Apple Media Event Rumors Fly as Apple Watch and 12" Macbook Approach

[oobydoobydoo]

Multiple contrasting rumors are flying around about the new Macbook, and in my opinion it's because the Apple watch will probably not be available in quantity until March or more likely April.... but the new macbook air will be here sooner. It's my personal opinion that both rumors are correct, and we are looking at two events. Here are the two contrasting articles about rumors surrounding a Apple Media Event. One thing is sure: it's coming.


First this article was released...
http://www.macrumors.com/2015/02/04/apple-media-event-late-february/

Apple Media Event Rumored for Late February, Apple Watch and 12" MacBook Air Likely Topics [Updated]
Wednesday February 4, 2015 10:27 am PST by Juli Clover

Apple may be planning to hold a special event during the month of February, according to French Apple-focused website iGen [Google Translate] (via iDownloadBlog). The site's sources, which are often reliable, suggest that the event might take place during the last week of February, potentially on Tuesday, February 24.

The event may see Apple once again showcasing the Apple Watch, which is set to debut in April, and it may also see the launch of the 12-inch MacBook Air. KGI Securities analyst Ming-Chi Kuo recently predicted that the upcoming notebook will debut in March, which is in line with a late-February unveiling.

Rendering of the 12-inch MacBook Air by Martin Hajek

Apple's 12-inch MacBook Air is rumored to feature a new ultrathin design that does away with fans and introduces a revamped trackpad. It may include a low-power Core-M processor and it may be the first device to take advantage of the new reversible USB Type-C connector, which is much smaller and allows a USB cable to be inserted into a notebook in any orientation.

Apple may also use the event to unveil additional details on the Apple Watch, such as pricing and battery life. An event showing off the Apple Watch could explain why Apple has been asking some developers to have their apps ready to launch in the App Store in mid-February, as we reported last week. It's possible that Apple will use apps from these developers to demonstrate additional capabilities of the watch.

Though rumored, a February event is by no means confirmed at this point, and it is unclear what else Apple might cover in addition to the Apple Watch and the 12-inch MacBook Air.

Update 12:23 PM: Sources speaking to 9to5Mac have indicated Apple will not be holding a late February media event

Then this article came out, refuting the last one:
http://9to5mac.com/2015/02/04/dont-cancel-your-ski-plans-apples-not-having-an-event-in-feb/

Don't cancel your ski plans, Apple's not having an event in Feb.

Contrary to a report from the often-reliable French blog iGen.fr, Apple is apparently not planning a media event late this month to introduce the Apple Watch or other new products, sources tell 9to5Mac.

Several media reports picked up the rumor today, repeating claims that Apple has planned an event for the last week of February, perhaps February 24. The blog speculated that the event could also include the introduction of the in development 12-inch MacBook we revealed earlier this year.

While it’s highly likely that Apple will hold an advance event to officially launch the Apple Watch and begin preorders ahead of shipping, the actual date remains a question mark. The French report suggested that Apple could use a late February event to begin a major media push ahead of the Apple Watch’s release, informing developers about last-minute details pertinent to app development. Though Tim Cook has confirmed that the Apple Watch will ship in April during the company’s recent earnings call, the specific release date, pricing, and other launch-related details have been left ambiguous.

An event in February would have been a change for Apple based on recent years, though the last week of the month has often been when invites go out ahead of events held in early March. Apple’s last event in March was its new iPad and third-gen Apple TV event in 2012, while its last event in February was for the iPod Hi-Fi back in 2006.

All of these rumors flying, as well as the obviously approaching release of the Apple watch seem suspicious. I think something is coming in February, but in my opinion it won't be the Apple Watch. It does seem odd to have two events, very not Apple. We will have to see.

I would just like to have a discussion of Apple's product line vis-à-vis the Apple Watch and rumored 12" macbook air. In light of the recent revelations regarding Broadwell and Skylake, Samsung's falling profits, the upcoming Galaxy S6 and the extremely good performance of Samsung's new Exynos 5433 and 7420 I think there is much to discuss about Apple here and I would love some input from the forum members, many of whom have far more technical knowledge than me.

 

[Commodus]

Historical evidence makes it more likely that you'll see an event in March -- either just for the Apple Watch or with one or two extra things thrown in.

Look at iPad and iPhone introductions. Apple typically launches these devices on the Friday the week after the event. For an early April release to follow that pattern, Apple couldn't realistically hold a presentation earlier than late March. A February event would be very odd when you're looking at a minimum of 5-6 weeks before availability.

What I'm wondering is whether or not Apple will risk diminishing the Watch event with something else. I could see it stuffing in an "iPad Pro" or a 12-inch MacBook Air. However, it probably wants as much buzz as possible to center around the Watch, so it may limit those to a simple press release or until a later date.