2021-10-18T15:05:44.609Z

When it comes to design, it seems like many people want Apple to bring more color options to the new MacBooks, like it did with the iMac earlier this year.

“I want more color options, as unlikely as that might be, says Jess. “Why should the Air/iMac/iPad Air 4 get all the fun?”

Daryl, meanwhile, wants “the Apple logo on the back of these new MacBooks to either glow again or have the rainbow logo make a return. Just because.”

And John Loeffler, our US Computing Staff Writer, says “bring back the translucent colored plastic chassis!”

I think he’s joking. Well, I hope he is…

2021-10-18T14:45:13.855Z

Most rumors about the upcoming MacBooks hint at quite a radical redesign coming, but we won’t know what they’ll look like until Apple shows them off later today (hopefully). Still, some people online have been creating renders of what they think or hope the MacBooks will look like, such as these:

Could the new MacBooks look like those? Perhaps, it would certainly make them look more inline with the new iPhone and iMac designs.

2021-10-18T14:22:23.934Z

Well… look who’s awake!

2021-10-18T14:20:27.099Z

So, what does Daryl Baxter, our Software Writer, think Apple will show today, when it comes to macOS Monterey?

“I think Universal Control will launch as a ‘beta feature’ that users can opt into. The notch on the new MacBooks will most likely be hidden, thanks to the menubar now able to be displayed in other places:”

Having Universal Control as a beta feature will be a bit disappointing for some, as it’s easily one of the best new features coming with Monterey, allowing you to easily set up an iPad as a second screen to your Mac or MacBook, and use the keyboard and mouse of the Mac to control the iPad.

If it’s included as a beta feature, it means it won’t be fully functional, so there may be bugs and problems with how it works. Personally, I’d rather Apple held off including it until it was final, rather than including it early, bugs and all.

Daryl also thinks iOS 15.1 will launch ” on the same date as Monterey so that SharePlay can get its moment to shine. My spidey-sense tells me next Monday for this.”

2021-10-18T13:57:52.208Z

If we are indeed getting new MacBooks today, we should find out more about macOS 12 Monterey‘s release date. This is the upcoming version of  the operating system that Macs and MacBooks run on, and any new Mac devices announced today will likely launch with it pre-installed.

While you could download the macOS Monterey public beta for a while now, we’ve not heard when the software will actually release, so if Apple announces new MacBooks (and it’s very likely it will at this point), then it makes sense to also announce when macOS Monterey will be made available. As well as coming pre-installed on any new MacBooks, it’ll be offered as a free upgrade for compatible Macs and MacBooks as well.

2021-10-18T13:57:46.757Z

So, what does Jess Weatherbed, our Computing staff writer want from any new MacBooks today?

“1080p webcam please, for the love of god,” is her refreshingly frank response. From some of the rumors we’ve heard, she might be in luck!

2021-10-18T13:36:39.978Z

Wondering why you can’t buy an iPhone today? As we mentioned earlier, the Apple Store has been taken down in preparation for the event later, and that means for anyone who wants to buy an Apple device direct from Apple, you’ll have to hold tight. 

Tom Bedford from our phones team has put together a good explainer on why you can’t buy an iPhone right now with more details.

2021-10-18T13:26:08.350Z

One of the most persistent rumors surrounding the new MacBooks suggests that Apple may drop the Touch Bar from the 16-inch model. If you’ve not used it, the Touch Bar is a small, thin, display that runs across the top of the keyboard and shows context-sensitive buttons, depending on what app you’re using.

As you can see from the tweet below, these feature was rather divisive. Some people found it useful, while others felt it was a gimmick that simply made the MacBooks it appeared on more expensive.

I’m kind of torn about it. It did have its uses, but not enough to really justify it being there, so if Apple has killed it off, I wouldn’t particularly miss it, especially if it resulted in a cheaper, thinner and lighter MacBook Pro.

2021-10-18T13:26:04.126Z

Our Editor in Chief, Gareth Beavis, has high hopes for the Apple event:

“Today’s event could be seismic for Apple – the waves the M1 chipset caused were huge in the computing world and instantly placed Apple in the conversation for best internal hardware, so any upgrades here will increase that momentum. And with the holidays and Black Friday approaching, new AirPods will both give those that are desperate for improved sound something to wish for, as well as further reducing the price of the older tech, giving Apple two bites of the… well, you know.”

2021-10-18T12:54:39.335Z

While there’s a lot of excitement (especially from me) about the potential new MacBooks being shown off today, there’s also been rumors of new AirPods coming as well. 

Here’s what Olivia Tambini, our Audio Editor, thinks we could see today:

“We get our hopes up for an AirPods 3 launch whenever a new Apple event is announced – and so far, we’ve been disappointed every single time. Something feels different about today’s event, though – supply chain sources have even confirmed that the AirPods 3 will be unveiled today, according to industry analyst Dan Ives. We’re going into today’s event fully expecting to see the new earbuds, and we can’t wait to see how Apple has upgraded the AirPods for 2021. As for the AirPods Pro 2? We don’t think it’s super likely, but never say never…”

2021-10-18T12:11:15.816Z

Here’s what you’ll be faced with if you try to go to the Apple online store. I’m not sure how much of this is essential maintenance, and how much is just drumming up hype. After all, most companies can add new devices to their stores without having to take the whole thing down.

Still, it does help add to the overall hype of an Apple event…

2021-10-18T12:05:37.868Z

It looks as though the online Apple Store has been taken down ahead of todays event. If this is your first rodeo, don’t panic! Downtime is normal on the day of an Apple event, typically done by Apple itself rather than it crashing for nefarious reasons.

You can still get onto the site, but you’ll be directed to a holding screen that says: “We’ll be right back. Updates are coming to the Apple Store. Check back soon” if you try clicking on any of the available buying links. 

It’ll come back online likely in sections as products are announced during the event, or after the event has concluded. If you’re desperate to get your hands on some new AirPods 3 or a beefy MacBook Pro 16-inch then warm up your fingers to practice speedily adding to the basket – given the current global chip shortage, there’s no way to know if stock will be plentiful to avoid disappointing potential customers in the run-up to the Holiday season.

2021-10-18T10:41:12.466Z

Even though there are only a few hours until the event starts, we’re still getting plenty of rumors and leaks. The latest batch suggest the new MacBook Pro 14-inch and 16-inch laptops could come with seriously thin displays which could mean that come with an iPhone-style notch for the webcam.

That would mean these new MacBooks could be coming with quite a radical redesign, which is certainly a good thing. Apple has kepts its MacBook designs pretty similar for several years now, so we’d love a big redesign like the iMac 24-inch got earlier this year.

However, having a notch for the webcam may not be to everyone’s liking. I’m not entirely convinced about this rumor, but a few sources have now mentioned it. At least we won’t have long to wait to find out…

2021-10-18T09:34:44.766Z

Hello everyone! We’ve got another Apple event to look forward to today. We’ll bring you all the latest news as it happens in the build-up, and during, today’s ‘Unleashed’ event.

If you want to get yourself a little more in the zone, crank the volume up on your speakers for the 12 second teaser video (below) posted by Apple’s SVP for Marketing, Greg Joswiak.

There’s a strong hint that today’s announcement will be speed related, which falls in line with rumors suggesting we’ll see a more powerful version of Apple’s computing chip – currently dubbed M1X – in new MacBook Pros.