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Apple's iPad, Mac, OS X Yosemite event: Here's what to expect

Topic: Hardware

Apple's iPad, Mac, OS X Yosemite event: Here's what to expect

Summary: This is likely to be Apple's last big product push before the holidays, and we expect to see new iPads, new Macs, and maybe even new iPods. Also, we should get more information, along with a release date, for OS X 10.10 'Yosemite.'

Adrian Kingsley-Hughes
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TOPICS: Hardware, Apple, iOS, iPad, Operating Systems
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Apple October 16 event
(Image: Apple)

It's barely been a month since Apple's last event, but the company is getting ready to unveil more products.

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The event, which is being held at the Town Hall auditorium on its Cupertino headquarters campus, represents the company's last big product push before the holidays.

But what can we expect from this event? While Apple is – as usual – tight-lipped about what's coming, we can make some educated guesses.

The event kicks off on October 16 at 10 am PDT, 1 pm EDT, or 6 pm London time. For information on how to watch this event, click here.

New iPad Air

The iPad Air is ready for its yearly refresh, and while we expect the new tablet to look pretty much like the old tablet, we should see a few improvements:

  • Faster processor: Likely to be the A8 and M8 chips found in the iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus.
  • Touch ID: Seeing how integral this feature is to the iPhone, it's time to bring it to the iPad.
  • Improved display: Possibly see a higher pixel density, along with a rumored anti-reflective coating.
  • Revamped storage lineup: 16GB/64GB/128GB, the same as the iPhone 6 line.
  • New finish: Yes, the gold finish.

New iPad mini

It would be odd for Apple to update the iPad Air but leave the iPad mini untouched.

The rumors currently circulating suggest that the iPad mini will be updated in such as way as to make it a scaled down version of the iPad Air.

OS X 10.10 'Yosemite'

We know that OS X 10.10 'Yosemite' is coming, and that it will land sometime this fall. Also, thanks to a public preview, we have a very good idea of what's coming.

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One of the biggest changes to hit OS X is tighter integration with iOS devices. Users will be able to answer call and send and receive text messages directly from their Mac. Users will also be able to switch from working on a document on their Mac to working on it on their iPhone or iPad, or vice versa.

We expect to be given a release date for this release.

Here's a listing of the oldest Apple hardware capable of running OS X 10.10 Yosemite.

  • MacBook: Late 2008 Aluminum, or Early 2009
  • MacBook Air: Late 2008
  • MacBook Pro: Mid/late 2007
  • Mac mini: Early 2009
  • iMac: Mid 2007
  • Mac Pro: Early 2008
  • Xserve: Early 2009

To find out what Mac you are running, click on the Apple and then select About This Mac followed by More Info…. This will bring up a dialog box that tells you what hardware you are running.

New Macs

Given that OS X 10.10 'Yosemite' focuses so much on integration between Macs and iOS devices, then it makes sense that Apple should update the Mac line.

Here's what we could expect:

  • Updated iMac: More power, and there's rumors of a Reina display 27-inch iMac with 5K resolution.
  • Updated MacBook: Again, more power, and possibly an updated MacBook Air featuring a Retina display.
  • Updated Mac mini: The current Mac mini is the late 2012 model, so it's long overdue for a refresh.

Possible iPod refresh

It's certainly been a while since Apple updated the iPad lineup, and while there's no doubt that the iPhone and iPad has superseded the iPod, the iPod still pulls in some $450 million a quarter for Apple, and much more during the holiday quarter.

The iPod touch – Apple's iOS-enabled iPod – could certainly do with a performance bump to bring it in line with the iPhone 6.

See also:

Topics: Hardware, Apple, iOS, iPad, Operating Systems

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21 comments
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  • My guess....

    Its been way too long for...Mac Mini, Apple TV, iPod, display
    But there probably will be... Refreshed iMacs, OSX 10.10, iPad
    I don't think they'll do all of those.
    root12
    Reply 1 Vote

    • Your correct

      Yawn...
      Sean Foley
      Reply 1 Vote

  • iPod is about due

    its running on an A5 chip, which is bottom of the pile tech for Apple. Its still an important gateway drug for kids, and a great phone alternative for people who've already got phones (like me!)

