Apple sent out press invites to selected outlets yesterday. The simple messages read “Let us loop you in,” providing little information on what it has in store aside from the obvious implications of updated things it wants people to know about.
It will be hosting the event at its Cupertino headquarters at 10 a.m. local time on March 21. A livestream will be provided online to let anyone watch the proceedings regardless of their location.
Apple has been rumoured to be planning an event this month for some time. It is widely expected to launch several new devices with immediate availability, separating itself from its usual model of announcement, delay, pre-orders and then shipment.
The new additions will span all of Apple’s major mobile product lines. The most exciting announcement for many will likely be the new long-rumoured 4-inch “iPhone SE,” an alternative to the pricier and larger iPhone 6s series. This will be the device that takes the iPhone back towards it’s small-screened roots, something fans are asking for according to a key analyst.
The device is thought to be a scaled-down iPhone 5 with updated features and improved performance. It will be powered by Apple’s A9 processor and include an 8-megapixel camera, metal body and Apple Pay support.
The company is also planning a new premium iPad to join the recently-inaugurated “iPad Pro” brand. What was originally built as the iPad Air 3 will become a smaller iPad Pro, including a 9.7-inch display and several of the iPad Pro’s features. These include the Smart Keyboard and Smart Connector accessories and Apple’s new high-performance A9X processor.
The final major hardware announcement will be a refreshed Apple Watch. The Apple Watch 2 has been delayed until the fall, for a launch to coincide with the iPhone 7, so Apple will instead release a mid-life revamp for the original. The updated edition will include a new FaceTime camera, band options and software improvements but “not much else,” according to a recent report outlining Apple’s plans for its Watch family.
This is the first time Apple has hosted a spring devices event. It is stepping out of schedule to unveil products that don’t quite fit in with its regular line-up. There will still be an iPhone launch this September, giving the iPhone 7 and 7 Plus a dedicated launch alongside the Apple Watch 2.
As always, Apple has yet to confirm any of the widespread media reports on its plans and announcements may be subject to change even over the next week. The company will finally reveal whether the rumours are correct on March 21, a day that Apple fans can add to their calendar and eagerly await.
