Apple sends out invites to special event on October 16

Apple has sent out invitations for a special event taking place October 16, 2014 at 10:00 AM PT. This is widely expected to be the reveal of new iPads and Macs. A launch date for OS X Yosemite is also expected. The invitation has a partial colorful Apple logo, along with the phrase "It's been way too long".

The event will be held at Apple's campus in Cupertino. Recent reporting suggests that a Retina iMac may make an appearance, though if it will launch soon after is unknown. Touch ID is also expected to makes its way to the new iPads.

Source: The Loop

Joseph Keller

Joseph Keller is the former Editor in Chief of iMore. An Apple user for almost 20 years, he spends his time learning the ins and outs of iOS and macOS, always finding ways of getting the most out of his iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch, and Mac.

81 Comments
  • Colorful ipads
  • Are you happy about that, or mad? Just saying "colorful (sic) iPads" is essentially meaningless.
  • "It's been way too long" is a terrible tagline. It gives negative connotations that Apple has been slacking. Surely they could have come up with something better.
  • It has been "way too long." It's been way too long since they did anything innovative or worthwhile with the iPads. This year is shaping up to be a HUGE bore. I won't be buying a new one unless they announce that they can finally take phone calls, or have a stylus, or get rid of some of the horrible thick and unnecessary bezels around the edge. If they even made the iPad so that I could use it with the Watch, I might consider purchasing this year. But that's pretty unlikely. If they remove the rotation lock as is rumoured, I might even give up entirely and move back to a laptop.
  • For me, owning an iPad 3, I'm looking forward to this new round of iPads - the Touch ID alone will be enough to lure me in, along with the lighter weight and faster speeds. As far as taking phone calls, though, my iPad 3 can already do that (in conjunction with my iPhone, of course).
  • blablablahhh
  • Stylus? Just buy a stylus if you need to use one. Sent from the iMore App
  • It will be able to take phone calls when Continuity/Handoff (can remember which one) is enabled. Just like the Mac with Yosemite. Hopefully it will be enabled in 8.1, 8.2 at the latest. That's at least 1 on your list :-) Sent from the iMore App
  • I can and have already taken/made phone calls from my iPad Air through my iPhone via continuity/handoff. This was available with iOS 8.0.0
    SMS continuity is not yet available. Soon. Sent from the iMore App
  • iOS 8 allows iPads to take calls and SMS messages with the Continuity feature.
  • Actually, it can take calls, but the SMS functionality was delayed until this month. At least that is what I have heard, and I haven't seen my SMS working. Have you?
  • You mad bro?
  • buy a stylus, why would you? make calls with a voip app or embrace FaceTime audio to call your fellow apple users i predict watch will also work with future iPads. be foolish if they didn't i would be surprised if rotation lock is removed
  • So, your answer to me wanting a phone or a stylus is that I should be happy with a sort of "pretend" psuedo-phone or pseudo-stylus? That makes no sense to me as an argument. It's closer to an insult.
  • Take it as an insult , i don't care. who are you, the President? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4YY3MSaUqMg https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w2xPt8txgGs
  • I only said that because I assumed you were a good guy and not wanting to insult anyone. I was wrong I guess. And yes, actually I *am* Barack Obama. I just post here to relieve stress when all the liberals are trying to shut down my conservative agenda.
