For a change, a down website is met with cheers and anticipation.
The Apple Store website went down on Tuesday, March 21 for maintenance. The downtime sent the Apple fandom crazy with speculations. Apple is rumored to launch several products this week such as the upcoming 10.5 iPad Pro.
Churning The Apple Rumor Mill
The Apple Store was taken offline for "an upcoming maintenance" on March 21 between 3 a.m. to 8:30 a.m. EST. When accessed, the page only reveals a splash page with a very Apple-esque teaser written on it.
"We've got something special in store for you. And we can't wait for you to see it. Please check back soon."
This statement is enough to send the rumor mills on overdrive as the clues are pieced together. For one, 8:30 a.m. is the usual time when Apple gives out press releases. Also, the date of the maintenance coincided with rumors last week about new products Apple will be releasing, according to sources from supply chains.
As it has done for the past two years, Apple traditionally holds a March product launch and invites media people weeks before. But as it is already midway through March and no invitations have been given out, the event will likely not happen.
Of course, a website teaser and Apple Store overhaul is just part of the reveal; expect Apple to release official press releases soon afterward. A launch event could be delayed to a later date (like a spring event) but until the press release comes out, everything today remains to be a pile of rumors.
New iPad Coming Up
The products in the rumor limelight are the updated iPad Pro, both 9.7-inch and 12.9-inch models. Also rumored to come out is the 128 GB iPhone SE, a red color option for the iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus, and the new Apple Watch.
The 12.9-inch iPad Pro will feature a 12-megapixel rear camera and True Tone display. True Tone technology uses advanced four-channel ambient light sensors that measure light around you for its color and brightness, then adjusts the display's color and intensity to match the available ambient light. Thus, Apple aims to produce a true white color under any light situation.
Also rumored to be announced is the new 10.5-inch iPad Pro. This one sports slimmer bezels to show an edge-to-edge display. As this iPad model is deemed "new," it is expected that this will be announced in the still-to-be-determined event. Sources point to WWDC 2017 event coming this spring.
