Apple cancelling March product event over coronavirus concerns
Apple has cancelled its March product event which was set to see the introduction of its much rumored low-cost iPhone model and updated iPad Pro with triple-lens camera system, according to a source at Apple that spoke to Cult of Mac.
The source claims Apple has grown “concerned” about hosting a gathering at Apple Park, and because of this, plus “delays in producing two of the primary products” set to be announced during the event, the launch has been delayed indefinitely.
Yesterday, Santa Clara County, where Apple Park is located, announced a ban on gatherings of 1,000 people or more amid coronavirus fears. This has thrown plans for Apple’s annual World Wide Developers Conference into jeopardy and was no doubt a major factor in the apparent cancelation of its March event given the 1,000 seat capacity of the Steve Jobs Theater.
Alongside the release of new hardware, the event was also set to see Apple rollout iOS 13.4 to the public following its fifth developer beta instalment today.
“Why have an event when the products aren’t ready?” the source said. “It’s a pretty simple decision.” Apple has been facing production shutdowns in China amid a government enforced closure of all major manufacturing facilities in the country, with reports suggesting the production backlog caused by the closures may delay the launch of the iPhone 12 by “a few months,”.
Even with no event, Apple could choose to unveil these products in March through a press release, though the source says Apple will wait to see how the situation develops and how quickly production can get back on schedule.
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