As was widely predicted, Apple has sent out invitations to a special event on 14 September. This is expected to see the launch of the all-important new iPhone models for 2021, as well as (probably) a new Apple Watch and (maybe) a new set of AirPods.
The event will take place at 10am PDT on Tuesday 14 September, which translates to 6pm UK time or 7pm through most of Europe. It will be entirely virtual: no journalists will be able to attend in person, and we will all be watching online, same as you.
Followers of the company love to interrogate its invitations for clues about imminent announcements: details of the artwork, and particularly the tagline of the event, frequently hint at what Apple is going to talk about.
But the tagline of this invitation, at least at first glance, appears uninformative on that score. The phrase California Streaming works as a pun on the Mamas & Papas song and a description of the virtual event itself, which will be streamed from Apple’s headquarters in the Golden State (at least nominally: it will be prerecorded, and some may have taken place in studios and visual-effects labs elsewhere).
Could it also refer to news about an actual streaming service – updates related to Apple Music and/or Apple TV+? Quite possibly, but neither of those are likely to form the centrepiece of the event.
Instead, the guest of honour will be the iPhone 13 (and its siblings the iPhone 13 mini, 13 Pro and 13 Pro Max). The Apple Watch Series 7 is likely to make an appearance, but following production difficulties it may either go on sale later than the new iPhones, or be pushed back to a later event altogether.
We are hopeful, too, that the new AirPods will be announced, having lain fallow since their launch in March 2019.
Join us on the night for analysis of all the announcements as they happen. Here’s how to watch the event live.
Author: David Price, Editor
David has loved the iPhone since covering the original 2007 launch; later his obsession expanded to include iPad and Apple Watch. He offers advice to owners (and prospective owners) of these devices.