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‘It’s been way too long’: Apple sends out invites for Thursday, October 16th iPad & Mac event

Screenshot 2014-10-08 12.01.58

It’s happening: Apple has just announced a keynote address for Thursday, October 16th to take place at the Town Hall auditorium on its Infinite Loop Campus in Cupertino, California. Invitations to select members of the media and special guests indicate that the event will, as always, begin at 10 AM Pacific time/1 PM Eastern Time. News of the October 16th date broke last week. We’ll be providing full, live coverage on 9to5Mac.com of the event’s proceedings. Here’s everything we’re expecting Apple to discuss at the event:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BsGWr0ZFFVU&feature=youtu.be

As the second Apple event this fall, the Cupertino-company will likely use the smaller, home court stage to debut updates to its iPad and Mac lines. We’re expecting new versions of the iPad Air and the iPad mini. The new Air will be slightly thinner, but come with a more efficient (and slightly snappier) A8 processor, new M8 chip from the iPhone 6, Touch ID, enhanced camera features, an improved screen design, and, of course, a gold color option. It’s likely that the new Mini will pick up some (if not all) of the Air’s new features. Hopefully at least the gold.

On the Mac side, Apple has a slew of new hardware and software updates to discuss. As we reported in July, Apple has been racing to finish up the redesigned OS X Yosemite alongside new laptops and desktops with higher-resolution screens. It’s likely that Yosemite will be released for free on the Mac App Store on the day of the event, as this will follow patterns of previous years. In terms of hardware, sources say that Apple is preparing both a new iMac and a 12-inch MacBook with Retina displays. The latest indicators point to, at least, the MacBook being short on supply, so perhaps the MacBook discussion will be saved for a later date. Another Mac potentially to be updated next week: the Mac mini.

Given that Apple always promotes hardware, software, and services as a trio, there will also likely be plenty of talk at the event of new applications and various services. Apple Pay is launching on the iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus this month with iOS 8.1, so it seems fitting for Apple to disclose final details and launch information on that front during the event. Other odds and ends include the possibility of a new split-screen multitasking mode for the new iPads, updated iWork and iLife apps for OS X Yosemite, and that redesigned iTunes 12 app for the Mac. Maybe, if we’re lucky, we’ll also get some new details on the 2015 Apple Watch and new Mac Photos app launches.

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Comments

  1. PMZanetti - 9 years ago

    ZOMG MAC MINI!?!?!

    It HAS been way too long.

    Please!

    • FAME - 9 years ago

      Mac mini discontinued, iAnywhere being revealed.

      • marsontherocks - 9 years ago

        More like a super secret decade-long development on he “iRobot”…(!) Zomg! Would be awesome though :D

  2. willo (@mozfart) - 9 years ago

    I´ll buy iMac Retina and 12″ retina macbook air in an instant. :-)

  3. Florian Kurzmaier - 9 years ago

    Reblogged this on Adams Apfel and commented:
    Tatsächlich der 16. Oktober. Neue iPads? Gebongt und mit Touch-ID versehen. Nur Macs? Tippe auf einen irgendwie gearteten Mac mini und ein Macbook Air Retina. Vllt. überrascht uns Cupertino ja auch mit was Fernseh-mässigem :)

  4. Overlord - 9 years ago

    iPhone 6.1 Plus… it will not bend!

    • thisisasticup - 9 years ago

      give it a rest.

      • broblk - 9 years ago

        truth hurts hey

    • I’m sure the plastic Samsungs hold up much better to that kind of applied pressure.

      • robertvarga79 - 9 years ago

        They do not bend!! They break into pieces off :-D

      • thejuanald - 9 years ago

        Actually, from all the tests conducted, yes they do hold up much, much better.

        Why do people always hate on plastic? It’s such an amazing material that revolutionized everything. You’d better hope you never need heart surgery, they might put some of that scary, low end plastic trash in your ventricular assist device. Need a knee replacement? You’d better not! That shitty plastic would totally make your knee look cheap.

    • robertvarga79 - 9 years ago

      You certainly had a difficult childhood…

    • Fallenjt JT - 9 years ago

      The joke is old. Move on, kid.

  5. Jeffrey Feuerstein - 9 years ago

    Maybe a new Apple TV! ‘I’ts been way too long’ since the Apple TV 3 was released for sure! And since iOS 8.1 beta 2 code says HomeKit got enbled on the Apple TV, it wouldn’t be a surprise if they would come with a new Apple TV!

    • iSRS - 9 years ago

      My thought exactly

    • Fallenjt JT - 9 years ago

      If Apple TV is the main product of this event, Apple execs probably are smoking something. It’s all about Mac with retina display…Apple TV, iPad refresh and maybe some other small things may be added.

