Apple Watch 6 set for September 15 launch

Apple said it will hold an online event on Tuesday September 15, where the company is expected to unveil its latest Apple Watch.

The event will be streamed from the company’s website starting at 10am Pacific Time (3am Wednesday September 16, Australian EST).

The technology giant usually organizes a slick hardware-focused show every fall from its Cupertino headquarters or another location in Silicon Valley. This event will be only online due to the Covid-19 pandemic. That follows Apple’s developers conference in June, which worked well as a virtual event.

The event announcement on Apple’s website doesn’t have its typical tag line that hints at what is to be announced. But the invitation to media says “Time Flies,” indicating the announcement is related to the Apple Watch, not iPhones.

The new iPhones won’t launch until October and will have redesigned cases, updated cameras, and 5G capabilities.

The new Apple Watch lineup will include a successor to the Apple Watch Series 5 and a replacement for the Series 3 that will compete with lower-cost fitness devices such as those from Fitbit.

Apple is also working on a redesigned iPad Air with an edge-to-edge screen, a smaller HomePod and the first pair of Apple-branded over ear headphones.

The smaller HomePod will help Apple renew its push into the smart home at a lower price, albeit with fewer speakers inside the device than the current model.

The company’s other product in development is called AirTags, designed for locating physical items, which will be equipped with a leather carrying case.

Apple also plans to announce the first Mac running its own processors, replacing Intel, before the end of the year.

The next updates to iPhone and iPad software are due to be released this month, with Apple Watch, Apple TV and Mac software updates coming in the fall.

The company’s shares have surged this year on rising demand of iPhones, iPads and other tech gear needed to work and study from home during the pandemic.