Apple’s iPhone 12 event may have been delayed this year, but we’re set to hear about new gadgets from the company at a livestreamed keynote set to take place later today.
The Apple event kicks off today (September 15) at 10am PT / 1pm EST / 6pm BST (3am AEST on September 16 in Australia).
The event is being livestreamed, so you can watch along, and we’re expecting to see a variety of new gadgets from the company, with rumors of announcements for the Apple Watch 6, Apple Watch SE, iPad Air 4 and even Apple AirTags.
Leaks suggest we’ll only see those products, and maybe a few other surprises, and it’s unlikely that we’ll get an iPhone 12 announcement later today, although Apple has yet to confirm that’s the case, so there’s a chance it could still happen.
Below we’ll talk you through what to expect before the event gets underway at Apple HQ, and then we’ll be talking you through the launch as it happens, and providing reaction and analysis as the new devices are unveiled.
All times in Pacific Standard Time (PT)
07:14 – It’s very unlikely we’ll be seeing the iPhone 12 today, but TechRadar’s Phones Writer Tom Bedford has found some listings for some remarkably similarly named products already up for sale.
Please do not buy these thinking they’re phones made by Apple.
06:54 – Cook is awake, and we totally missed his early morning tweet. Even though today is different to previous Apple events, he was still up early ready to send out that morning message.
This has led to speculation in the TechRadar team of what Cook does with those six spare hours? Does he go over his script? Does he try to relax?
Some have even suggested he plays a quick game of Apex Legends to calm his nerves. If that’s true, we’re pretty certain Cook is a Pathfinder main.
06:15 – Will there be Apple TV related announcements today? TechRadar’s Home Cinema Editor, Henry St Leger, says “I’m not expecting all the rumors around this event to be true, but something on the TV side seems likely. We’ve been hearing about a new iteration of the Apple TV hardware for months now, and it would be perfect timing to launch it alongside tvOS 14, which will likely be leaving public for a full release sometime this month.
“I don’t expect much to happen with Apple TV Plus, either – as much as I want the interface overhauled – but being able to access it through an umbrella Apple One subscription with other Apple services would probably do much to reignite interest in it.”
04:02 – Apple TV Plus is almost a year old, so will we be hearing about new TV shows at the Apple event? Maybe getting some insight into the company’s next foray into film?
TechRadar’s Senior Entertainment Editor, Samuel Roberts, says: “‘With Apple TV Plus, a steady stream of new, high-profile originals have kept subscribers busy with content during a fairly tepid year for entertainment options. Bold moves like acquiring the Tom Hanks movie Greyhound, or bankrolling Martin Scorsese’s next movie Killers of the Flower Moon, show that Apple is serious about being a contender in entertainment.
“My expectation is that like the reveal of Foundation on Apple TV Plus earlier this year, you’ll catch a first look at another major series in the works, or see the announcement of another big acquisition. Something like that will make a splash alongside the reveal of Apple One.
“Apple TV Plus arguably still lacks an original show like The Mandalorian that’ll get the service attention from those outside of the company’s tech ecosystem – that’s what the service will need to truly take off.”
03:30 – So, what should we expect from the Apple Watch 6? The most trusted rumors suggest the company won’t be updating the design of its smartwatch extensively, and that we’ll be seeing a similar looking device to the Apple Watch 6.
Instead the improvements are likely to be internal, with some suggesting the new Watch may be getting a larger battery to ensure better sleep tracking, plus new fitness features.
TechRadar’s Fitness and Wellbeing Editor, Catherine Ellis, says: “The Apple Watch 6 might be first to feature SpO2 tracking, allowing you to see changes in your blood oxygen saturation overnight that can indicate problems like sleep apnea.
“It’s a feature that’s become common on even inexpensive fitness trackers, and seems like a natural addition for a device that already has heart rate monitoring and an ECG.”
01:52 – Oh, and we almost forgot… there’s a rumor that Apple One will be launched today. This is a subscription service that’s been rumored for a while now, which will supposedly bundle Apple Music, Apple Arcade, Apple TV Plus, Apple News Plus and other software into one package, and therefore one price.
01:45 – So, exactly what are we going to see today? That’s the big question, and it’s a little uncertain at the moment, but the leaks tend to point towards the below. Think something is missing from the list? That likely means it won’t be getting announced today, and we’ll talk you through those things in a new update coming soon.
01:35 – Welcome to our Apple event 2020 live blog – this is where you’ll find all the latest news and rumors in the build-up to Apple’s new product launch, as well as our coverage of the event itself.
It’s a little early to be talking about the new products, so we’ll be talking you through the information that we know so far, as well as any leaks or news that breaks throughout the day.
But first, the key details for today: