Apple to Host March 27 Event in Chicago: 'Creative New Ideas for Teachers and Students'

[freezelighter]

Just give us a new iPhone SE X.
Price doesnt matter at all.
Just give us a new, normal-sized iPhone, not another sick and crazy huge phablet like everything since iPhone 6!

 

[MrGuder]

What about the next gen of airpods? I thought they were suppose to come out in 2018 and offer wireless charging case?

 

[007p]

What about the next gen of airpods? I thought they were suppose to come out in 2018 and offer wireless charging case?

The wireless charging case doesn’t have to come at the same time as the next gen airpods.

I think most are expecting the case to come when AirPower does.

I don’t think there’s been many rumors on next gen airpods yet.

 

[Kiorr]

Maybe the iphone se2 first will come in 2019!

it would make more sense, at that time all the new iphones (x&9) would be bezel-less, and it would probably come in the body of the 8 like they did with the 5s/se.
but im hoping for an update this year

 

[cfo314]

Found a pic of Lane Tech auditorium.

It's way nicer than when I used to go there!

 

[MrGuder]

The wireless charging case doesn’t have to come at the same time as the next gen airpods.

I think most are expecting the case to come when AirPower does.

I don’t think there’s been many rumors on next gen airpods yet.

Your right I assumed it would be another gen airpods but it might just be the case. Apples website says charging case in 2018 so I guess this can come at anytime? If I'm going to buy them why not wait for the charging case.

 

[cajun67]

Why not more iPad Pro’s (12.9” is best iPad), new Apple Pencil, new “budget” iPads, and maybe even new MacBook Pros for university students?

I think the pen drawing indicates iPad Pro updates, if Apple has any to make this year. Wouldn't make sense for Apple to have two separate iPad events this year, nor would it make sense for Apple to introduce the Pencil at one event and the Pro you can use it on at another.

 

[ipedro]

I wonder if we’re going to see plastic body iPads like the iPhone 5C. Aluminum and glass don’t stand up well to the abuse of slippery fingerings in classrooms.

Kids in particular will wear down computer equipment but any device meant to be used by thousands of people over its life cannot be fragile as the iPad is. Adding a case to a device that is destined for the classroom doesn’t make sense. It will never leave that case. Build the device to serve the environment it’s geared towards.

 

[Glmnet1]

I think the pen drawing indicates iPad Pro updates, if Apple has any to make this year. Wouldn't make sense for Apple to have two separate iPad events this year, nor would it make sense for Apple to introduce the Pencil at one event and the Pro you can use it on at another.

They did release the budget and the pro iPad at two different events last year.

I also doubt they will try to sell iPad Pros to high schools, it's way to expensive to compete with other alternatives.

As others have mentioned, I expect this event to introduce a new budget iPad with pencil and maybe smart keyboard support. They can then put FaceID, remove the bezels and upgrade the specs on the iPad Pro to keep the high price.

 

[robertosh]

Apple Pencil Pro confirmed.

With a rubber on top.

 

[Arty6]

Maybe they will finally have an answer to to Google....I am a teacher, and love Apple. But they are simply not an option for many schools....google is eating their lunch.

Schools need iCloud accounts with a lot of free storage, easy device management, cheaper devices (which the cheaper iPad will be), and the ability to have kids login to any iPad (which won’t come).

Multi-user support for iPads in schools has been around since iOS 9.3.

 

[ipedro]

My guesses for the event:

iPad C: a plastic shelled iPad in the style of the iPhone 5C. Inexpensive and durable. C stands for Classroom.

A new, cheaper iPad Smart Keyboard, compatible with the iPad C. Apple Pencil 2.

ClassKit and education focused third party apps that take advantage of the new APIs.

iWork update. Pages, Numbers and Keynote ClassKit improvements. Notably, collaboration amongst students and during teacher presentations.

Apple Books: rebooting Apple's book store adding better support for textbooks.

MacBook: I still think that Apple intends to have the MacBook take its place as the entry level Apple laptop, rather than continue selling an outdated MacBookAir. 3 years in, the MacBook could very well be close to ready to enter the $999 space. Remember, MacBookAir started off as premium priced and steadily lowered.

