With curiosity building around Apple's special event Wednesday, Oct. 16, here's a summary of what to expect from the tech giant.
Apple, the renowned smartphone and tablet manufacturer, has scheduled a special event on Thursday, Oct. 16, with little details revealed about the new announcements. But that has not stopped industry specialists and watchers from predicting what to expect. Here is all we know about the upcoming event and the possible announcements that will be made at the keynote.
Based on this series of leaks and reports, the Cupertino tech titan is expected to unveil the refreshed iPad Air 2 and iPad mini 3. The latest pictures leaked on Apple's iTunes Store confirm the two devices and give away a few details as well.
New iPads
According to 9to5Mac, the screenshots of the two new tablets show a near-identical design and Touch ID sensors in the Home button of both the tablets. The images also confirm the new tablets will be called "iPad Air 2," and "iPad mini 3," continuing the numbering scheme for its iPad lineup, the report added. The webpage is no longer accessible and was removed within an hour after it went live. Other details shown in the leaked screenshots include a gold variant, powerful A8X chip, improved camera with new Burst Mode feature, which was first introduced in iPhone 5S.
Mac Updates
Besides the coveted iPads, the tech giant is expected to give away more details about its upcoming Mac operating system. Apple has promised to release the new software to the public this fall, and Thursday's event makes it a good place to share more specifics.
Previous reports have outlined the possible changes in Yosemite OS such as a revamped UI, ability to make calls from the Mac by simply placing an iPhone nearby, and a universal search tool.
In addition to the new Mac update, Apple is expected to follow the tradition of launching new iMac computers with possible Retina displays, but nothing is concrete yet.
Apple Pay in iOS 8.1
Apple has already talked about its new payment system, Apple Pay, when it launched the new iPhones last month. But the company held off the feature for a later launch. With a special event in place, Apple will likely use this opportunity to share more details on Apple Pay.
Apple will also likely share the iOS 8.1 update details. The first major update to the iOS 8 operating system is expected to bring various features including the ability to send and receive iPhone texts from Macs. The integration of Apple Pay is important for the company, as it aims to change the way people currently use credit cards.
In the end, consumers will have a lot to take away from Apple's special event. The presentation can be live streamed from Apple's website to see new announcements as they happen.
