We’ve already run down most of what we’re expecting from the new iPad Pro, iPad mini 4, iPhone 6s, iPhone 6s Plus, Apple Watch bands, and the new gold Apple Watch Sport colors expected to be announced at Apple’s September 9th event. On the eve of the event, we’ve received some additional details from several sources, which we roundup below.
- According to sources, the iPad Pro will actually start out at a 32GB capacity (which is still double the current 16GB base configuration of the iPad Air and iPad Mini lines) for $799. Apple will also sell 64GB and 128GB models for $899 and $999 a piece. The LTE-capable models we discussed earlier this week will likely cost $130 more per model, so we are likely looking at a maxed out LTE iPad Pro with 128GB of storage costing $1129, which comes in right under the base Retina MacBook.
- Besides a new Rose Gold color option, 4K video recording, 12 megapixel camera, 3D Touch screen based on the Force Touch technology, faster A9 chip, and more efficient wireless system, the new iPhones will have another much requested feature, according to sources: always-on “Hey Siri.” This will allow a user to activate Siri with just their voice by saying “Hey Siri.” Unlike with the current and past iPhone models, the device will not need to be plugged into power for this feature to work.
- The Apple TV will run a brand-new iOS 9-based operating system called “tvOS.” This naming convention is in line with the “watchOS” and “iOS” names of the Apple Watch and iPhone/iPad/iPod touch operating systems, respectively. We’re told that the operating system is based on the interface of the current Apple TV OS, but it includes lots of new iOS 9/El Capitan interface elements, including lots of transparency effects across the system. In addition to the Periscope app reported on earlier, we’re told that Airbnb is preparing an Apple TV app. Update: MacRumors has discovered a trademark for tvOS, while references have showed up in iTunes Connect.
- Lastly, we’re told that Apple has been collaborating with well-known fashion brands on new Apple Watch bands and features, and at least one partnership could be discussed at tomorrow’s event. Some of these projects are still in the early stages, so it is possible that we do not hear about those until next year when the second-generation watch is introduced. New Apple Watch bands and gold color variations still sound like a lock, however.
We’ll be covering the September 9th event extensively, so stay tuned for all the action at 10 AM Pacific/1PM Eastern time.