Bloomberg's Mark Gurman poured cold water on rumors of a special Apple hardware event supposedly scheduled for March 16, rumblings that began making the rounds late in the week on the back of unsubstantiated tweets.
Earlier this week, Twitter accounts "LeaksApplePro" and "FrontTron" claimed Apple was planning to release a new iPad Pro models, iPad mini and "AirTags" tracking hardware at a keynote event on March 16. South Korean publication Economic Daily News subsequently picked up and ran with the uncorroborated gossip in a report that has since been cited by numerous online outlets.
"LeaksApplePro" is not known to have insight into Apple's business and has in the past made erroneous claims pertaining to new products and launch timelines. "FrontTron," meanwhile, appears to focus on Samsung devices and is largely an unknown in the Apple world. While not a purveyor of inaccurate predictions like "LeaksApplePro," "FrontTron" has no track record in the field.
On Friday, Gurman, a well-connected insider with solid Apple sources, put the nail in the coffin and confirmed on Twitter that there will be no event on March 16. While he fails to specify when the company intends to hold its typical spring event, Gurman notes "AirTags" will not be released on the 16th.
The apparently false Twitter "reports" were likely educated guesses based on legitimate reporting and historical launch dates.
Apple is anticipated to introduce new iPad hardware this spring in lockstep with its annual release cycle. Multiple reports point to an announcement sometime in March, though that date could be pushed back due to lingering development and supply chain delays caused by the coronavirus pandemic.
Apple will not hold iPad Pro, 'AirTags' launch event on March 16