Join us today at 10:00 AM PDT for a full coverage of Tim Cook & Co’s announcements from Town Hall, Cupertino, California

Oct 16, 2014 14:51 GMT  ·  By

If you’re wondering why the news aren’t rolling in today, don’t worry, it’s the calm before the storm. Instead of talking about apps, accessories, and even leaks, everyone in the media is on the edge of their seat waiting for Tim Cook to take the stage at Town Hall, Cupertino, California.

Granted, not everyone is as excited as we are. Some believe Apple’s best days are behind it. Others, who were not impressed by the iPhone 6 unveiling, feel this event will be much weaker. We’re not here to prove them wrong. But we hope Apple does.

Below is a rundown of what we expect to see coming out of Apple today. However, since we’ve already covered this roundup time and time again, we’re not going to bore you with the technicalities. Also, be sure to scroll to the absolute bottom every time starting with 10:00 AM PDT (Pacific Daylight Time) as we’ll be updating this piece with timely announcements from Cupertino, California. What Apple says, we relay to you by the minute.

In store for today

As you may have already heard, Apple took down its online store for maintenance. This is because we’re about to see some new hardware roll out. Two fresh iPads are on the launch pad, both with Touch ID sensors and upgraded processors, as well as a slightly redesigned chassis with recessed buttons and one extra color option (Gold) for the iPad Air 2.

The iPad mini 3 is getting fewer upgrades, but will remain the only iPad available with a 16GB storage capacity. iPad Air 2 is also getting a better camera and Burst Mode for rapid photo shooting.

On the Macintosh front, the first Retina iMac is expected to launch today. There was also talk of a 12-inch MacBook Air that also boasts a Retina display, but according to the latest supply chain talks, the computer has been delayed. Another Mac that could see an upgrade today is the Mac mini.

Apple TV users may receive a new software update bundled with HomeKit capabilities. HomeKit will allow users to control home appliances from their set-top box, essentially using the remote that came with the product or the iPhone or iPad. In fact, the iDevices are far more plausible as controllers for home appliances. A new set-top box could also debut today, though we haven’t heard any credible rumors about this.

Live Coverage

Here’s where it all starts. Beginning with this line of text we’ll be keeping you up to date with every announcement from Apple’s Town Hall event. Two more hours remaining.

Update 1

As the media gets seated in the Town Hall auditorium (at Apple's Cupertino campus), Tim Cook takes the stage to make the usual introductions.

Town Hall auditorium
Town Hall auditorium

Tim Cook talks iPhone sales, "fastest selling iPhone so far," nothing you don't already know. China is a big blimp on their radar. Pre-orders also set a new record. "Biggest iPhone launch ever."

Apple Pay launching on Monday!

Cook demos Apple Pay
Cook demos Apple Pay

The company is very proud of being featured on the cover of Vogue China (Apple Watch). Cook announces WatchKit (rolling out next month) to create apps for the smartwatch. Device shipping early next year, as previously announced.

iPhone 6, Apple Pay, Apple Watch + Macs and iPads, as well as iOS 8 and OS X Yosemite – "Our strongest product lineup ever."

Update 2

Craig Federighi takes the stage to talk about iOS and OS X. Fingers crossed for Yosemite release! (Now citing iOS 8 reviews from the media).

Federighi talks market share and Android fragmentation
Federighi talks market share and Android fragmentation

"An absolute flood" of third-party widgets for iOS 8. Devs are crazy about them. Federighi demos these, as well as third-party actions (in Evernote, Box, Dropbox). Third-party keyboards also popular. Klingon keyboard demoed to everyone's delight. "Believe it or not, this is in the App Store," says Federighi. Now demoing HealthKit apps.

Praise from the media for Swift programming language. Already a lot of Swift-built apps in the app store, IBM is a fan too (citing Big Blue right now with some big words).

iOS 8.1 announced!

Improvements (based on customer feedback) include:

- brings back camera roll - Apple Pay - public beta of iCloud Photo Library (for just $0.99 you get 20GB)

No word on when it's being made available for download.

