By <https://9to5mac.com/author/chmiller44/> Chance Miller.
Earlier this week, Apple
<https://9to5mac.com/2020/09/08/apple-iphone-12-event-september/> officially
set the (virtual) stage for its annual September event, inviting members of
the press and the public to tune in remotely on September 15. At the event,
which was given the "Time Flies" tagline, we expect new Apple Watch and iPad
hardware, details on iOS 14, and more.
Read on as we round up everything you need to know about Apple's September
special event.
When is Apple's September event?
Apple's special event this year will take place on Tuesday, September 15. It
will be completely virtual due to the COVID-19 pandemic, so we expect a
pre-recorded video from Steve Jobs Theater and Apple Park.
You'll be able to live stream the event through Apple's website, on YouTube,
and through the Apple TV application. It'll kick off at 10 a.m. PT/1 p.m. ET
6 p.m. GMT.
New iPad Air
The iPad Air is <https://9to5mac.com/2020/08/27/ipad-air-4-pamphlet/>
expected to get a major redesign this year, based on several different
reports over the last month. According to a leaked pamphlet from last month,
Apple has developed a dramatically resigned iPad Air 4 that bears a strong
resemblance to the iPad Pro.
The iPad Air features an edge-to-edge display without a Home button,
alongside flat edges and USB-C connectivity. Instead of Face ID, the new
iPad Air will actually feature Touch ID built into the side button on the
iPad Air.
The idea of a Touch ID side button in an Apple product was first suggested
by analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, who
<https://9to5mac.com/2019/12/05/kuo-iphone-2020-and-2021/> said that the
2021 iPhone SE Plus would feature Touch ID in the side button. It appears
that Apple will also bring the technology to the iPad Air.
Assuming this latest leak is legitimate, it would represent a major upgrade
for the iPad Air, which looks rather dated compared to the iPad Pro. The
iPad Air sits between the base model $329 iPad and the higher-end iPad Pro
models in Apple's tablet lineup, and giving it a more modern look would help
to distance it further from the entry-level iPad.
<https://9to5mac.com/2020/08/31/bloomberg-ipad-air-new-watch/> Bloomberg
has reported that the new iPad with an edge-to-edge display will be one of
the focal points of the September 15 event, so we expect to learn quite a
bit more on Tuesday.
Apple Watch Series 6
In addition to the new iPad Air, the September event is also expected to
include the announcement of the Apple Watch Series 6. As has become the
norm, evidence suggests that this year's Apple Watch will focus heavily on
new health features.
Code <https://9to5mac.com/2020/03/08/apple-watch-blood-oxygen-saturation/>
found within iOS 14 by 9to5Mac has indicated that Apple Watch will add blood
oxygen level detection this year.
Blood oxygen levels between 95% and 100% are considered healthy; blood
oxygen levels below 80% may lead to compromised heart and brain
functionality. Risk of respiratory or cardiac arrest is common after
continued low blood oxygen saturation. This feature would work similarly to
existing watchOS heart rate notification features. If Apple Watch detects a
blood oxygen level below a certain threshold, it will trigger a notification
for the user.
9to5Mac has also found evidence in iOS 14 that Apple is working to improve
the electrocardiogram feature with the Apple Watch Series 6. Apple Watch
Series 4 and 5 currently result in inconclusive ECG readings with heart
rates between 100 and 120 beats per minute. The Apple Watch Series remove
that limitation with an upgraded version of the ECG app.
The Apple Watch Series 6 is likely to look similar to the
<https://amzn.to/2QYBFMe> Apple Watch Series 5. Reports
<https://9to5mac.com/2020/03/27/rumor-apple-developing-touch-id-fingerprint-
biometrics-for-apple-watch-series-2-will-not-support-watchos-7/> indicate
that there aren't any major changes in store for the Apple Watch Series 6's
industrial design and that it will follow the same general form factor as
the Series 4 and Series 5. Of course, things like new finishes, colors, and
bands are always possible.