      • PMZanetti - 9 years ago

        Its all about the iPad.
        Followed by Yosemite.
        Followed by Retina iMac.

        A spec bumped iPad is a bigger deal than a Retina iMac, financially.

        (even though I’m much more looking forward to the new mac than the new pad).

    • its been way to long since to have more ram. Ipad air 2 to have 2 gigs of ram.

      • Majid_UoG (@Majid_UoG) - 9 years ago

        Its not samsung. Instead of giving a crappy inefficient of and trying to make up for it with more ram. Apple focuses on the OS’s efficiency. Adding and 1 extra gig or more won’t make any difference.

        Secondly, Apple and their fans don’t talk in specs, specs is a “by the way” stuff.
        If its fast; its fast. Period.

  6. Daniel Perván - 9 years ago

    The return of the rainbow iMacs!

  7. Mani Gutau - 9 years ago

    Retina Thunderbolt Display, it’s been way too long.

    • ikir - 9 years ago

      Year Thunderbolt Display

    • marsontherocks - 9 years ago

      Yes, with a possible introduction to Apple TV….maybe as an addition to the Retina Cinema Displays? Built-in, with various technologies built in like the Xbox Kinetic, Apple TV/Media centre/Console….They pumped the expectations up so much earlier in the year by confidently telling everybody that this would be the biggest year of product launches/events in Apples entire history, that something awesome has to come :p

  8. Taste_of_Apple - 9 years ago

    Super pumped for the 16th!

  9. sardonick - 9 years ago

    True, it has been way too long, maybe they’re finally bringing back “It just works” instead of the recent bollocks.

  10. paul55br - 9 years ago

    This is the one!

  11. taoprophet420 - 9 years ago

    Retina iMac named Macintosh? Would be a big 30th anniversary surprise.

    It might be a heavily focused Mac event highlighting Mavericks, retina iMac, new MacBook Airs and probably some new accercories. The biggest question I see is if any of the Mac products will be released this year. This close to an event we usually hear about supply constraints on models of Macs that are being replaced.

    I don’t see Apple Pay or the updated iPad Air filling a huge allotment of time at the event. I don’t think an updated iPad mini will be released at the event and if it is it will just be a spec bump until a more major revamp in in Early spring.

    • aeronperyton - 9 years ago

      I’ve been waiting for about nine years for Apple to just call it Mac. It is the only computer with i in the name, and I argue that it’s no longer necessary.

      • Well seeing as the iMac is the device that started the ‘i’ craze, I think the naming convention sort of sticks around as a sort of symbolic, nostalgic gesture.

    • marsontherocks - 9 years ago

      That would be Yosemite 😉

    • PMZanetti - 9 years ago

      Its called an iMac. And there are no supply constraints because a Retina iMac wouldn’t replace anything in the lineup….merely add (a premium) on top of it.

      • taoprophet420 - 9 years ago

        Apple would decrease stocks of the current 27″ iMac to ready for the new model. Hopefully Apple phases the current model completely out except for education.

        I can’t believe the non retina MacBook Pro is still hanging around.

  12. timcrook - 9 years ago

    You guys are in for a treat! Lot’s of new products to discuss with one being: I’ll give you a hint (small form factor computer). Everything else you will have to wait for the keynote!

  13. I don’t think Apple would admit that anything forthcoming was too long overdue. It seems more likely that “It’s been too long” is a double entendre. So what might they be shortening? Maybe the margins on the iPad’s screen image, so the length of the iPad could be reduced (i.e., less long) without affecting its screen size? Or something similar?

      • rettun1 - 9 years ago

        Fair point, but that was a little different. In that instance, it was announced that it would come in white at the launch of the phone. But due to issues that made light come in through the back panel and mess with pictures taken with it, they had to delay the release of the white model. It took MONTHS to figure it out

    • PMZanetti - 9 years ago

      Double meaning aside….its a sarcastic reference to the fact that just a month prior they held a huge event and unveiled a slew of new products. “Yeah, its been too long since that huge event we had LAST month….so we’ve got another one for ya”

  14. I really hope there is some news on the Apple Watch as well. I’m so excited for this product. I love Apple, and I love watches a lot (I collect them). So a product I care for made by a company I greatly admire? That’s just great.

    • zato - 9 years ago

      Every new product category needs a killer app. The Apple Watch has the killer app* of killer apps, and I’m sure we’ll hear more about it at this event.
      *ApplePay

  15. paulywalnuts23 - 9 years ago

    I am putting money on Thunderbolt displays… I saw my local Best Buy dumping their units so I have a feeling it is time. Plus they haven’t been refreshed since Sept. 2011 which is the longest current Mac Product that hasn’t been refreshed…

    • WaveMedia (@WaveMedia) - 9 years ago

      Before the 24″ model in 2008 the Cinema Displays were last updated in 2004. It’s not unheard of for them to go a good while between refreshing the things.