  • Can you make a "real" phone call with any other tablet? Without a phone tether? Not trolling, just asking. Sent from the iMore App
  • @durfmobile: Not yet. AFAIK Apple would be first if they ever enable it. I'm just tired of waiting for this. I guess I bought into all that BS back when iPhone and iPad were introduced about how they were going to change the industry, upset the Apple-cart, etc. Yet here we are seven years later, and the phone companies are still robbing us blind for data, you still have to have a "phone" to make all the iOS devices work properly etc. I hardly use a phone. No one I know uses a phone except to get maybe one call a month from your Mum and a bunch of SPAM from phone-spammers. I just want to be able to get rid of my f-ing phone and only carry the iPad mini which is my main computing device. It would seem a no brainer since my iPad has a SIM slot and my iPhone has a SIM, but ... I'd also like to get rid of the pens and paper I carry around with me constantly, which is something that Apple hinted would be possible with the very first iPhone. Sadly, except for messy finger-painting apps, this is also not possible seven YEARS later. It would be trivial to add these things for Apple, it would give people many more options, and a greater ability to use the devices, but for whatever reason, they apparently think that putting out an almost identical device to last year's is an okay thing to do. Especially with the iPad mini, the design hasn't changed an iota. This year it will apparently have TouchID and that will be the only real functional change since it's debut. Most folks can't even tell the retina mini from the previous mini, they are that identical.
  • You can use the Google Hangouts app.
  • A stylus?
    http://youtu.be/4YY3MSaUqMg
  • Any others did what in the past year? Exactly
  • New Apple TV , Mac Mini , iPod Touch I hope cuz it's been way too long indeed
  • I hope we do see a next gen iPod touch! I've noticed that walmart has been cutting the prices on them, idk if that has anything to do with it, but who knows. Sent from the iMore App
  • Same- gimme the damn Mac mini & AppleTV.
    -
    I don't need iPod touch personally. I imagine the iPad mini has cannibalized the iPod touch, even with a $200+ price difference. we'll see. Sent from the iMore App
  • Your totally right. I think it killed the ipod also, but I am just a fan of seeing classic products that helped a company form its shape to continue on. It made me upset that the iPod classic was discontinued Sent from the iMore App
  • Absolutely! "Way too long" made me immediately think of ATV, Mac Mini, & Ipod Touch. I'll bet they're all updated this month.
  • I still remember when it was huge news when the iMac went from CRT to flatscreen. I'm old.
  • Lol. I hope they won't announce ipod touch, cause I bought one recently.. Posted via the iMore App for Android
  • you recently bought an iPod touch? but you posted this from an android device? you fraud
  • Could be he has more than one device!! Posted via the iMore App for Android
  • Exactly! Posted via the iMore App for Android
  • Maybe he bought one for his kid.
  • Why don't you ask Mobile Nations why they made iMore app for Android?? And yes people can and do have more than one device. You are stupid. Posted via the iMore App for Android
  • I noticed after the iPhone I really don't pay attention to apple news that much. Although I want the Apple pay, and Yosemite to release. Other than that... A gold iPad, Touch ID, 128gb iPad..... Newer iMac with retina....I really hope apple pay isn't supported on the iPad for stores. I will make fun of you if you bring your iPad or iPad mini to Macy's during Christmas shopping this year Sent from the iMore App
  • Yeah I feel like paying with an iPad is just silly/unnecessary. Maybe Apple Pay for online purchases but in reality it just isn't practical. Sent from the iMore App
  • does apple pay require your device to have an internet connection?
  • I wonder the same. The only thing I can think of why you would need Internet connection at the moment of transaction would be the algorithmically created unique one-time CVV. But that could be date/time based (also involves your unique device ID + CC#, I think), so it technically doesn't need Internet.
    -
    Also, if you are at a merchant with an ApplePay compatible POS machine, you'll likely be within cellular range. Assuming you're using you phone.
    -
    ApplePay via NFC on iPad is a stupid idea. But they could implement the online only version of ApplePay (Target.app) Sent from the iMore App
  • It's difficult to see what they will do here. On the one hand, ApplePay makes more sense on the Watch than on the iPad, but If it needs connectivity, then you would still need the iPhone in the mix, and if that's true, then why put it on the iPad at all? I know everyone hates me for bringing it up, but if the iPad had a phone in it, then the Watch would work with both and everything would be simple and rational. A consumer could pick which device they want and go with it. They could also use the new Watch with either. It's so simple, but Apple isn't (seemingly) doing this. The fact that the largest group of folks that are interested in stopping you have a phone in your tablet, or moving your SIM back and forth between multiple devices is the phone companies, and that Apple has purposely not upset the phone companies and basically "toed the line" with them all this time is suspicious to me. Let's have a real revolution instead.
