It has only been a month since Apple dominated the technology news headlines with the launch of the iPhone 6, but Cupertino company is on a roll with the launch of new products we're about to see on Oct. 16.
Apple has started sending out invitations to the technology press for another media event, and it comes with a cryptic message: "It's been way too long." At face value, the message could only mean it has been a long time since the last iPad event was held at around the same time last year. Apple has been known to incorporate messages with double meanings in its invitations and could be hinting at bigger changes over the much of the Apple product line.
Last week, Re/code reported that the Oct. 16 event will be a "more laid-back affair" compared to Sept. 9's razzle and dazzle. Headlining the event, according to Re/code, will be the launch of a new line of iPads as well as new iMacs and possibly the full release of Apple's OS X Yosemite, which it first introduced at its WorldWide Developer Conference earlier this year.
Apple traditionally unveils its next-generation iPads every October, which is why it makes sense to expect new iPads, perhaps a bigger 12.9-inch model, next week. Reports say we can expect the new iPads to run on the powerful A8 processor fueling the iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus and possibly the Touch ID fingerprint scanner already available in the iPhone 5S. Apple may also start offering iPads in gold, in keeping with the colors of the latest-generation iPhones.
The iMac, which received a minor upgrade a few months ago, is also said to be getting a major overhaul, one that includes a 27-inch Retina display with ultra-high resolution. References in OS X Yosemite's beta version suggest Apple could be gunning toward 6400 x 3600, 5760 x 3240 and 4096 x 2304 resolutions, which would be the company's first foray into the 5K arena when it comes to desktop computers.
It's also likely that OS X Yosemite, which is already available in beta for developers, will officially launch shortly after Oct. 16. Another thing we could see next week is the launch of Apple Pay, Apple's mobile payments system that allows users to pay for goods and services using their NFC-enabled iPhone 6 or Apple Watch.
The company is also reportedly working on a redesigned Retina display 12-inch MacBook Air with a fan-less design and a click-less trackpad, but rumors say Apple has pushed back to early 2015 to introduce the new MacBook. Also allegedly up for an overdue update is the Apple TV, which the company recently acknowledged has become "more than just a hobby" when it reached 1 million sales on its set-top box. However, Apple is said to be caught in snags over negotiations with cable and content companies and is also moving the Apple TV upgrade to next year.
The Oct. 16 event will be held at an Apple Town Hall auditorium at 10 a.m. Pacific Time.