  16. Nico Taddeo - 9 years ago

    It’s been way too long since last iPods.
    It’s been way too long since last Mac Mini.
    It’s been way too long since last Apple TV.
    It’s been way too long since last Apple Thunderbolt Display.

    Etc. :)

  17. Drew (@gettysburg11s) - 9 years ago

    Definitely new Macs. I am not sure iPads though. I am guessing that they will release new Macs, final version of Yosemite, iTunes 12, and other updated Mac apps.

  18. emucillo - 9 years ago

    vou esperar para trocar de iPad, mas queria um novo Mac lançado junto :-)

  19. trinities - 9 years ago

    iPod 6´s !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! iPod sixes! It´s been waay too loong.

  20. “the largest pipeline in 25 years” comes to an end? there better be “one more thing”

    • marsontherocks - 9 years ago

      And finally…there is a “one note thing”… (In Tim Cook voice) “Introducing the iRobot”….(huge applause) “Available in late 2025″… /s

  21. See how the logo fades from blue to green? What else fades from blue to green? Ideas you pull out of thin air and turn into money, thats what. It’s all spelled out right there, they’re going to introduce something and make a ton of money on it. Such clever.

  22. Kay Krause (@wesk89) - 9 years ago

    I presume we’ll see new iPod touches with up to 128GB storage, maybe in 4,7-inch, as well as 5,5-inch? The 5,5-inch iPhone is great to play games on, feels like a real handheld gaming device

    New iPod nano or … maybe ditching them in spring in favor of the Apple Watch?

    New iPads are a no-brainer.

    New Macs with the rumored 5K display, as well as new Thunderbolt displays.

    New Mac mini, designed like the Mac pro or something else great and new that has not been seen before.

    Anyway, I am pumped for next week. Could get exciting. :)

    • marsontherocks - 9 years ago

      I believe that the iPod nano might get discontinued as you imply by the Apple Watch. The idea of a Mac Pro mini/midi is awesome. I would LOVE a Mac Pro for consumers, not pros. Put some gaming graphics in there along with an i7 at a reasonable price…Ca-Ching! I know the iMac is for that market, but let’s be honest, we don’t need a new monitor as often as we need other hardware, and there is no reason a consumer Mac Pro, with less pro features and more consumer features, wouldn’t sell in loads. You hear me Tim?
      Everything else I’m all “yay” for! 😉

      • igixer - 9 years ago

        I am so interested in this too! I would sell my 27″ iMac and buy a MacBook air and a new mac mini pro system for sure!

      • Steve Lawrence - 9 years ago

        How can the Watch replace the iPod nano? It had no headphone port…

      • figshta - 9 years ago

        I have a late 2012 iMac. The hardware is fine for me, but I would consider getting a Retina iMac. In other words, I want a monitor upgrade! Retina Tunderbolt Display may due as an option, if available, for now…

      • cjt3007 - 9 years ago

        Mac Pro midi? I’m not sure I understand this concept…

  23. Toby! (@TrashGoblin) - 9 years ago

    Broadwell Mac mini or I riot.

  24. joelwrose (@joelwrose) - 9 years ago

    OK- take this with a grain of salt, but their “It’s been way too long.” image appears to be EXACTLY the size of a widescreen TV/Monitor. Maybe Apple TV related or (dare I say it) Apple Television set related?

    • figshta - 9 years ago

      I think you got it, except I think it about the Retina iMac. The graphic is how a 5K resolution image appears on my current iMac…

  25. chrisl84 - 9 years ago

    “way to long”…..even shorter Lightning cables!!

  26. Carmine T. Guida - 9 years ago

    What if the rainbow colors refer to Apple’s old days, and they are bringing back Woz?

  27. Chris Sanders - 9 years ago

    It’s been way too long since we’ve given a real update to the macs and iPads sans the minor refreshes.

  28. lexxkoto - 9 years ago

    I think “way too long” refers to iPad battery life.

    Maybe they’ll lower it from 10 hours to 2 hours, so iPads will be more like Android tablets.

  29. James Hofrichter - 9 years ago

    iPod classic update??? It isn’t on the site anymore

  30. Mac Books in Space Grey, Gold and (RED). :P That would be rad…

  31. waseefakhtar - 9 years ago

    Reblogged this on navigation stack.

  32. Computer_Whiz123 - 9 years ago

    When will they release external testing for testFlight?

  33. Lars Pallesen - 9 years ago

    The hover board! Finally!

  34. Adam Shield - 9 years ago

    Look at it, it’s a knife about to cut a cable. It’s been way too long since we’ve changed the way we watch TV. Tim Cook said “watching TV is like you stepped back in time.”