Apple's online store goes offline ahead of 'Field Trip' event

Posted:
in iPad edited March 2018
A tradition ahead of major events, Apple on Tuesday took down its online store ahead of its 'Field Trip' presentation, an indication that the company will be making changes to its product lineup, potentially involving new iPads and the Apple Pencil.




Apple's online store went offline early in the day in preparation for the 'Field Trip' event, most likely for the introduction of new devices. Site visitors attempting to access the online store were greeted by the well-known "We'll be back" message written in Apple's bespoke San Francisco font, advising to "check back soon."

Usually the online store becomes available shortly after the product launch event, with major new additions shown on the main Apple.com homepage in many occasions. Today's Field Trip presentation is due to start at 11am eastern time, so the usual Apple event duration of between one and two hours puts the store reactivation at sometime after 12pm eastern.

The event, held at Chicago's Lane Tech College Prep High School, will have a focus on education, with the event invitation advising it will feature "creative new ideas for teachers and students."

Speculation ahead of the event strongly suggests Apple will reveal something related to the Apple Pencil, due to the invitation's drawn-in-pen appearance. Rumors have pointed to a new magnetic system that allows it to attach to the side of an iPad for storage, though other changes to the stylus could be on the cards

Regulatory filings in February also point to two new iPads that are on the way, and one may make an appearance at the event. Current theories about the hardware includes Apple Pencil support, lowering the cost, updating the specifications, and other elements that may make it easier to bring iPads into the classroom.

A refresh of the MacBook range has also been posited, including a Retina display for the MacBook Air and a new 13.3-inch MacBook, though these seem unlikely candidates for this presentation.

It is probable that Apple will talk about its education-centric projects, including the Classroom app for teaching groups of students using multiple iPads. An updated Classroom app is currently in beta testing alongside High Sierra 10.13.4, iOS 11.3, watchOS 4.3, and tvOS 11.3, making an unveiling highly plausible.

Apple will not be streaming the Field Trip event live, but will apparently make a recording of the presentation available after it ends.

AppleInsider will be reporting from the event with a live blog, set to commence just before 11am eastern.

Comments

  • Reply 1 of 12
    wlymwlym Posts: 102member
    Maybe Apple will announce that homeschooling hasn't worked for Siri and that she's being sent to a British boarding school. Fingers crossed.
    king editor the grateiqatedoTomEharry wildh2p
  • Reply 2 of 12
    Rayz2016Rayz2016 Posts: 6,957member
    Wouldn't it be weird if Amazon went off-line every time they added a new product.

    "We're updating the price of the Happy Moggy Deluxe Cat Cushion - Back Soon!"

    edited March 2018 macxpressking editor the gratecurtis hannahradarthekath2p
  • Reply 3 of 12
    herbapouherbapou Posts: 2,228member
    Rayz2016 said:
    Wouldn't it be weird if Amazon went off-line every time they added a new product.

    "We're updating the price of the Happy Moggy Deluxe Cat Cushion - Back Soon!"

    Lol indeed
  • Reply 4 of 12
    herbapouherbapou Posts: 2,228member
    Imo for education,  Apple needs a $300 ios laptop or a OSX laptop that runs on a mobile chip, if it’s possible 
    edited March 2018
  • Reply 5 of 12
    Rayz2016 said:
    Wouldn't it be weird if Amazon went off-line every time they added a new product.

    "We're updating the price of the Happy Moggy Deluxe Cat Cushion - Back Soon!"


    Its a clever advertising technique to let people know something’s coming. Apple only sells a handful of products, so it’s news when something new comes out. 
  • Reply 6 of 12
    I know Apple has said they aren’t live streaming it, but the way the wording/presented in the events app really makes it kinda seem that way. 
  • Reply 7 of 12
    radarthekatradarthekat Posts: 3,842moderator
    This being an education event, I’m happy to report I’ve already learned something.  After googling, I found that ‘on the cards’ isn’t incorrect; it’s just the British English version of ‘in the cards.’
    king editor the grateh2p
  • Reply 8 of 12
    NY1822NY1822 Posts: 621member
    Hope those Nike Apple Watch Bands are released today!
  • Reply 9 of 12
    canukstormcanukstorm Posts: 2,695member
    herbapou said:
    Imo for education,  Apple needs a $300 ios laptop or a OSX laptop that runs on a mobile chip, if it’s possible 

    Not possible.
  • Reply 10 of 12
    Rayz2016Rayz2016 Posts: 6,957member
    Rayz2016 said:
    Wouldn't it be weird if Amazon went off-line every time they added a new product.

    "We're updating the price of the Happy Moggy Deluxe Cat Cushion - Back Soon!"


    Its a clever advertising technique to let people know something’s coming. Apple only sells a handful of products, so it’s news when something new comes out. 
    Yeah, I know what it is. I was just thinking that it wouldn’t work for everybody. 

    And Apple doesn’t do it for every new product: the HomePod for example. 

    Now that would be weird.
    edited March 2018
  • Reply 11 of 12
    Not going to listen.  Will comeback for the articles on what happen at the event.
  • Reply 12 of 12
    TomETomE Posts: 172member
    it is easier to take it all down and stop ordering than it is to accept all the returns for those who find out a new product it being introduced to replace an older one.
    Amazon just sells out and suspends the SKU.  Apple has to change all the "Pages that Advertise" all the product features. 
    It is different from Amazon.  Perhaps it is even on Amazon - I don't know any more.
    watto_cobra
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