Online Apple store goes down ahead of iPad Pro and Mac special event

On attempting to buy an item from the Apple website, customers are greeted by the standard "Be right back" message and animated Apple logo. The landing page is identical to what was observed when Apple took the store down ahead of its iPhone XS, iPhone XS Max and Apple Watch Series 4 orders.

Apple's event, which will commence at 10am eastern time, is expected to feature a number of product updates and refreshes that will either be available to purchase shortly after the event ends or within a few weeks.

The main item expected to feature at the event is a refresh of the iPad Pro line, with the tablets thought to borrow design cues used by the iPhone X and later iPhone models. A large screen with thin bezels is anticipated, with Face ID introduced to replace Touch ID, and the ability to perform Face ID authentication in both portrait and landscape orientations.

A more recent rumor is the inclusion of a second-generation Apple Pencil, which is touted to be able to "change stroke properties by sliding along the side of the Pencil." It is also tipped to offer gestures for finger taps along with the sliding motion.

New Macs are also thought to be on the way, with rumors suggesting there could be a long-awaited refresh of the Mac mini on the cards. Revamped 21-inch and 27-inch iMacs are also touted, as well as a possibility of a MacBook Air redesign.

Apple is offering a number of ways to view the event feed, including Twitter. AppleInsider will be hosting its own live blog of the event, informing of what's happening, as it happens.

AppleInsider will be at the fall "There's more in the making" event, where we expect new iPad Pros, and maybe even new Macs! Keep up with our coverage by downloading the AppleInsider app for iOS, and follow us on YouTube, Twitter @appleinsider and Facebook for live, late-breaking coverage. You can also check out our official Instagram account for exclusive photos.