iPad mini's launch when leaks of the device's case designs surfaced on the Internet, showing off two sets of small holes that were on either side of the Lightning port, it was conjectured that the tablet may include stereo speakers.

Now, with Apple confirming that the iPad mini has stereo speakers, the speculations can finally be put to rest.