  • I think having Apple Pay alongside the iPad/Watch combo is okay but still a little impractical to me. It's like having a Mac with Touch ID (though I wouldn't be surprised if Apple implemented some version on next gen Macs). Sent from the iMore App
  • Lol! I'm gonna be makin fun too!! Lmfao Sent from the iMore App
  • Something to do with Apple TV please. Update long overdue Sent from the iMore App
  • I would like to update my iPad mini this year, but sadly i can't justify a new iPad air quite yet.
  • Perhaps Cook shaved his head and wants to show it off?
  • Been waiting for an update to Apple TV before buying one since it's not too urgent of a need. Hope to see one. Would also love TouchID on the iPad but having just bought an iPad Air last year not sure it'll have enough additional updates to sway me to get a new one. New Mac mini would be interesting to see as well. Sent from the iMore App
  • "It's been way too long" huh? New iPods?
  • Thats what I in initially thought. But I don't put much effort in decrypting their stupid little codes.
  • Recent reporting suggests that a Retina iMac may make an appearance, though if it will launch soon after is unknown." Apple almost never delays much between announce and release for new models. New products, yes, to avoid supply chain leaks (iPhone, Watch), but not new models. The Retina iMac feels like it wants to use the new chips from Intel releasing next year, though... iPads will be incremental updates.... TouchID, new CPU, slight design updates. They don't really need to be compelling updates from last year - last year's were the big leap in lower weight and a power jump. I'd like to see a new ATV with apps installable (the current ATV is OK in that it's 1080p) and with Continuity features (Playing a video on Yosemite or an iOS 8 device? flick it to the ATV even more easily than Airplay).
  • I'd love to see a new Apple TV, it has been way too long. I'd also like to see Touch ID implemented on the iPad as well as the Mac and MacBooks. There could be a lot of usefulness there. Not really sure we are going to see much at this event though! Sent from the iMore App
  • How about new iPods? It's been a long time since we seen new redesigned iPods.
  • "Way too long" is clearly hinting at the iPod Touch. I don't see new Apple TV hardware.
  • That's a white Mac Mini with chamfered edges, of course... Sent from the iMore App
  • Good news! If you own an iPhone you can already take phone calls on your iPad thanks to handoff, there are plenty of third party styluses that you can buy, and last year with the iPad Air the iPad's bezels got a lot smaller! Sent from the iMore App
  • I just got my invitation!!! Oh, wait. Its an invitation to enjoy some Snapple in a cup with my cousin Tino. Sorry. My bad.
  • Something involving Touch ID makes sense...that partial logo also looks like a finger about to touch the touch ID indentation.
  • Ha! or force touch to the iPad? I hope there is Apple TV news and some additional Apple Watch information.
  • I see a nose and a slight frown in the two lines of the invite, as if it's someone saying "meh".
  • If they do new iPods it BETTER hold 160GB since they've gotten rid of the Classic. Still upset about that lol Sent from the iMore App
  • Hopefully a new Cinema Display, Apple TV, Mac Mini, retina iMac, and Yosemite release date? Posted via the iMore App for Android
  • Did they invite you guys? All the pro apple talk and defending them should definitely help get an invite. Sent from the iMore App
  • "its been way too long" since a new ipod touch
  • This is presumably a reference to the Apple TV, but it would be amusing if it was just a Mac Mini.
