Apple ‘Hi, Speed’ event on Oct. 13 could bring iPhone 12, new Mac and more

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The Apple October event 2020 is officially on for October 13.
The theme of the 2020 Apple October event is “Hi, Speed.”
Photo: Apple

Apple just invited the world to an event on October 13. No agenda was announced, but there’s little doubt the star will be the iPhone 12, the first iOS device with 5G wireless networking. Apple hinted at the coming upgrade with the title of the event: “Hi, Speed.”

But a handful of other products might also be on the docket, including the first MacBook built around Apple Silicon rather than an Intel processor.

The Apple October event will kick off a week from Tuesday, at 10 a.m. Pacific. It will stream from Apple’s event page, which has already been updated to reflect what’s coming.

What to expect from the iPhone 12 event

Despite the singularity of name, “iPhone 12” is expected to encompass a collection of handsets, including the largest (and one of the smallest) yet. On the top end is supposedly the 6.7-inch iPhone 12 Pro Max, an increase in size from the 6.5-inch version of the iPhone 11. Leaks indicate the opposite end will be a 5.4-inch iPhone 12 mini.

Allegedly, the standard iPhone 12 will come with a 6.1-inch screen; an iPhone 12 Pro reportedly will pack the same size display. Both the large- and medium-size Pro models likely will come with lidar 3D scanners.

All four models reportedly will feature redesigned chassis and OLED displays. And, as mentioned, the handsets will become the first in Apple history with 5G networking capabilities.

Bring on the first Mac with Apple Silicon

At its Worldwide Developers Conference in June, Apple began the process of transitioning from Intel processors to ones designed by the Mac-maker itself. Craig Federighi, SVP of software engineering, said at the time, “We expect to ship our first Mac with Apple Silicon by the end of this year.”

Rumors about exactly what this first Mac will be have been flying ever since. Reliable TF International Securities analyst Ming-Chi Kuo predicted it’ll be a 13.3-inch MacBook. A less-reliable source says the first will be a 12-inch MacBook that’ll cost a mere $849.

The device might run on some version of the Apple A14 processor that’s definitely going into the iPad Air 4 and mostly likely the iPhone 12, too.

The Apple October event could serve as an ideal platform to unveil the first Apple Silicon Mac.

Apple October event could bring AirTags and AirPower, too

Rumors that Apple is prepping AirTags item-tracking tags have been circulating for more than a year, but several rumors point to these accessories finally coming this autumn. Users would attach AirTags to a keychain or other frequently misplaced items, making them easily findable with an iPhone.

Speaking of long-running rumors, there have been persistent unconfirmed reports that Apple is developing its own wireless charger. This will allegedly fill in the long-canceled AirPower.

Both these products might also see the light of day at the Apple October event.

New HomePods and AirPods Studio headphones?

Additionally, Apple reportedly plans to release new audio products in the near future. Rumors strongly indicate we will see Apple’s first over-ear headphones, possibly called AirPods Studio. Consistent murmurs about a smaller, less-expensive HomePod mini smart speaker continue to bubble up as well.

These audio rumors picked up steam this week, when Cupertino unceremoniously removed several competing products from Bose, Sonos and Logitech from Apple stores.

The Apple October event could find room to unveil these headphones and smart speaker too.

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