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Here’s what to expect from today’s Apple Watch and iPad event

Apple’s first keynote of the fall is here, but don’t get your hopes up for a new iPhone. Though the gadget maker typically announces its new family of smartphones every year in mid-September, coronavirus related production delays have pushed their launch into next month. Instead, the Cupertino, Calif.-based company’s Tuesday afternoon digital presentation will be …

Apple’s first keynote of the fall is here, but don’t get your hopes up for a new iPhone.

Though the gadget maker typically announces its new family of smartphones every year in mid-September, coronavirus related production delays have pushed their launch into next month.

Instead, the Cupertino, Calif.-based company’s Tuesday afternoon digital presentation will be dedicated to its Apple Watch and iPad Air.

If Apple follows its established naming conventions, expect it to release the Apple Watch Series 6. The new wearable will continue Apple’s quest to make its Watch a state-of-the-art health-tracking device. The Series 6 is expected to have a more powerful battery to support the introduction of a sleep-tracking feature, as well as an ability to monitor blood oxygen levels.

Apple also will introduce a new, cheaper Apple Watch — likely called the Apple Watch SE, according to Bloomberg — which will replace the Series 3 watch that it still sells. The SE is expected to have the same form factor and processors as the Series 5.

On the iPad front, Apple is believed to be introducing a major refresh of its iPad Air line. The Air — which was first introduced in 2019 and serves as the mid-point between the entry level iPad and the high-powered iPad Pro — will get a full facelift.

The next version of Apple’s popular tablet reportedly will get rid of the home button in favor of a design similar to that of the iPad Pro.

The all-screen design reportedly will only have a thin bezel surrounding the display. Rather than install FaceID technology — which is included in the iPhone 11 as well as the iPad Pro — Apple has built a fingerprint scanner into the iPad’s side button. It marks the first time that Apple has built a biometric scanner into anything besides the home button.

Apple may also introduce its forthcoming subscription services bundle, dubbed Apple One, at the event. The subscription package would tie together services like Apple News and Apple TV for a discounted price.

Tuesday’s event is Apple’s latest foray into socially distant keynotes after it held its annual annual WWDC developers conference virtually in June due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Apple’s 1 p.m. EDT keynote will be streaming on the company’s website.

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