Finally, Apple Watch Series 6 is expected to officially drop support for
Force Touch. Force Touch allowed Apple Watch users to firmly press on the
device's display to access additional content and controls, such as changing
watch faces or clearing all notifications.
In watchOS 7, Apple deprecated the Force Touch feature, and Apple Watch
Series 6 is likely to remove the hardware component of the functionality as
well. This change should free up some space inside the Apple Watch Series 6,
but it's unclear how Apple might put that newfound space to use elsewhere.
You can find all of the latest
<https://9to5mac.com/2020/09/06/apple-watch-series-6-features-roundup/>
Apple Watch Series 6 rumors in our full guide right here.
Apple Watch Series 3 replacement
But the Apple Watch announcements aren't expected to end with the Series 6.
<https://9to5mac.com/2020/09/09/apple-watch-series-3-upgrade/> Bloomberg
reported last week that Apple is planning a lower-end Apple Watch for this
year. The report explained that the lower-end Apple Watch will serve as a
replacement to the Apple Watch Series 3, which Apple continues
<https://amzn.to/2F4czsR> to sell starting at $199.
Details on what exactly will be upgraded in the Series 3 replacement are
unclear. The Apple Watch Series 3 is powered by Apple's S3 processor, so one
of the most logical assumptions is that the new model will feature Apple's
newer S4 or S5 processor inside.
Twitter leaks have
<https://9to5mac.com/2020/09/11/apple-watch-series-3-replacement-details/>
indicated that the Apple Watch Series 3 replacement will feature a design
similar to the Series 4/Series 5.
Additionally, the Apple Watch Series 3 lacks many of the health features
that make the newer Apple Watch models so appealing. While it's unlikely
that Apple will bring the ECG functionality to the lower-end Series 3
replacement, it could absolutely add fall detection functionality.
Regardless of what Apple has in store for the Apple Watch Series 3
replacement, we should learn more during Apple's event on Tuesday.
Software release dates
Outside of hardware announcements, Apple will likely offer additional
details on iOS 14, watchOS 7, iPadOS 14, and tvOS 14 during its September
event. While Apple unveiled these new updates at WWDC in June, it generally
likes to take another look at the features at its September event.
Apple this week <https://9to5mac.com/2020/09/09/ios-14-beta-8/> released
iOS 14 beta 8 to developers and public beta users. This could very well be
the last incremental beta of iOS 14. History would suggest that the golden
master version of iOS 14 will be released following Apple's special event on
September 15. From there, we would expect a release to the general public
soon after, alongside watchOS 7 and tvOS 14. Apple is likely to announce the
release during the event.
Given that the iPhone 12 won't be available until October at the earliest.
This means that the new iPhone models will likely ship with something like
iOS 14.1 out of the box.
As for macOS 11 Big Sur, Apple will likely save that release for sometime in
October or even into November, depending on the timeline of the first Apple
Silicon Mac.
Wild cards
Apple is
<https://9to5mac.com/2020/08/13/bloomberg-apple-services-bundle-to-be-launch
ed-in-october/> believed to be working on a bundle of its growing collection
of subscription services. Reports have indicated that there will be several
tiers to the bundle options, including a base tier with just Apple TV+ and
Apple Music as well as more premium bundles that include Apple Arcade, Apple
News+, and iCloud storage.
Just this week, our colleagues
<https://9to5google.com/2020/09/10/apple-one-music-unified-subscription-apk-
insight/> over at 9to5Google discovered evidence of the "Apple One"
subscription bundle in the Apple Music for Android application. Whether or
not Apple announces the Apple One bundle at the September 15 event or saves
it for October remains to be seen.
AirPods Studio
For over a year now, reports have been circulating suggesting that Apple
will soon launch its own pair of over-ear headphones. These are believed to
exist separately from the Beats brand
<https://9to5mac.com/2020/05/11/airpods-studio-features-exclusive/> and
offer features such as head and neck detection, custom equalizer settings,
and more.
