Apple exec teases ‘pro and tell’ launches next week

Apple marketing chief Greg Joswiak hinted on Monday, Oct. 19, that new products are coming next week, posting on social media that he "can't wait to pro and tell next week," MacRumors reported. The wordplay points to the MacBook Pro. Apple is expected to use the announcements to show its first touchscreen Mac, along with new M6 models and a redesigned iPad mini.macrumors.com

Apple has not said which products are coming. Rumors point to four devices: a MacBook Pro with an OLED touchscreen, an entry-level MacBook Pro with the M6 chip, an M6 iMac and an iPad mini with an OLED display, according to MacRumors.macrumors.com

A media event, not a keynote

Apple has invited members of the media to an in-person "experience" in Los Angeles on Wednesday, Oct. 28, starting at 10 a.m. Pacific Time. Press releases for the new products could come out at that time, according to MacRumors. The outlet said it does not expect a standard Apple event. Instead, reporters would get hands-on time with the devices, the same approach Apple used for its smart home launch earlier this month.macrumors.com

Bloomberg first reported that the launch would come "on or around" Tuesday, Oct. 27. People familiar with the plans also told Bloomberg that the M6 Macs will keep their current designs. The new iPad mini will reportedly get an OLED screen, a front camera moved to the landscape edge and a revamped speaker system, according to Bloomberg's reporting republished by Business Standard. Macworld reported that the plan could pair an online video presentation with the press event on Oct. 28.macworld.com+1

Possible Nov. 6 release

On his Power On podcast, Bloomberg's Mark Gurman said the new devices could go on sale Friday, Nov. 6, MacRumors reported. He pointed to a major floor reset in Apple Stores planned for the night of Nov. 5 into Nov. 6. Digital Trends noted that the date could apply to the new Macs, the iPad mini or both. Apple has not confirmed it.macrumors.com+1

Split MacBook Pro lineup

The redesigned 14-inch and 16-inch MacBook Pro models are expected to have a Dynamic Island and a "significantly lighter" design. They are expected to use M5 Pro and M5 Max chips rather than M6 versions, according to MacRumors. Gurman has said Apple will skip M6 Pro, M6 Max and M6 Ultra chips entirely, Tom's Guide reported. That would leave the M6 14-inch MacBook Pro as a separate model with the current design, creating what The Apple Post called an "unusually split MacBook Pro lineup."theapplepost.com+2

These would be Apple's second round of launches in October. On Oct. 13, the company held a "Welcome Home" event focused on the smart home, where it showed a new HomeView display, HomePod mini and Apple TV 4K, according to The Mac Observer.macobserver.com