Apple's online stores go down worldwide amid Retina iPad mini launch rumors

Following the discovery of a suspect internal Apple document that purported to show a Nov. 12 launch date for the iPad mini with Retina display, the company's online storefronts have gone down for maintenance, reports Apple Insider.

While it is unknown if the Online Apple Store downtime is related to the note distributed through Apple's GSX website, it appears that maintenance is occurring simultaneously worldwide, fueling speculation of an imminent Retina iPad mini launch.

On Monday, Apple sent out a message to service techs and resellers via its Global Exchange Service website, advising them that the Retina mini would launch in eight countries on Nov. 12.

At the time, the service document was thought to be posted in error, as seven of the eight countries mentioned were already well into the supposed launch day, without any sign of the device hitting store shelves. Before the Online Apple Stor