Then again, the MacBookAir is in a position to be priced even lower at this point. The question is, does Apple want to continue its push to make the iPad "a computer for the new generation" as its marketing suggests? In that case, the iPad C would fill that spot nicely at $250, far more affordable than a $999 laptop. After all, ClassKit is for iOS, not macOS. If iPad is the future classroom computer according to Apple, then what's the point of a engineering a competitively priced MacBookAir marketed at students?

Wild card: Partnership with leading digital classroom boards. It's important to integrate what's written on the board with what students and teacher see on their iPads. More radically, the board could be ditched altogether if the students can see on their iPads what the teacher is presenting on hers.
If Apple finds it important to maintain a classroom board, rather than design their own, they can update tvOS to include support for an Apple Pen or Apple Marker that can read what's on a digital whiteboard and transmit that via bluetooth to a connected AppleTV, allowing for writing and drawing on existing classroom screens.

 

[Abazigal]

Hmm. An updated swift playgrounds to help push sales of iPads? Makes sense that Apple would use software to help sell hardware, rather than engage in a race to the bottom.

 

[jimthing]

Is this even announced on the Apple.com website – I can't find anything on there about this event, strangely?

 

[@pple1799]

Is this even announced on the Apple.com website – I can't find anything on there about this event, strangely?

Hi jimthing, Good point. I am trying to find out if it is actually being broadcast live from the website also? Does anyone know?

 

[ksec]

It is all very confusing, there is yet another rumour saying that Apple are working on a 13.3” MacBook with Retina display

https://www.forbes.com/sites/brooke...ech-suggests-two-13-inch-models/#4198bc404d17

But where will it fit? Will they remove the Air and drop the 12” MacBook down OR could they drop the Air down to around $799 without a Retina display and keep it as a student budge laptop

MacBook Air - $799
MacBook 12” current price
MacBook 13” priced a little higher

This rumour of a 13.3” MacBook has been around for a while now (going back to last year) and with more recent reports I’m inclined to believe it, we don’t just have one report saying it multiple ones are.

https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/14-macbook.2019080/page-4#post-25819817

still waiting for that guy said 14 macbook is coming

 

[Dave245]

https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/14-macbook.2019080/page-4#post-25819817

still waiting for that guy said 14 macbook is coming

It seems more like it's going to be a 13" MacBook OR updated MacBook Air, only time will tell. There have been a few reports on this now not only the reliable Ming-Chi Kuo but also (the less reliable) Digitimes but also Mark Gurman and now Rhoda Alexander, something is happening just not sure if it's simply an updated Air or a new 13" MacBook version.

https://www.forbes.com/sites/brooke...ech-suggests-two-13-inch-models/#66bd100e4d17

 

[TheGenerous]

First time I'm not interested in anything Apple. Anyone else?

 

[lcseds]

First time I'm not interested in anything Apple. Anyone else?

Been that way for a little while. Luckily my 2013 MBP15 is running very well with the exception of some terrible image retention on the display. I would be interested in a 14 or 15 Macbook but knowing Apple they would cripple it badly to hit a price point. And then I would continue to wait.

 

[EugW]

Less than a week until the event folks!

---

As for Google eating Apple's lunch in education, from everything that I've read, it's not just about cheap Chromebooks. Google has a fully mature platform for education from the top to the bottom, and one that is easier to manage. Cheap Chromebooks are great, but the fact of the matter is the platform as a whole has been superior to what Apple has been offering, and they have free cloud storage for decentralized user data too. Very flexible. Apple has only recently been playing catchup, including with multi-user logins and improved management tools. MS is also trying to win back some edu customers with improvement management tools, but like Apple, they're playing catchup to Google here.

Four or five years ago, Apple was roughly half of primary and secondary school education. HALF! As of last year Google was about 60%, and Apple was less than 20%. Ouch.

https://www.nytimes.com/2017/03/02/technology/apple-products-schools-education.html?_r=0

BTW, I'm in agreement with the article that iPads aren't really the best option for secondary school students. While they're fine for primary school students, older students need proper keyboards. Fortunately for Google, Chromebooks include the keyboard. This is the reason why MS is now pushing cheaper Windows laptops for education, and not Windows tablets.

 

[Dave245]

Less than a week until the event folks!

