We had given up hope of a spring event this year, but Apple surprised us by issuing invitations to an event on May 7, 2024. So it turns out big things are brewing at Apple Park after all, and we We’re about to find out what they are.
In this article, we explain what you need to know about Apple’s May 7 event, how to watch it live, and what products you can expect to unveil.
Apple’s spring event is one of three or four big events in Apple’s annual announcement cycle. We get the big software announcements at WWDC in the summer, the iPhone launch in September, sometimes we see Apple make Mac and iPad announcements in October or November, and (most years) we get hardware reveals at of a spring event in March or April. . At these events, Apple executives take the stage – whether real or virtual – and brag about some recent successes, before revealing new products about to be launched. For more details on the Apple event calendar, read When is the next Apple event?
When the event begins, you will be able to watch it here:
When is the Spring Apple 2024 event?
Apple has confirmed that it will host an event on Tuesday, May 7, starting at 7:00 a.m. PT.
Although the date is much later than previous “spring” events, it is quite common for Apple to hold events (other than WWDC) on a Tuesday or sometimes a Wednesday.
What time will Apple’s May 7 event start?
Apple events usually start at 10 a.m. local time (California), but this time the event starts at 7 a.m. Pacific Time.
Here is the time in various locations around the world:
- United Kingdom: 3:00 p.m. (BST)
- Central Europe: 4:00 p.m. (CEST)
- United States: 7 a.m. (PT), 8 a.m. (MT), 9 a.m. (CT), 10 a.m. (ET)
- Canada: 7 a.m. PT, 8 a.m. MT, 9 a.m. CT, 10 a.m. ET
- India: 7:30 p.m. (IST)
- Singapore and China: 11 p.m.
- Japan: the next day at 2 a.m. (JST)
- Australia: 11:00 p.m. (AWST), 11:30 p.m. (ACST), midnight (AEST)
- New Zealand: the next day at 2 a.m. (NZST)
Apple events typically last between one and two hours.
What is the slogan of the spring event and what does it mean?
The slogan is Let Loose, a phrase that suggests freedom, perhaps the idea that creativity will be unleashed.
The image accompanying the invitation is of an Apple Pencil drawing, so a new iPad line and a new Apple Pencil are expected. Learn more about the new products expected at the event below.
The date (May 7) and time (7 a.m.) may also be relevant. If Apple updates the 12.9-inch iPad Pro and iPad mini, they will both be 7th generation models.
What will Apple announce at the spring event?
We saw Apple announce the MacBook Air M3 via a press release. So what could be next?
iPads need an update. This is the only product category that hasn’t been reviewed at all in 2023. Not a single Apple tablet has been updated. A new batch of iPads is therefore expected, including a new iPad mini and an iPad Air (the latter could have a larger screen option). An 11th generation iPad and an iPad Pro update, also with a screen size adjustment, could also arrive in the spring, although we may wait a little longer for them. A new Apple Pencil is also expected to launch soon.
Now the MacBook Pro, iMac, and MacBook Air offer the M3 (and M3 Pro and M3 Max in the case of the MacBook Pro), but what about the Mac mini? This Mac will surely be updated soon.
We also got to see some updates to Home products. There have been rumors about a faster version of the Apple TV, a HomePod with a screen, or a product that combines both products. Speaking of music, we might also see new AirPods – including a cheaper model. Read the AirPods rumors.
We might also get a date for the Vision Pro’s availability outside the US. According to analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, the Vision Pro is expected to launch outside the US before WWDC 2024, which will likely take place in June. Speaking of which, we’ll probably wait until WWDC in June for the Mac Pro and Mac Studio update.
How to watch Apple’s spring event live
The best way to watch would be to get an invitation to attend in person, but most of us won’t be that lucky. Luckily, Apple will also stream the presentation live so everyone can watch it.
The first place to try is right at the top of this article, where we’ve embedded Apple’s YouTube feed. You can also watch on Apple’s events page, which will broadcast the live stream overnight. Indeed, the main Apple.com home page is expected to be covered extensively during the presentation.
If you have an iPhone, iPad, Apple TV, or Mac (assuming the device has sufficiently up-to-date software), you can watch the stream on the TV app. PC owners can also watch the video, but will need to visit Apple’s site as mentioned above.
Once the event is over, it will also be available to rewatch in the Podcasts and TV apps, as well as on Apple’s website.
The company has occasionally experimented with streaming ads on its social channels. although we don’t expect him to repeat the strategy this time around.
Finally, Apple has hosted broadcast events in Apple Stores for certain events in the past. So it might be worth contacting your nearest outlet to see if they have anything planned.
More information on watching the event here: How to Watch Apple’s ‘Let Loose’ iPad Event on May 7
What did Apple launch at last spring’s events?
Studying past behavior can help us predict what Apple will do in the future. Here’s what Apple announced at previous spring events.
- 2023: no events
- Tuesday March 8, 2022: (“Peek Performance”, virtual): new iPhone SE, new iPad Air, Mac Studio and Studio Display, and new color options for iPhone
- 2021, Tuesday April 20: (“Spring Loaded”, virtual): new iPad Pro and iMac, Apple TV 4K, AirTags, new color options for iPhone and iOS 14.7
- 2020: no events
- Monday March 25, 2019: (“It’s show time”): Apple Card and the News+, TV+ and Arcade subscription services
- Tuesday March 27, 2018: (“Let’s Take a Field Trip”): New iPads and Educational Announcements
- 2017: no events
- Monday March 21, 2016: (“Let us explain”): iPad Pro, iPhone SE and software updates
- Monday March 9, 2015: (“Spring Forward”): Apple Watch, a new MacBook and iOS 8.2
- 2014: no events
- 2013: no event
- Wednesday March 7, 2012: (“We have something you really have to see. And touch”): Apple TV 3rd generation and iPad 3rd generation
What happens at an Apple event?
Like most tech company launch events, it will feature both content and content. Expect some tiresome bragging at first; this can cover topics like operating system adoption rates, customer hardware reviews, and eco-friendly manufacturing policies. But Apple wouldn’t hold an event if there wasn’t something worth hearing about, and we’d have to make appropriate announcements within about 10 minutes.
Typically, you can expect several separate announcements at an Apple event.
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