TID: Mystic BBS 1.12 A31   
   MSGID: 1:2320/102 026eb5c0   
   TZUTC: -0400   
   Here's everything we know about Apple's spring iPhone, iPad, and Mac event   
   Zac Hall   
      
   Apple has a mixed history of holding a special event in the spring to   
   announce new products, and this year there are certainly enough updates in   
   the pipeline to warrant one. While nothing is official until Apple makes the   
   announcement, this is everything we know so far about Apple's spring event.   
      
   Just how routine is a spring event for Apple? Last year Apple announced the   
   iPhone SE, 9.7-inch iPad Pro, and new Apple Watch bands on March 21. Two   
   years ago Apple unveiled the 12-inch MacBook, cheaper 3rd-gen Apple TV,   
   updates to the MacBook Air and MacBook Pro, and the first Apple Watch pricing   
   and availability details on March 9.   
      
   Rewind back to 2012, Apple announced the third generation Apple TV and iPad   
   on March 7, and back to 2011 Steve Jobs unveiled the iPad 2 on March 2. No   
   spring events in 2013 and 2014 show that Apple only holds these when there's   
   something ready to announce.   
      
   Apple has also slowly inched closer to April with its spring events which   
   suggests we may be waiting an extra month this year.   
      
   So is there something ready to announce? There are certainly products due for   
   updates (iPads and most Macs), and rumors point to a few surprises (like new   
   iPhone colors and storage options).   
      
   iPad   
      
   Apple's iPad lineup currently includes five models: iPad mini 2, iPad mini 4,   
   iPad Air 2, 9.7-inch iPad Pro, and 12.9-inch iPad Pro. The last update to the   
   lineup will be a year old next month and includes almost the same hardware as   
   the previous update unveiled six months prior, and that only includes the two   
   iPad Pro models. For perspective, iPad mini 2 at the bottom of the lineup   
   runs on the same A7 chip as the iPhone 5s from 2013.   
      
   Apple's next move for the iPad lineup is expected to include a new bezel-less   
   10.5-inch display size with similar dimensions to the overall footprint of   
   the 9.7-inch model. Updates to the 9.7-inch and 12.9-inch hardware are also   
   expected so Apple can maintain those price points.   
      
   A recent report, however, claims based on supply chain talk that the new   
   10.5- and 12.9-inch models might not ship until May or June. Apple unveiled   
   the original iPad Pro two months before it went on sale, so an April event   
   could conceivably include a new iPad form factor shipping 4-6 weeks later.   
      
   At least one report has claimed a new 7.9-inch iPad mini Pro will debut as   
   well, although timing on when the new iPad lineup will be ready has been   
   questioned multiple times.   
      
   iPhone   
      
   Apple's spring plans for the iPhone are easier to unwrap. Apple generally   
   unveils new flagship hardware in the fall and that's not expected to change   
   this year. But Apple did introduce the 4-inch iPhone SE last spring and this   
   year a new storage option has been rumored. The iPhone SE features most of   
   the same internals as the iPhone 6s, but with a design based on the iPhone   
   5s. Storage options currently include 16GB and 64GB, but a 128GB option has   
   been reported as coming soon.   
      
   A new color option for the iPhone 7 line has also been reported after   
   initially being rumored for the next generation hardware. Apple may be   
   planning to introduce a red iPhone 7 for the first time as a mid-cycle   
   update. New iPhone colors typically come at launch with the exception of the   
   white iPhone 4 which was delayed for several months, but the move could help   
   boost sales for a quarter without any new hardware compared to the same   
   quarter a year prior.   
      
   Mac   
      
   The Mac lineup has the most room for new hardware to be introduced with aging   
   products including both Retina iMacs, the Mac mini, and the Mac Pro.   
      
   Apple overhauled the MacBook Pro lineup last fall with the new Touch Bar   
   models, and the same USB-C treatment is expected to be headed to the iMac   
   lineup next. Apple strongly implied that the new 13-inch MacBook Pro without   
   Touch Bar is the replacement for the MacBook Air however.   
      
   April 19 would also mark one year since the second-gen 12-inch MacBook was   
   introduced so new models with upgraded processors would not be surprising. As   
   for the Mac Pro and Mac mini, both are years-old (2013 and 2014) but rumors   
   of updates have not surfaced. Many believe Tim Cook's recent promise of   
   ‘great desktops' points instead to more powerful iMacs.   
      
   One thing to note regardless of when iMacs adopt USB-C and Thunderbolt 3:   
   Apple's limited time discount on compatible accessories is set to expire on   
   March 31 after being extended past its original December 31 end date.   
      
   Apple Watch   
      
   Finally, Apple is likely planning to refresh the Apple Watch lineup with new   
   band colors and configurations and possibly even new materials. Rumors of an   
   Apple Watch Series 3 have pointed to battery life gains, but new hardware   
   isn't expected until later this year.   
      
   Several Apple Watch models are currently sold out online and in stores,   
   however, which typically suggests tweaks to available configurations are   
   coming soon.   
      
   How likely is it that Apple will indeed hold a spring event this year? It   
   probably depends on when new iPads and/or iMacs are ready to debut. Product   
   refreshes like the red iPhone 7 and 128GB iPhone SE could launch with a press   
   release and an update on Apple.com like last year's rose gold 12-inch MacBook.   
      
   Apple Park could be another factor. Apple's new campus is scheduled to open   
   to some employees in April, although Steve Jobs Theater where future events   
   will be held is opening "later this year" which probably means in September   
   for the iPhone 7s and iPhone Pro (or iPhone 8).   
      
   But Apple can put together an event at any number of locations if there's   
   something new to announce, so Apple Park's progress likely isn't as   
   significant as iPads being ready. iPads being ready could mean hardware   
   production or even software updates. Apple is currently testing iOS 10.3   
   through developer and public betas, but that update is relatively minor with   
   Find My AirPods as one of the headlining changes. Similar to how macOS   
   10.12.3 included Touch Bar support for macOS and built-in apps, Apple could   
   be saving iPad-specific features for a future build of iOS 10.3 or iOS 10.4   
   if not iOS 11 at WWDC 2017.   
      
   Stay tuned to 9to5Mac as we learn more about Apple's potential spring event.   
      
   --- Mystic BBS v1.12 A31 (Windows)   
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