iPhone 8 launch event tonight: 9 announcements we expect from Apple

Today’s the big day as Apple CEO Tim Cook will take to stage at the brand new Steve Jobs Theater to announce a slew of products. While there is no denying that the next-gen iPhone or the iPhone 8 or the iPhone X will be the showstopper, what will also draw attention is the Apple Watch 3, Apple TV upgrade, and possibly a new augmented reality hardware. Here are the nine announcements we expect from the event scheduled for 10:00AM PDT (10:30PM IST).

New iPhone with ‘X’ factor

It is the 10th anniversary of Apple’s iconic product and we expect nothing less than one truly amazing phone this time. Call it the iPhone 8 or the iPhone X, it is set to be the most expensive iPhone in the history of the brand, likely to be priced around an eye-watering $1,000. And why not? There’s a glass sandwich design, reminiscent of the iPhone 4, along with a dual-camera module that first debuted with the iPhone 7 Plus, and not to forget some added frills such as an all-screen OLED display with all-black bezels, 3D facial recognition camera, and finally, support for wireless charging.

Successors to iPhone 7, iPhone 7 Plus

In addition to the special edition iPhone, there are most certainly going to be ‘more affordable’ upgrades to the current iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus lineup. Some suggest they will be called the iPhone 7s and iPhone 7s Plus – keeping with the company’s tradition of naming its phones, while others indicate they will be simply called the iPhone 8 and iPhone Plus.

Apple Watch to get smarter

It is known that wearables are the next big thing in consumer technology and smartwatches are picking pace. In a bid to advance its push in the health segment, Apple is set to introduce the Apple Watch 3 or Apple Watch Series 3 in a new avatar that will not only show you the steps you have taken and the calories you burnt, but also be capable enough to monitor blood glucose levels (read no more painful needles). What is also going to set apart the new smartwatch from its predecessors is the rumored support for LTE connectivity. The Apple Watch with LTE will essentially allow you to leave your paired iPhone behind, and still be able to take calls on your smartwatch while you are out for a jog. Rumors also hint at a tweaked design, and new colors.

4K comes to Apple TV

Companies are now moving towards original content, and in order to support the newer formats, there is a need for better hardware. At the iPhone event, we might also see the new Apple TV. The current model dates back to 2015 and since then, there has been significant change in the way content is produced and aired. For this, Apple is likely to add 4K and HDR video compatibility to the new video streaming box. In addition to higher resolution compatibility, there might be a new list of partner apps or services to go with the new 4K Apple TV. There are also reports about a redesigned remote for the box. Moreover, there could be HomePod and Siri integration with Apple TV.

Google Glass made by Apple?

Apple’s ARKit looks promising, and a supporting hardware would give it a huge push. As per patents, Apple has been already working on a standalone hardware for quite some time now. If Apple does feel it has perfected the technology, then we might be able to see a pair of augmented reality glasses, putting the ARKit to good use. There have been multiple reports about the specialized glasses using complex technology to allow the wearer absorb the surroundings in an immersive fashion. However, there have been zero leaks about a prototype device or even renders, so there are less likelihood of a final device showing up tonight.

All OS updates at once

With the new set of iPhones, there will evidently be an official rollout of the iOS 11, which will come bundled out-of-the-box for users. The iOS 11 packs tons of new features and brings improvements to the overall Apple ecosystem of iOS products. Right from the iPhone to the iPad, there will be something or the other for everyone.

From the iOS, to the watchOS; with the next-gen Apple Watch 3, there will evidently be a new software to go with the smartwatch. The new watchOS will get a new Siri watch face for contextual notifications, new branded watch faces, an improved Music app, along with Bluetooth connectivity for other compatible health gear.

With the new 4K Apple TV, there will also be an official rollout of the tvOS 11. To go with the higher resolution, the software will bring 4K wallpapers, support for widest color range available, and a possible update to the remote with Siri integration.

Bundled Pods

Because the Apple iPhone X is set to be the most expensive iPhone ever, the company might think of supplying its easy-to-lose but brilliant-to-use AirPods bundled with the phone. While some reports suggest that Apple will bundle the expensive earpods with all the new iPhones, it appears a slightly ambitious claim. As for the iPhone X, bundling the $159 AirPods would be a wiser decision as users will be already shelling out almost $1,000 for the special edition phone.

Delays

No Apple event concludes with the onset of delays. Ahead of the launch, fans have already started queuing up outside Apple Stores. However, according to analysts, there will be a very limited number of special edition iPhone when it is launched. KGI Securities analyst Ming-Chi Kuo said that Apple’s iPhone X production totals less than just 10,000 units per day, which means, the wait for getting your hands on the uber expensive phone will get longer than usual.

Steve jobs Theater

After the iPhone, the most exciting thing about the event will be an inside look of the Steve Jobs Theater at the newly constructed Apple Park campus. The 175-acre campus has been under construction since 2015, and is still incomplete. However, with a ‘spaceship’-like appearance, the campus is capable of holding up to 12,000 employees. The Apple event is the first-ever event to be held at the Steve Jobs Theater.

The company’s decision to hold the 10th anniversary event at the theater holds significance for two reasons – one the presentation hall is named after the legendary Steve Jobs who announced the first iPhone back in 2007, and second this year, history is set to repeat itself with features from the past and technologies from the future amalgamating in the special edition iPhone at the new campus.

The article originally appeared on BGR India