While rumors have suggested Apple Inc. would host a launch event before the end of October, it is now official with the company sending out press invites for its event on Thursday, Oct. 27. The star of the show will likely be the MacBook Pro, which is due a much-anticipated upgrade.

Here’s a look at how you can live stream the keynote on an Apple device or Windows 10 PC. We also look at what you can expect to see at the event, including detailed rumors about the MacBook Pro, an updated MacBook Air, a release date for the AirPods plus some added extras.

How to watch

To ensure you don’t miss out on any of the exciting Apple news, once again the company will live stream the keynote for both Apple and Window users.

Below are the requirements for watching the live stream on Apple devices and Windows 10 machines. If you meet these requirements you can head over to the Apple event page at 10 a.m. PT on Oct. 27 and watch the launch of all the latest technology from the tech giant. Make sure you add the event details to your calendar now so you don’t miss out.

iPhone, iPad, iPod touch: You can watch via the Safari browser and will require iOS 7.0 or later.

Mac: You can live stream the launch presentation on your Mac if you have OS X v10.8.5 or later and Safari 6.0.5 or later installed on your machine.

Apple TV: To live stream the event, you will need a second or third-generation Apple TV with software 6.2 or later, or a fourth generation Apple TV.  

Microsoft: You can watch all the action if you have Windows 10 installed, using the Edge browser.  

What to expect at the launch

MacBook Pro

The main focus at the Apple event on Oct. 27 will likely be a new MacBook Pro and it’s rumored to be the most significant overhaul of the MacBook Pro lineup since 2012.  

There hasn’t been a shortage of rumors when it comes to what we can expect from the new MacBook Pro, here’s a look at them.

Design and display

The new Retina MacBook Pro will come in 13 and 15-inch models with rumors suggesting it will be both thinner and lighter than the current version, which currently weighs in at 4.49lbs (15-inch version).

Unlike the Retina MacBook and the MacBook Air it will not be tapered, but according to Bloomberg it will have “shallower curves around the edges.” The pressure-sensitive trackpad is also rumored to be wider.

The most significant rumor about the new MacBook Pro is the addition of a secondary OLED display touch panel above the keyboard, which will replace the standard function key row, according to Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo at KGI Securities. The OLED screen will display various keyboard shortcuts on an as-needed basis. For example, it may display media playback controls when iTunes is running, or cut and paste shortcuts when writing in a document.

The MacBook Pro is also rumored to include a Touch ID fingerprint sensor built into the machine’s power button, allowing you to sign in with your fingerprint rather than a password.  

Rumors, as well as code found in macOS Sierra, suggest the new MacBook Pro will come with USB-C ports only with Gen 2 USB 3.1 support, allowing for a transfer speed of up to 10GB/s, and Thunderbolt 3.

Under the hood

Both the 13 and 15-inch models will come with updated chips in the form of Core i7 Skylake chips. In addition, there are rumors that the MacBook Pro will also include more powerful graphics cards, with an option to get more performance with the “Polaris” graphics chip from Advanced Micro Devices Inc.

The new MacBook Pros will obviously run Apple’s latest operating system: macOS Sierra.

MacBook Air

While it won’t be the star of the show rumors suggest we could also see an updated 13-inch version of the MacBook Air. However, we could also see an end to the 11-inch version, as rumors suggest Apple will discontinue it. Changes are likely to be minimal though with the overall design staying the same, but rumors suggest the MacBook Air will get USB-C support.

iMac

Minor changes for the iMac could see it get USB-C ports, under-the-hood improvements and new GPU options from AMD.

5K external display

Apple could also launch a 5K external display with built-in GPU and a resolution of 5120 x 2880 pixels.

AirPods

At Apple’s iPhone 7 launch event the company announced the removal of the headphone jack from its latest flagship and subsequently launched wireless earbuds called AirPods. Since launching in early September, the AirPods are not yet available with Apple teasing availability late October. The event next week will likely announce when Apple users will be able to get their own AirPods.

Sources: MacRumors; Business Insider; 9to5Mac

Images via Apple