Online Apple Store down in advance of 'iPhone XS' reveal event

As it does every year, Apple has taken down its online store in preparation for the unveiling of the "iPhone XS" and potentially other products later in the day.

The highlight of the event should be the "iPhone XS," a follow-up to last year's 5.8-inch OLED iPhone X with a faster "A12" processor and various other internal upgrades. It may have a new gold color option, and a 6.5-inch version that could be called the "XS Plus" or "XS Max." Also anticipated is a 6.1-inch, LCD-based "iPhone Xc," a cheaper alternative that should nevertheless share features like an edge-to-edge display and Face ID.

The Apple Watch "Series 4" will make its debut as well, gaining a larger display and a thinner chassis. The extra screen space should enable new watchfaces with more complications, and it's possible the device will add new sensors, such as one for EKG readings.

Updated iPad Pros should keep their current 10.5- and 12.9-inch sizes, but dramatically shrink their bezels, switching from Touch ID to Face ID in the process. As usual, a faster A-series chip and other improved internals will come in tandem.

New Macs are less certain, but talk has been that Apple could update its lower-cost MacBooks, perhaps adding a Retina display to the 13-inch Air. It may even finally update the four-year-old Mac mini, possibly rebranding it as pro hardware.

If nothing else Apple will reveal the release dates for iOS 12, tvOS 12, macOS Mojave, and watchOS 5. Also expected, are the launches of the AirPower charging mat and a wireless AirPods case.