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October Event preview – what to expect from Apple today

It’s barely been a month since Apple’s last big event, a September extravaganza in which it unveiled four new iPhones, two new iPads, and the latest Apple Watch. But if you thought Tim Cook and co. were done for the year, you’re sorely mistaken.

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At the time of writing, it’s just a few hours until Apple’s October Event starts, in which we’re expecting even more devices to be revealed. Apple’s September events come around like clockwork every year, but its secondary October events are less common – typically once every two years. That is it say, only when the company has something good to announce that a press release just wouldn’t do justice.

This year, it’s widely expected that the “something” will in fact be an all-new MacBook Pro running on the most powerful Apple Silicon chip yet. This “M1X” processor is likely to power 14-inch and 16-inch models of the popular MacBook Pro range, in an updated chassis that slims down display bezels while adding some important ports back into the mix.

Apple’s choice to cut down on ports for the MacBook Pro range – which currently offers nothing but USB-Cs and an audio jack – wasn’t a popular one with many pro-level consumers who were faced with an array of complicated dongles and adapters in order to use their gadgets. It’s also rumored that Apple will remove the Touch Bar, another controversial addition that hasn’t garnered many fans. So it will be very interesting to see to what degree Apple goes back on those changes, and what kind of marketing spin it puts on the U-turn.

We may also see another update to the Mac mini, Apple’s cheapest Mac that offers serious performance at a tiny price. It’s been many years since the body of the Mac mini changed, but leaks report that a plexiglass and aluminum redesign is ready to unveil.

This may also be the day we see the long-rumored AirPods 3, an evolution of the popular wireless earbuds that is said to add replaceable ear tips in addition to a slight redesign.

To watch the event live, head to apple.com/apple-events, Apple’s YouTube channel, or the Events section on an Apple TV.