OS X Yosemite!

Federighi goes through the motions, details stuff we've already seen in the betas and the press coverage. Come on, Hair Force One. Give us the release date already!

Talking about working together. Hybrid OS anyone? Actually, he's just providing an update on Continuity and Handoff: calls and SMS using both iDevices and the Mac. "It's really magical." Demo time!

Hair Force One demos Yosemite and Continuity
Hair Force One demos Yosemite and Continuity

Federighi cracks the usual jokes, rings up Stephen Colbert. Colbert says he's tired of looking at his wrist, which doesn't hold an Apple Watch. Hilarious stuff! Speaking of which, Apple Watch works as a remote for the Apple TV.

OS X Yosemite is out today in the Mac App Store! iOS 8.1 available this Monday. iWork update for iOS and OS X updated and available today for free.

Update 3

Tim Cook back on stage to talk iPad. 225 million sold. People using them in ways Apple had never imagined. iPad mini Retina scores 100% customer satisfaction. "This is what makes our hearts sing," says Cook. 650K apps for iPad available today. That's exclusive iPad apps, we imagine. iPad Air is #1 in just about every ranking out there.

iPad Air 2 announced! Tim Cook now holding it on stage. Thinner than a pencil that just got a laser cut through it. "Can you even see it" [crowd cheers]. Phil Schiller on stage to talk about "the thinnest iPad we've ever made." 6.1 inches in depth. "World's thinnest tablet."

Phil Schiller discusses new display technologies
Phil Schiller discusses new display technologies

- laminated display - anti-reflective layer (reduces reflection by 60 percent) - A8X processor (3 billion transistors, 40% faster CPU, 2.5x faster GPU, 2nd-gen 64-bit architecture) - camera on iPad makes the tablet the best view-finder; 8MP camera with many of the enhancements in the iPhone cameras (demos remarkable photos taken with the tablet); takes panoramas up to 43 megapixels; burst mode; timelapse; slow-motion; HDR for video - dual microphones for better audio recording for video shooting - 2.8x faster Wi-Fi and faster LTE (20 bands, just like iPhone 6) - Touch ID, "perhaps the most requested features from customers"

Touch ID now present on the iPad Air 2 and iPad mini 3
Touch ID now present on the iPad Air 2 and iPad mini 3

Pixelmator creators up on stage to demo their new photo-editing iPad app. The iPad's creative focus remains primordial.

Replay creators up on stage to talk about their own iPad app. Replay lets you use your iPad to create rich videos without too much knowledge about movie editing.

iPad Air 2 starts at $499, iPad Air 3 starts at $399. Original iPad Air and iPad mini still selling (at lower price points). Pre-orders begin tomorrow.

Next up, the Mac.

Schiller churns out some updates (performance, sales figures, etc.). Demo time. Saving the best for last, are we, Apple?

iMac with Retina display announced! 14.7 million pixels, world's highest res computer screen. Apple calls it Retina 5K display. 7x more pixels than on your HD TV. Dwarfs 4K cinema.

The all-new Retina 5K iMac
The all-new Retina 5K iMac

Some perks and specs: 4K video editing, thunderbolt 2, 3.5 GHz CPU, 1TB fusion drive, 8GB RAM. Sells for $2,499.

Mac mini getting an upgrade as well: 4th gen Intel Core, Intel Iris and HD graphics 5000, faster Wi-Fi, Two thunderbolt ports, world's most energy efficient desktop. Now sells at just $499.

Both these new Macs are shipping today. Tim back on stage to go through the announcements one more time.

"Soon you can wear that powerful technology right on your wrist [talking about the watch]." Says Apple products are designed to work both individually and together. Tim thanks all the teams at Apple for their great work. Hands-on time! Show's over.

Join us now for some in-depth coverage of the new stuff Apple has just announced.

Tim Cook makes the closing statements
Tim Cook makes the closing statements

Photo Gallery (9 Images)

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