Apple is seriously breaking with tradition this year, throwing fans and tech press alike a giant curveball as the month of September winds to a close without the company’s annual media event. But sit tight -- according to sources, we’ll probably see invites flowing to the media within the next week, with the big event scheduled for October 4.
AllThingsD is reporting that Tuesday, October 4 is the date Apple has penciled on the calendar for a media event, where CEO Tim Cook is expected to unveil… something. Rumors have been swirling that Apple is planning two iPhone models this year -- a spec-bumped “iPhone 4S” and an all-new iPhone 5 -- along with more modest introductions such as a white iPod touch.
Of course, nothing is set in stone until the invites hit reporters’ inboxes, but AllThingsD cites the traditionally semi-reliable “sources close to the situation,” whoever they might be. Those same sources claim whatever devices Apple will be introducing won’t actually be available until “a few weeks” after the announcement, so the rumors of an early October release of the iPhone 5 now appears in doubt.
That bummer news aside, AllThingsD points out that the bigger news of the event is likely CEO Tim Cook’s first presentation in his new role. While many have held out hope that Steve Jobs might make a surprise appearance at the event -- perhaps his own “one last thing” -- the report seems certain that Cook will want to be front and center at his first big solo outing.
“That said, sources said, he’s sure to have help from Apple lieutenants, such as marketing head [Phil] Schiller, iOS chief Scott Forstall and Eddy Cue, recently named SVP of Internet Software and Services,” the report concludes.
So, mark your calendars -- but, you know, with pencil, just in case…
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(Image courtesy of AllThingsD)
