iPad Air, OS X Yosemite, iPhone Sales to Make News at Oct. 16 Event

By Don Reisinger

Apple will launch a new iPad Air at its special event on Oct. 16. In fact, it’s expected that the device will take the lead during the presentation. Rumors suggest that the iPad Air will come with the same 9.7-inch screen as its predecessor and boast the A8 processor, along with the M8 coprocessor. The device’s design isn’t expected to change much.

A new line of iMacs is a bit overdue, so it shouldn’t surprise anyone if Apple unveils them at this latest media briefing. In addition to faster processors and improved graphics, the iMacs will likely come with a Retina display. That would greatly enhance the devices’ appeal to creative individuals and consumers and could boost the company’s all-in-one computer sales.

When Tim Cook takes the stage at 10 a.m. PT, expect him to spend an ample amount of time talking about the iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus. The devices have proved extremely popular and set a sales record in just their first three days on store shelves. Apple will almost undoubtedly discuss new sales figures and talk about why it believes it’s selling so well.

The Apple Watch is another guaranteed discussion at the upcoming event. While the Apple Watch won’t launch until early next year, Apple wants to keep the steady drumbeat of hype and excitement going. Look for the company to provide more detailed specs on the device and maybe even announce a preorder date, giving it more than enough lead time to get units ready.

Apple likes to use its first event after the launch of a new iOS update to talk about iOS 8 adoption. Therefore, the company’s event on Oct. 16 will undoubtedly be used to talk about how many people around the globe have already downloaded iOS 8. The talk will also compare iOS 8 adoption to that of Android as Apple continues to make the argument—right or wrong—that Google’s platform is fragmented.

Although all signs point to an iPad Pro launching at some point soon, the chances of it being announced during the event seem slim. That device is rumored to feature a 12.9-inch screen and was reportedly going to be put into mass production later this year. Due to the heavy demand for the iPhone 6 Plus, however, Apple has decided to push back the iPad Pro launch to next year and put its discussion on the device on the backburner.

Apple has already said that its mobile-payment platform Apple Pay will launch in October, so it shouldn’t surprise anyone if the company announces its official launch on Oct. 16. In addition, Apple will likely talk about the increased support it’s receiving from merchants and get into a broader discussion on how exactly the technology will work in practice.

Apple’s Yosemite operating system was first introduced at the Worldwide Developers Conference earlier this year and has been in beta test since then. Now that fall is here and it appears the operating system is just about ready to go, it seems likely that Apple will announce the launch of the free downloadable operating system at its event. One other note: Expect the new iMacs to ship with Yosemite on them.

Although the iPad Mini hasn’t received too much attention from the rumor mill over the last several weeks, that doesn’t mean Apple will ignore it. Quite the contrary, the company is expected to announce a new iPad Mini featuring the same 7.9-inch screen size, but with updated specs. The iPad Mini could use a refresh, and Apple will gladly deliver that.

So far, Touch ID, Apple’s fingerprint sensor that controls Apple Pay and access to iOS, has been available only on iPhones. With the announcement of new iPads, however, it’s a guarantee that the technology will find its way to the iPad Air and iPad Mini. Apple wants Apple Pay to grow in popularity, and the only way for that to happen is for Touch ID to be bundled with its devices. Touch ID will officially be part of Apple’s iPad line after Oct. 16.