Apple’s October 13 “Welcome home” event is already different from the company’s usual product launches in more ways than one, with the location marking another break from recent Apple event tradition.
Rather than inviting the press to Apple Park in Cupertino, Apple is hosting its October 13 media experience in New York City’s Tribeca neighborhood.
Apple Park has become closely associated with the company’s biggest product launches, particularly its annual iPhone events, where invited media typically watch a presentation before getting hands-on time with new devices at the Cupertino campus.
The October gathering takes a different approach. Apple is describing it as an “experience” in Tribeca, rather than a conventional Apple Park keynote, and has not confirmed whether there will be a live audience presentation, a prerecorded video or simply product demonstrations for invited media.
The New York location also fits the narrower focus expected from the event. Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman has reported that Apple plans to introduce three home products: a new smart home hub with a display, a refreshed HomePod mini and an updated Apple TV 4K.
Apple has used off-site press gatherings before, particularly for launches that do not require a full Apple Park production. The company has previously combined online presentations with smaller media events in cities such as New York and London.
The choice of Tribeca could also give Apple more flexibility to stage the event around a home-style environment, which would fit the “Welcome home” theme and the products expected to be shown.
The Apple Post has rounded up what to expect from the October 13 event, including the rumored HomePad, HomePod mini and Apple TV announcements.
The Apple Post app will be the best way to follow the October 13 announcements as they happen, with breaking news, product reveals and the biggest developments covered throughout the day. Download The Apple Post for iPhone from the App Store.
Apple has not explained why the event is being held away from Apple Park, but between the unusual venue, earlier press start time and home-focused branding, October 13 is shaping up to look very different from a typical Apple launch.