9to5Mac has also found evidence of so-called AirPods Studio in the leaked
iOS 14 beta code,
<https://9to5mac.com/2020/03/09/airpods-headphones-ios-14/> including assets
showing at least two color options for the new accessory. As for the price,
<https://9to5mac.com/2020/05/09/airpods-studio-over-ear-price/> rumors
suggest that it will cost $349.
Most recently,
<https://9to5mac.com/2020/08/31/bloomberg-ipad-air-new-watch/> Bloomberg
reported that AirPods Studio could be released as soon as this year. If
Apple is looking to fill out its September event beyond just iPad and Apple
Watch news, AirPods Studio seem like a perfect fit. Rumors have also
suggested a cheaper HomePod could be on the way as well.
Read everything we know so far about Apple's rumored
<https://9to5mac.com/2020/09/02/apple-airpods-studio-headphones-roundup/>
AirPods Studio in our full guide.
AirTags
Speaking of Apple accessories that have been rumored for a long time, the
company is widely believed to be developing its own
<https://amzn.to/2JRcJTr> Tile-like item trackers. In June 2019,
<https://9to5mac.com/2019/06/04/ios-13-tag-device/> 9to5Mac reported on
assets within iOS 13 that referenced a product type "Tag1,1."
Since then,
<https://9to5mac.com/2019/10/28/exclusive-apple-planning-airtag-name-for-til
e-like-tracker-accessory/> 9to5Mac discovered evidence of the "AirTags" name
and references even
<https://9to5mac.com/2020/04/02/apple-airtag-reference/> appeared in a video
published by Apple itself. Most recently, a supply chain report indicated
that <https://9to5mac.com/2020/09/08/iphone-12-mass-production/> mass
production of AirTags was already under way.
You can find everything we know so far about
<https://9to5mac.com/2020/02/22/apple-airtags-features-release/> AirTags in
our full guide right here. We expected AirTags at last year's iPhone 11
event, and we still don't have them, so whether or not they come during the
September event this year is anyone's guess.
New Apple TV
Apple is also reportedly working on a new Apple TV and a new Siri remote.
Evidence of a
<https://9to5mac.com/2020/02/06/new-apple-tv-4k-hardware-appears-closer-to-l
aunching-based-on-tvos-13-4-beta-code/> new Apple TV hardware refresh has
been circling around in iOS code for a while, and a report recently
indicated that one of the changes will be a faster chip for improved gaming
performance.
As for the new Apple TV remote,
<https://9to5mac.com/2020/08/31/bloomberg-apple-tv-new-remote/> Bloomberg
has suggested that one of the upgrades will be support for the Find My
application. This will make it easier for people to locate a remote when it
goes missing in the house. Whether or not other improvements are also in
store for the controversial Siri remote remains to be seen.
Much like AirPods Studio, a new Apple TV would be great fodder for Apple's
September event, but we'll have to wait to find out if that ends up being
the case.
News about the Mac
Finally, the Mac lineup is nearly set to begin its transition to Apple
Silicon processors. Apple has said that it will release its first Apple
Silicon Mac before the end of this year, but current indicators are that the
Apple Silicon transition will not be addressed at the September event.
But no iPhone 12.
In a break from tradition, reports from a variety of sources indicate that
the iPhone 12 will not be announced during Apple's September event this
year. The iPhone 12 has faced delays due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and Apple
itself confirmed in July that this year's iPhones would arrive "a few weeks"
later than the iPhone 11 lineup did last year.
So when can we expect the iPhone 12 to be announced? Right now, indications
are that Apple will hold another Special event in October focused on the
iPhone 12 and perhaps new Mac hardware. In the meantime, you can keep up
with everything we know so far
<https://9to5mac.com/2020/07/31/iphone-12-features-release-date/> about this
year's new iPhones in our full guide.
Wrap-up
Even though we don't expect any news about the iPhone at Apple's special
event next week, there is still plenty to be excited about. Between new
Apple Watch models, a redesigned iPad Air, iOS 14 details, and more, it's
easy to see how this event will live separately from the iPhone announcement
this year.
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