---

As for Google eating Apple's lunch in education, from everything that I've read, it's not just about cheap Chromebooks. Google has a fully mature platform for education from the top to the bottom, and one that is easier to manage. Cheap Chromebooks are great, but the fact of the matter is the platform as a whole has been superior to what Apple has been offering, and they have free cloud storage for decentralized user data too. Very flexible. Apple has only recently been playing catchup, including with multi-user logins and improved management tools. MS is also trying to win back some edu customers with improvement management tools, but like Apple, they're playing catchup to Google here.

Four or five years ago, Apple was roughly half of primary and post-secondary education. HALF! As of last year Google was about 60%, and Apple was less than 20%. Ouch.

https://www.nytimes.com/2017/03/02/technology/apple-products-schools-education.html?_r=0

BTW, I'm in agreement with the article that iPads aren't really the best option for post-secondary students. While they're fine for primary school students, older students need proper keyboards. Fortunately for Google, Chromebooks include the keyboard. This is the reason why MS is now pushing cheaper Windows laptops for education, and not Windows tablets.

I wonder if we will see the cheaper MacBook or MacBook Air as an offering by Apple for the education market, the Air is popular with students I’m not sure how popular the MacBook is tho. Announcing just an iPad might not be enough, but if they give people the option by saying “you can now get the iPad for $260 or the MacBook or MacBook Air for $799 all the way up to around $1,299, by the way we are announcing a new 13” MacBook for those that want it” I think that would be better than just an iPad, choice is a good thing.

 

[jimthing]

Hi jimthing, Good point. I am trying to find out if it is actually being broadcast live from the website also? Does anyone know?

Yes, it is rather strange isn't it.

I literally searched the site, and AFAICT it's absolutely NOWHERE to be seen on there. Not even the newsroom section has any mention of the event on it.

Why do I get the feeling they're NOT going to broadcast this event...? Can @MacRumors confirm for us, please.

 

[chucker23n1]

It’s a private invite-only press event. Apple has been doing those a lot over the years. They may provide a live stream, and they may not. They will post to their newsroom when they have something to announce, i.e. after the event.

 

[ksec]

Less than a week until the event folks!

---

As for Google eating Apple's lunch in education, from everything that I've read, it's not just about cheap Chromebooks. Google has a fully mature platform for education from the top to the bottom, and one that is easier to manage. Cheap Chromebooks are great, but the fact of the matter is the platform as a whole has been superior to what Apple has been offering, and they have free cloud storage for decentralized user data too. Very flexible. Apple has only recently been playing catchup, including with multi-user logins and improved management tools. MS is also trying to win back some edu customers with improvement management tools, but like Apple, they're playing catchup to Google here.

Four or five years ago, Apple was roughly half of primary and secondary school education. HALF! As of last year Google was about 60%, and Apple was less than 20%. Ouch.

https://www.nytimes.com/2017/03/02/technology/apple-products-schools-education.html?_r=0

BTW, I'm in agreement with the article that iPads aren't really the best option for secondary school students. While they're fine for primary school students, older students need proper keyboards. Fortunately for Google, Chromebooks include the keyboard. This is the reason why MS is now pushing cheaper Windows laptops for education, and not Windows tablets.

Yes, it isn't just about cheaper Chromebook. It is the TCO including everything else. They are now using Google Docs instead of Office, Google Drive etc. And it is all package into one sweet deal.

Due to whatever reason ( Likely relationship with Microsoft ), Apple lost the chance to have Numbers and Pages take over the market.

 

[jimthing]

It’s a private invite-only press event. Apple has been doing those a lot over the years. They may provide a live stream, and they may not. They will post to their newsroom when they have something to announce, i.e. after the event.

Yes, but they over the last few years they've always broadcast all press events, AND always mention any event in a press release (that also appears on the newsroom page on Apple.com).

So why haven't they done that now?

None of these have anything about 27 Mar event:
homepage: https://www.apple.com
events: https://www.apple.com/apple-events
newsroom https://www.apple.com/newsroom
edu: https://www.apple.com/education
...

EDIT:
Macworld UK says this:

Apple's spring 2018 event
Apple has sent out invitations to a number of education-focused events on 27 March. There's one at a school in Chicago, and we know there's another happening somewhere in the UK on the same date, but we haven't got the details of that yet.

So it's actually more than one event (unconfirmed all locations?). Making video unlikely, unless they satellite into one centralised location...?