Next week’s event, the second Apple will hold during the pandemic following its Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC) keynote in June, is expected to broadcast from the Steve Jobs Theater on the Apple Park campus. It’s on that day we should get our first look at the “Apple Watch Series 6” and “iPad Air 4,” among other possible new products.
Apple Watch Series 6
The next-generation Apple Watch should feature a similar body as the previous two models. Inside, however, there’s likely to be a faster processor and hardware that can monitor blood oxygen levels of the wearer. The tool could make it possible to detect anxiety and sleep apnea. The wearable device will also include a built-in sleep tracker, which will also be available for previous Apple Watch owners thanks to the watchOS 7 operating system update.
iPad Air 4
Following the release earlier this year of two new iPad Pro tablets, attention now turns to changes to the regular iPad lineup. The iPad mini, iPad, and iPad Air are all due for hardware updates. The last one is expected to become the first non-professional iPad to feature Face ID and an edge-to-edge display. There’s less buzz about the possible changes coming to the iPad and iPad mini, which may suggest none are coming in 2020.
Software Public Releases
Last spring, Apple announced iOS 14, iPadOS 14, and the previously mentioned watchOS 7. Public versions of these software updates should launch in the coming days. The exact date(s) should be announced on Tuesday. Among the best new features coming to iOS 14 and iPadOS 14 are widgets, expanded messages, App Clips, new Memoji, a translater app, and much more. Besides the sleep tracker, watchOS 7 comes with the ability to create and share Watch faces, more fitness workouts, a hand-washing countdown, and more.
What’s Not Coming in September
Barring a last-minute change, Apple probably won’t reveal the iPhone 12 lineup next week. Likely to feature four new handsets at various price points, the new iPhone series has been slightly delayed by COVID-19. Because of this, Apple’s expected to launch the iPhone 12 in October or November, ending an eight-year streak of new Apple handsets arriving in September. Along with new iPhones, a possible October/November press event could see the launch of Apple’s first Silicone-based Mac. Announced earlier this year, Apple Silicone will replace Intel processors across the entire Mac lineup within two years. The first Macs to feature Apple Silicone could be a new MacBook Air or reimagined MacBook. Apple removed the latter from the market in 2019. Apple could also announce a new iMac in the coming weeks. It recently revealed a new 27-inch model without updating the 21.5-inch version. That could change soon. Finally, we should see new audio products arriving soon. These could include new AirPods, Apple-branded “pro” headsets, a second-generation HomePod, and more. Apple might also announce AirTags, a tracking product that’s similar to Tiles. AirTags connect to luggage, bags, and other accessories, so they don’t get lost. You can watch Apple’s event from the company’s website or through its Special Events app on Apple TV. If you miss the event live, you’ll be able to watch it later across different platforms, including YouTube.
