Apple is not done with events for the year just yet. The supply chain challenges led to the decision not to unveil additional hardware at last month’s iPhone 15 event. In previous years, Apple would have made these announcements through press releases, but this time, they’re holding a standalone event.
The company recently sent out invitations for “Scary Fast,” sparking rumors that this October event might finally bring the long-awaited release of new desktop processors. However, unlike previous events, this one won’t have an in-person component, making it significant news, but not substantial enough to warrant international travel.
This event also stands out with its timing. Instead of the usual 10 AM PT on a Tuesday, it will kick off at 5 PM PT/8 PM ET on a Monday night, just before Halloween. To keep up with the event, you can visit Apple’s events page or watch the stream on YouTube, albeit with a slight delay compared to the former.
As for what to expect this time, aside from the Halloween-themed name “Scary Fast,” it’s a clear reference to new chips. The silver Apple logo on the invitation and the AR effect that turns it into the Finder widget strongly suggest new Macs are in the spotlight.
The most likely stars of the show right now could be the new 24-inch iMac and a refreshed MacBook Pro, powered by the M3 and M3 Pro chips. There are rumors of a 32-inch iMac/iMac Pro, but that’s probably not coming until next year. Nonetheless, Apple appears ready to celebrate macOS Sonoma’s arrival with some fresh hardware.
There’s also room for some love for the iPad, with the Pro version being the leading candidate. However, the entire iPad line could see updates, and it might be an ideal time to introduce devices with USB-C connectors ahead of the holiday season. It’s been nearly three years since the AirPods Max were released, so they could be in line for an update.
Moreover, the event is likely to cover more than just Macs. The Vision Pro, which didn’t receive much attention at the iPhone event, could take center stage, especially with its imminent launch early next year. This would be a prime opportunity to showcase demos and introduce more content.