    So Apple would be wise to up the specs.
    Mac_PC_FenceSitter
    Reply 3 Votes

  • I'm hoping for a revamped iPod Touch

    Don't want or need a data plan but love the camera and other capabilities the iPhone 6 offers.
    It could also be 10X the remote any Logitech makes were it to actually include the A8 chip !!
    partman1969@...
    Reply 2 Votes

  • I can tell you what's coming!

    A yawnfest.

    Seriously who cares except a few obsessed nerds who think Apple is some sort of religion?

    So they refresh the iPad with components from 2012 shared with the latest iPhone. Big deal.

    Sorry but the days of Apple's announcements being remotely interesting are in the history books.
    Lord Minty
    Reply 5 Votes

    • Well Minty

      They are doing a hell of a lot more than anyone else. I do agree with you about obsessed nerds, though. Ironically the ones that are most obsessed with Apple are it's detractors. It's quite fascinating. It's like it defines them.
      CowLauncher
      Reply 8 Votes

    • a few ?

      "a few obsessed nerds" unless your definition of a few is millions (which is the typical watch count for Apple releases) then you are a bit off, or more likely just another fAndroid Troll
      E Conner
      Reply 5 Votes

    • Seriously who cares except a few obsessed nerds who think Apple is some sor

      ...and yet, Minty, you are deep into this thread. Perhaps you dost protest too much!
      psiddle
      Reply 3 Votes

    • @Lord Minty

      Clearly you have this curious idea that people who work with Apple products belong to some kind of cult.
      5735guy
      Reply 1 Vote

  • The release of Yosemite is imminent

    It is now at release candidate 3 for GM. Many expect it to be out on the 16th.
    Mac Hosehead
    Reply 1 Vote

    • Release Candidate 3?

      I put "Version 5" on a computer on October 8th...
      I hate trolls also
      Reply Vote

      • Public Beta is at version 5

        Developers get more frequent releases. They are currently at GM 3
        baggins_z
        Reply Vote

  • 16BG's

    Do you think it will come with 16 BeeGees? Three are now sadly departed and surely there were only ever 4 of them, even when their brother Andy joined in!!

    Barry is the only one alive, so how is this possible?
    paul.grimsley
    Reply 3 Votes

  • AppleTV?

    that's long overdue for an update.
    paddle.
    Reply Vote

  • If there is no Mac Mini update

    I feel the last Apple purchase was and will be my last. I have no need for iMacs or Mac Pros. My iPhone 5c has issues with the Windows version of iTunes. I feel that if Apple does not update it's mini line, it will lose a ton of customers to PCs. I am not spending 1200 on just a computer! Never going to happen. Not with kids, car, house payments, gas prices... Apple needs to come in line with computers being worth $300-$400 computers to even stay relevant. Their future is mobile, their desktop line needs to come WAY down in price. As a long time Apple customer, the magic is just gone now. "Bigger than big" is not a good catchphrase, Jobs is turning over in his grave, bendy iPhones... cmon Apple get with the game!
    Perpetuallight
    Reply 2 Votes

    • Price

      I don't think the $600 price for the Mac mini is bad but they should have an SSD option instead of just the slow 5400 RPM drive.

      I don't think there is much of a market for the Mac mini, I use Apple TV and a MacBook if I need a bigger or second screen. I'd love to own a Thunderbolt display but $1000 is waaaaay too much for me.
      relwolf
      Reply Vote

    • Nope

      Apple never has competed with the bottom feeders for tiny margins, and I doubt they ever will. However, they do offer refurbished models, warranted like new, for lower prices to suit some buyers. Some, not all, and they have never aspired to meet every demand of every customer. Each of us should do some research and then buy what suits our needs, wants and budget--and not criticize others for different choices.
      frabjous
      Reply 2 Votes

  • Logo uodare

    The "way too long" tag line is a hint along with the colors to a return of the rainbow apple.
    mikebellman
    Reply Vote

    • Thanks autocorrect

      Sigh
      mikebellman
      Reply Vote

  • Revolutionise

    I'd hope with the subject being "it's been way too long", that there will be more than just speed bumps and minor changes to products. It's about time Apple really introduced something and shook the market up again. Something no-one has foreseen. I keep hoping they'll come out with a folding iPad, surely the technology must exist already for edge-to-edge displays, making a two screen iPad that could be used condensed or opened out. Or how about licensing IOS to other manufacturers. I don't know what they could announce, I just hope that one day there will be another 1984 type announcement.

    iMac in it's current form factor is dated if you ask me...revolutionise that again!
    iansumuk
    Reply Vote