Apple’s next Special Event is rumored to happen on Tuesday, September 9th. While the invitation to the event won’t be officially sent out to the media until right before the event's scheduled date, from various sources it looks as though September 9th will be the special day.
iPhone 6 Rumors
As to what Apple will release at this event, it looks like the main product will be the rumored next generation iPhone, the iPhone 6. The iPhone 6 is supposedly going to feature two new sizes of screen - a 4.7-inch and a 5.5-inch model. Along with larger screen sizes, it is safe to say that the new iPhone will be faster, thinner and have a better camera, along with keeping that eye-catching design that iPhones are known for. We may also see improved Touch ID, which is Apple’s fingerprint scanner that allows you to unlock your phone, download apps and purchase iTunes content without needing to enter a passcode. Considering that the last few iPhones have incorperated the same 8 megapixel iSight camera, there is a good chance that the iPhone 6 will boast an upgraded camera. Apple may increase the megapixel count along with lens improvements and other technological improvements to the camera.
The 5.5-inch iPhone model is rumored to possibly have a faster processor than the 4.7-inch. It is unclear if only the 5.5-inch model will have the Sapphire glass in the display, which would allow the screens on the phones to be more durable.
The naming of the next iPhone is not very well known. Names such as iPhone Air and iPhone 6 are rumored, but it is just one thing we probably won’t know until Apple officially releases the new iPhone.
iOS 8 and Other Possible Products
Other products that we will see during the September event might regard the release of the next generation iPhone, iPad, and iPod Touch operating system - iOS 8. When Apple previewed iOS 8, there were new features that allow better syncing with the Mac and iOS devices as well as new features such as Apple’s new Health app. Some rumors have surfaced that the iWatch may see a release at the September event, but others point to an October release date.
Outside of what is known, there is always the possibility that we could see a surprise product launch. If Apple decides to stream the event live like previous events, it will be viewable from Apple's website.
[Update] It's Official
8/28 10:00am: Apple official issued invitations to the press today officially confirming the September 9th event. Invitations included the tag line "Wish we could say more."
Event Time — Apple's media event will begin September 9th at 10:00 AM Pacific Time at the Flint Center for the Performing Arts on the campus of De Anza College in Cupertino. MacRumors.com notes that this is a historic location for Apple as it is "the same location where Steve Jobs introduced the original Mac 30 years ago." Apple is said to be building a mysterious "massive structure" on the grounds and security is tight leading up to this much anticipated event. Add a reminder to your Calendar here.
Rumors Update— In addition to the all but confirmed announcement of the new iPhone, it is now believed that Apple will also premier the long awaited "wearable device" commonly referred to as the iWatch.
iWatch — The next frontier of technology integration into our everyday lives, wearables have been popping up from a wide range of companies. More than watches, wearables represent realtime tracking of our physical activity, heartrate and sleeping habits. Apple has been noticeably absent from the market populated by Pebble, Fitbit, Samsung, and LG.
What are "smart watches" and what do they do? These wearable devices are focused on integrating health tracking, with your smartphone. This marriage of biofeedback and always-with-you technology opens the door for long term exorcise, diet, and sleep tracking effortlessly. With health tracking apps like Argus, Sleep Cycle, MapMyRun and Run Keeper, Calorie Counter and Diet Tracker by MyFitnessPal, and a slew of others, you can track nearly every aspect of your day to day health. These apps integrate with wearables to eliminate tedious manual input, but health tracking is still complicated and disjointed. Healthbook is Apple's solution to the disorganized and intimidating world of health tracking. Healthbook will unify fitness (diet, bloodpressure, sleep habits) and Apple's rumored wearable will gather all that useful information for Healthbook automagically.
The technology does not stop there. The iWatch is expected to be a multitool of simple task we use our iPhone or iPad for every day. By integrating with your phone, you can easily access Calendar appointments and Reminders, view and reply to messages, make or answer calls over bluetooth and much more. With Siri integration we could have a great deal of voice-controlled power in a watch-like device that is always available.
Homekit — Apple is also expected to expand the features of their new Homekit technology. Homekit will unify smart home products, like Nest thermostats, Philips Hue connected lights, Belkins WeMo line of smart outlets and the popular Goji smart door locks, in much the same way Healthbook will unify health tracking. This is expected to result in a single control center for iPhone to switch on lights, set the temperature and even lock or unlock your house right from your phone. A smart house remote is just a couple weeks away. MacRumors.com also notes that this may be the reason for the unknown structure Apple is building for the event, but this of course is speculation.
Join us at any CityMac location on September 9th for free doughnuts and coffee, and watch the media event live to find out exactly what Apple has coming this fall to your local Apple Specialist. Click here to find out more about our September 9th event.