EXTRA! EXTRA! Last-Minute Apple Event Newsbits

While it seems it’s never too early to begin circulating rumors about an Apple product, it’s also certainly never too late to publish a few quick tidbits, right up to the opening of today’s event.

9to5Mac has published a few new tidbits, including the alleged starting capacity and pricing for the “iPad Pro,” always-on “Hey Siri,” and some news about the new Apple TV’s iOS 9-based operating system.

Highlights include:

• News that the iPad Pro will have a base 32GB configuration, which will go for $799. The 64GB and 128GB models will sell for $899 and $999 respectively. LTE-capable models will run you an extra $130 more.
• Along with the previosly mentioned features and specs, the iPhone 6s will feature always-on “Hey Siri” functionality that doesn’t require the device to be lugged into a charger for it to respond.
• The Apple TV will operate on a new iOS 9-based operating system called “tvOS.” (MacRumors reports that Apple likely filed a trademark application for “tvOS” back in November 2014.) The new OS will include new iOS 9/El Capitan interface elements, with lots of pretty transparency effects and such. Periscope and Airbnb are reportedly developing apps for the new set top box.
• Apple may be partnering with some well-known fashion houses, and at least one of those partnerships could be revealed at today’s shindig. 9to5Mac says new Apple Watch bands, and gold color variations are a lock, so stay tuned.

In addition to what 9to5Mac reported, we also saw a tweet from Tech blogger Larry Greenberg in which he shared a picture of a (PRODUCT)RED Sport Band box on Twitter.

Big things coming today folks, as Apple is expected to debut their new iPhones later today, and alongside those, we also expect to see a fourth-generation Apple TV, the debut of iOS 9, and likely a new 12.9-inch iPad Pro and accompanying accessories, an iPad mini 4, as well as new Apple Watch bands, and possibly new finishes for theApple Watch.

The big event begins at 1PM Eastern/10AM Pacific, and Apple will provide a livestream of the event, which will be available to users of iOS devices, Macs, Apple TVs, and PCs. For those of you who can’t access the livestream, join us here at MacTrast, where we’ll be liveblogging the event, and reporting on all of the announcements following the event.