Online Apple Store down ahead of rumored iPad & iMac updates
The online Apple Store periodically goes down for maintenance or to roll out new hardware, but the latter is a distinct possibility given that new hardware is expected, and the March 25 "its show time" event is expected to be focused on other matters.
Apple has temporarily taken its online Store down. Visitors to it currently see a "Be Right Back" notice and an explanation that the company is working on it. "We're adding updates to the Apple Store," it says. "Check back soon."
While Apple always does this before a hardware announcement, this time it's different because we're one week away from the company's next big launch event.
Previously these events have always included new hardware but persistent rumors have predicted that this March 25 one will be devoted exclusively to the updated Apple News service and the new Apple streaming video one. This week-early closure of the store would seem to back that up.
It's not known what new hardware may be unveiled when the Store reopens but it's expected that we'll see new iPads. We may also see the long-awaited launch of the AirPower charging pad and conceivably even iMacs.
The latest rumors about a new 2019 iPad suggest that it will come with a larger 10.2-inch display and faster processor, but otherwise retain the previous entry-level model's physical design. That means it's expected to keep using Touch ID instead of the newer Face ID, and also that it will still have a headphone socket.
There are also strong rumors that Apple will revamp the iPad mini. This has not been updated since 2015, but according to analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, a new model is likely to at least be upgraded with a faster processor.
Apple has temporarily taken its online Store down. Visitors to it currently see a "Be Right Back" notice and an explanation that the company is working on it. "We're adding updates to the Apple Store," it says. "Check back soon."
While Apple always does this before a hardware announcement, this time it's different because we're one week away from the company's next big launch event.
Previously these events have always included new hardware but persistent rumors have predicted that this March 25 one will be devoted exclusively to the updated Apple News service and the new Apple streaming video one. This week-early closure of the store would seem to back that up.
It's not known what new hardware may be unveiled when the Store reopens but it's expected that we'll see new iPads. We may also see the long-awaited launch of the AirPower charging pad and conceivably even iMacs.
The latest rumors about a new 2019 iPad suggest that it will come with a larger 10.2-inch display and faster processor, but otherwise retain the previous entry-level model's physical design. That means it's expected to keep using Touch ID instead of the newer Face ID, and also that it will still have a headphone socket.
There are also strong rumors that Apple will revamp the iPad mini. This has not been updated since 2015, but according to analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, a new model is likely to at least be upgraded with a faster processor.
Comments
Pricing is still 'Be right back'. - but there ARE prices on the 'compare iPads' page - starting price for new iPad 11" is £769 (UK price remember)
Been wondering how Apple is to going to position a 6 to 8 core iMac with Vega GPU against the iMac Pro with 8 to 18 core Xeon with Vega GPU.
A cheap iPad LTE will be a great purchase too.
https://appleinsider.com/articles/18/11/15/review-apples-11-inch-ipad-pro-is-stunningly-powerful-and-difficult-to-categorize
APPLE ANNOUNCES NEW IPADS
I'm looking forward to the next iMac, due to be released in 2022, as the Mac Mini team was a little peeved at the iMac team, so Apple decided to make things fair, and have a 4 year update between iMacs, and added an extra year as payback to the Mini team. They were at first stunned, then elated.
On this iMac, it will be the only one to feature the Apple Pencil 6, which will have no compatibility with Apple Pencils 1-5, and have a tip that is threaded reverse, so even those aren't compatible. You'll be able to log in with your signature, but it'll be kept in the Giga-Secure data storage, along with your face for FaceID, all 10 of your fingertips for TouchID, your DNA for dnaID, your weight/BMI for WeightID and bmiID, your last 12 songs listened to for MusicID, and a sample of your DNA for dnaID. With SignatureID, there have been fears of a hack of this chip would let someone totally impersonate you, especially with the new cell 3D printers just released in 2021. As new Apple President, Tim Apple (a remarkable Tim Cook look-alike) said, in his 2011 keynote voice, "that'll never happen."
Sorry, folks... just having fun...
Sorry about that... I got a little over excited about the idea of a new iMac (see above).