On finite p-groups whose automorphisms are all central

An automorphism α of a group G is said to be central if α commutes with every inner automorphism of G. We construct a family of non-special finite p-groups having abelian automorphism groups. These groups provide counterexamples to a conjecture of A. Mahalanobis [Israel J. Math. 165 (2008), 161–187]. We also construct a family of finite p-groups having non-abelian automorphism groups and all automorphisms central. This solves a problem of I. Malinowska [Advances in Group Theory, Aracne Editrice, Rome, 2002, pp. 111–127].