Apple March 27 event — news, leaks and what to expect, including cheaper iPad and new MacBook

APPLE has sent out surprise invitations to an event next week and the company is expected to show off some exciting new products.

APPLE is hosting a surprise event next week where it’s expected to unveil some shiny new gadgets.

There’s the prospect of a new, cheaper iPad and Apple Pencil that works with more of the company’s tablets.

And, if we’re really lucky, we may even see a new MacBook Air.

Here’s everything we expect to be announced at the education event in a week’s time.

APPLE’S MARCH 27 EVENT — WHAT TO EXPECT

iPads

An education event seems like a good place to announce a cheaper iPad aimed at schoolkids and students.

It also fits in with recent leaks and rumours, which suggest Apple is working on two new tablets.

The current 9.7 inch iPad landed around this time last year, so a new model could well be on the cards.

Analyst Daniel Ives of GBH Insights believes that an “entry-level” iPad is the one to look out for.

“Price points for the new iPad could be roughly $50 cheaper,” he told The Sun.

Apple Pencil 2

The Apple logo with its flowing lines in the event invite is pretty much a dead giveaway that a new Apple Pencil is imminent.

In its current form, Apple’s stylus only works with the Apple iPad Pro, so you can expect the next-gen version to be compatible with more devices.

That could include the new, cheaper iPad, too.

An attendee inspects the iPad Pro during the 2017 Apple Worldwide Developer Conference. Picture: Justin Sullivan

MacBook Air

Unfortunately, Apple probably won’t unveil a new MacBook Air — even though an education event seems like a fitting occasion for a laptop launch.

“We believe the chances of a new MacBook Air release next week are low,” Mr Ives said.

He continued: “Rather, WWDC will be the launching pad for a whole new product line from iPhones to iPads to new Macs.”

WWDC (which stands for Worldwide Developers Conference) is an annual Apple event, which takes place on June 4-8 in California.

Mr Ives added: “Next week we believe Apple will lay some breadcrumbs and hints for the major hardware releases that could be on the horizon in June which will be the focus for customers, and the rest of the Apple ecosystem.”

So, maybe the company will instead tease a MacBook on March 27.

The rumour mill suggests a cheaper version of the current 13.3-inch MacBook Air is in the pipeline.

iOS 11.3

In terms of software, the big launch could well be iOS11.3.

Apple tends to release software alongside new hardware, and the update is an important one.

That’s mainly down to the introduction of a new battery health tool. The feature lets you view how knackered your battery is, and whether the device is being slowed down.

Remember how Apple massively messed up by admitting that it throttles older phones?

Well, this is to make up for that.

This article originally appeared on The Sun and was republished here with permission.