Tech companies roll out new gadgets

NEW YORK — Think of it as the opening act at a concert: Nokia, Motorola and Amazon are unveiling new mobile devices this week before attention turns to a new iPhone and possibly a smaller iPad from Apple.

Makers of consumer electronics are refreshing their products for the holiday shopping season. Apple's rivals are hoping that a head start on the buzz will translate into stronger sales. Nokia and Microsoft, in particular, are trying to generate interest in a new Windows operating system out next month.

Here's a look at what to expect:

NEW iPHONE: Apple Inc. has been coming out with a new iPhone each year, and that's likely to continue. The new model is expected to work with fourth-generation, or 4G, cellular networks that phone companies have been building. A bigger iPhone screen is also possible. Apple said Tuesday that it will host an event in San Francisco next Wednesday. The topic wasn't disclosed, but the email invitation contains a shadow in the shape of a “5” — a sign that the iPhone 5 is coming.

Apple CEO Tim Cook walks on stage during the Apple Developers Conference in June in San Francisco. Makers of consumer electronics are refreshing their products for the holiday shopping season.

SMALLER iPAD: Many companies have tried to come out with iPad alternatives, but the ones that have had moderate success have tended to be those with smaller, 7-inch screens and lower price tags. There's a belief that Apple will come out with mini iPad this fall to compete.

REKINDLING THE FIRE: Amazon.com Inc.'s 7-inch Kindle Fire is one of the smaller tablets with decent sales. Last week, Amazon said it has sold out of the Kindle Fire, a sign that it had retooled its production lines for a successor. Amazon has a major event planned Thursday in Santa Monica. Amazon hasn't said anything about what it will say, but it's expected to announce a new Kindle Fire and possibly other e-readers, too. Barnes and Noble Inc., which makes the 7-inch Nook Tablet, may have an update this fall as well.

MOTOROLA'S RETURN: Motorola Mobility has scheduled an event today in New York. It will be the first Motorola product announcement since Google bought the company for $12.4 billion in May. Google, meanwhile, continues to sell a 7-inch Android tablet, the Nexus 7, made in partnership with AsusTek Computer Inc.

CALLING ON WINDOWS: Microsoft Corp. will release a new version of the Windows operating system on Oct. 26, one that's designed to work on both traditional computers and tablet devices. A new version of the Windows Phone system is coming out, too. Nokia and Microsoft have jointly scheduled an announcement today in New York. It's likely on new Windows phones under Nokia's Lumia brand.

SURFACE: Microsoft plans its own tablet computer, too. The Surface tablet will come in two versions, both with 10.6-inch screens, slightly larger than the iPad's. The Surface will go on sale on Oct. 26.

NEW BLACKBERRYS: In June, Research In Motion Ltd. pushed the release of BlackBerry 10 devices into early next year, saying it wasn't ready.