14 DAY TRIAL // Apple has just pushed the Apple Store offline temporarily, as per the company’s approach ahead of public events when new products are unveiled.
Today, the company’s is holding an education event at Lane Tech High School in Chicago, and a new iPad is believed to be on the agenda.
Apple will discuss the company's refreshed efforts for the education sector, as this particular market is now attracting substantial improvements for all tech giants, including rivals Google and Microsoft.
As part of its plans to conquer educators and students, Apple is expected to take the wraps off a new more affordable iPad that would compete with Microsoft's Surface Laptop and Google Chromebooks. While these devices aren't exactly part of the same category, Apple is betting big on an approach that would make the iPad very compelling for schools.
Apple Pencil support
One of the features will be Apple Pencil support, so both teachers and students will be able to use the iPad for taking notes during classes. This is a strategy that Microsoft itself relied on when it launched the Surface, and now Apple is aiming in the same direction with a new iPad.
The device could come with a 9.7-inch display, and one of the highlights will be its price, as Apple wants to make it as affordable as possible. No specifics are available at this point but expect full details to be offered at the event later today.
There have also been rumors pointing to a new MacBook to replace the existing Air, or a possible iPhone SE 2, but these products are unlikely to see daylight today.
The event won't be live-streamed, so all the information will be published after the show in press kits published by Apple and detailing its education push for everyone.
The new iPad is expected to go on sale next month, with a pre-order program possibly kicking off this Friday, as per Apple's typical approach after new product launches.