  • MY PREDICTION (based on no facts whatsoever): I think it's a complete refresh of the desktop computer line not including the Mac Pro. All iMacs will have retina displays, there will be a new Mac Mini that will include a Mini Mini. The Mini Mini will be a Mac Mini in the hockey puck form factor that the current Apple TV is in. There will be two Apple TVs: one will be the size of a deck of cards with three Thunderbolt ports and another as a USB stick (take that Chromecast). Apple will also release a 30-inch retina display. MY BOLD AND UNINFORMED "ONE MORE THING" PREDICTION: All new iPods. The old 5G Nano with the touch screen will replace the Shuffle except thinner. The iPod Touch will be a little bigger for the screen but thinner and lighter with 802.11AC wireless and a radio. The Nano will be discontinued. I am willing to take bets that I will be at least 80-percent right. My price is a tall, four-shot, skim, extra-extra hot latte. Any takers? :-)
  • I thought all the iPod guesses were way off, but the more I think of it, the recent killing off of the Classic might point to at least a refresh of the iPods in larger capacities. I don't think they will be going in Chromecast's direction at all though. Those things are for geeks only and there doesn't exist a market for them amongst regular rank and file consumers.
  • The next Isaac Asimov
  • define real phone call?
  • I want to take the SIM out of my (required) iPhone, I put it in my iPad, and have it work the same way. There would be an phone app on the iPad, just like on the iPhone. Ugly little green square with a phone icon on it. That's what I mean when I say "I want a phone on my iPad." Then I will take my iPhone to the centre of the nearest bridge and drop it into the murky depths for some future archaeologist to dig up.
  • then they would have to add cell tech into it and add $130 to the price, which would turn away a lot of people
  • Actually, no. The cell phone model already costs $100 more and the price differential on making it a true phone is maybe $5-$10 more than that.
  • with iOS 8 you can make phone calls on your iPad granted you have an iPhone in the first place. You can do everything on the iPad that you can do on an iPhone except make a phone call. They could add it no problem.
  • "It's been way too long" clearly refers to the iTunes re-write. The colors refer to a touch controlled iTunes... The graphics are in hi resolution, therefore a 4k touch screen monitor from Apple that you need to buy in order to use the new touch controlled iTunes. Hey, it could happen. :)
  • Apple TV? Sent from the iMore App
  • Way too long ....since we released a new iPod,
    since we refreshed Mac mini,
    since we seriously focused on our tablets i.e. iPad/iPad Pro,
    since we introduced a redesigned notebook,
    since we had done anything about Apple TV
    or instead it's simply "way too long since our last iPad presentation a year ago". Either way, The Mighty Apple acknowledges they were basically on vacation in 2013/2014 and now they're back at work. Expectations: all of those devices mentioned above (again).
    Predictions: new Mac Mini, new iMac 4k, new iPad Air with a fancy finger button and in gold colour, maaaaybe an upgraded iPod Touch. That's all folks, see you in 2015.
  • Ok Sent from the iMore App
  • Sounds like they will be releasing a "12 iPad.
  • "It's been way too long" could be referring to Apple TV... Been a while since there's been an update... Hopefully a new one! Sent from the iMore App
  • It'd be great to get an Apple TV where airplay works every time you try it.
  • I am hoping for a new iPod. That's been the item waiting for a refresh. And since they killed off the Classic, one would hope that means a new iPod touch with maybe even double the memory of 128. It would be the perfect replacement for killing off such a beast for music storage. Also more color options and also a choice in sizes. Since I got a plus, I don't need an iPod this size! lol Sent from the iMore App
  • Apple TV. Has to be! or Mac Mini refresh. To my knowledge they are the 2 devices that haven't had a refresh for the longest?
  • iPads with Touch ID and color options. Mac Mini. Retina MacBook Airs and iMacs? Nothing here will be much more than a refresh; it's why it's being done on their campus. I think the iPod Touch is done being refreshed. Sent from the iMore App
  • They are going to announce ATV 4 along with the new iPads!!!
  • I think that it's really hard trying to satisfy the ever changing whims of a demanding public. Making do should be everyone's motto. I know the ipad is not cheap by any standard of the imagination- but it's okay to be bored from time to time. One does not have to be stimulated at every second of the day.