AppleInsider Staff
With just hours remaining before Apple executives take the stage at San Francisco's Yerba Buena Center for an event that is expected to focus on the Apple Watch, the company has re-added its "Apple Events" channel to the Apple TV set-top box and temporarily halted sales in its online store.
As with previous Apple briefings, the Apple Events channel features an updated icon that reflects the design motif the company has used for its press invitations and to decorate the Yerba Buena Center. Accessing the channel provides broadcast information adjusted for the user's local time zone, as well as a countdown clock and the ability to re-watch previous Apple events.
Preparations appear to be complete at the Yerba Buena Center, with the theater's entrance decked out in the same style and a series of barricades covered with black cloth erected around the perimeter. Fast Company's Harry McCracken also spotted a contingency of Apple Security personnel outside, guarding both the entrance and the temporary structure Apple built around back, which is likely to house a showroom.
Meanwhile, sales have been halted at Apple's online storefront. This often happens ahead of major announcements, with the company bringing the store down to adjust prices or add new products for sale; the latter may be the case today, with Apple expected to announce availability information for the Apple Watch during the event.
Apple CEO Tim Cook tweeted earlier this morning that he "Got some extra rest for today's event," sleeping in until 4:30 a.m. — Cook has previously said that he usually wakes as early as 3:45 in the morning.
Got some extra rest for today's event. Slept in 'til 4:30.
— Tim Cook (@tim_cook) March 9, 2015In addition to revealing more details about the Apple Watch, Apple is likely to discuss its Watch-related retail makeover, and could also take the opportunity to introduce speed bumps to its MacBook line or unveil its expected Retina display-equipped MacBook Air. The company might also discuss a revamped Apple TV or its rumored "iPad Pro."
Apple will provide a live stream of the event, which kicks off Monday at 10 a.m. Pacific, 1 p.m. Eastern, suitable for viewing on a recent Mac, iOS device, or Apple TV. AppleInsider will be on hand at the Yerba Buena Center and will bring live coverage from the venue.
Charles Martin
Malcolm Owen
Andrew O'Hara
William Gallagher
32 Comments
Cook was obviously making a joke since the time change was yesterday he actually lost some sleep.
Reminder to the UK: This event is at 5 p.m. GMT, not 6 p.m. GMT.
[quote name="SpamSandwich" url="/t/185117/apple-preps-to-spring-forward-with-apple-events-channel-on-apple-tv-shutters-online-store#post_2687763"]Cook was obviously making a joke since the time change was yesterday he actually lost some sleep.[/quote] He was probably up late prepping for the event. I have to wonder if we're getting more than the Watch today then? Sure, they could just be adding Watch to the store, but starting preorders a month early seems a little premature.
[quote name="TheWhiteFalcon" url="/t/185117/apple-preps-to-spring-forward-with-apple-events-channel-on-apple-tv-shutters-online-store/0_100#post_2687765"][quote name="SpamSandwich" url="/t/185117/apple-preps-to-spring-forward-with-apple-events-channel-on-apple-tv-shutters-online-store#post_2687763"]Cook was obviously making a joke since the time change was yesterday he actually lost some sleep.[/quote] He was probably up late prepping for the event. I have to wonder if we're getting more than the Watch today then? Sure, they could just be adding Watch to the store, but starting preorders a month early seems a little premature.[/quote] Maybe Spring Forward is a pun on the release of the Apple Watch. We were expecting it in Spring 2015, but it will be on sale today instead. Spring starts on March 20th.
[quote name="TheWhiteFalcon" url="/t/185117/apple-preps-to-spring-forward-with-apple-events-channel-on-apple-tv-shutters-online-store#post_2687765"] He was probably up late prepping for the event. I have to wonder if we're getting more than the Watch today then? Sure, they could just be adding Watch to the store, but starting preorders a month early seems a little premature.[/quote] IOS update, app demonstrations...