The Apple online store is currently down for “scheduled maintenance.” The downtime is increasing expectations that the company will announce new hardware later today, possibly the much-rumored new iPad Pro models and possibly a 128 GB iPhone SE or a red model of the iPhone and iPhone 7 Plus.
While Apple traditionally holds a media event to debut new products, it hasn’t scheduled one for today. This indicates that if and when there is a new product announcement, it will be via a press release. Another indication of a press release is that Apple’s online store is scheduled to come back up at 5:30AM Pacific Time, which is when Apple traditionally posts press releases.
The rumors flying during this most recent rumor season indicate Apple is about to release updated 9.7-inch and 12.9-inch models of the iPad Pro. A 128 GB iPhone SE and red models of the company’s flagship iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus handsets have also been rumored.
Also rumored is a 10.5-inch iPad Pro with slimmer bezels that allow an edge-to-edge display. Such a significant update would likely be worthy of a media event unveiling, so it may possibly debut at an event later this Spring, or be unveiled at WWDC 2017 in June.
We’ll know what Apple has planned for the Apple Online Store in less than an hour, so hang in there.
