Apple will hold a November 10 event to reveal the future of Macs (Update)

Update: November 3, 2020 (12:25 AM ET): Apple will launch three new MacBooks powered by Apple-designed Arm chipsets, according to a Bloomberg report. The publication’s sources suggest two MacBook Pros with 13- and 16-inch displays, and one 13-inch MacBook Air are ready to debut. There’s no mention of AirTags or AirPods Studio headphones, but we wouldn’t rule those out from making an appearance either.

Original article: November 2, 2020 (1:16 PM ET): Yes, Apple has another big product presentation in store — and it may be relevant even if you’re an Android fan. Apple has announced a “One More Thing” virtual event for November 10 at 1PM Eastern that will stream online through its website and likely YouTube.

The teaser image doesn’t provide much in the way of clues, but Apple hasn’t been shy about its plans for late 2020. The company already said it expected to launch at least one Mac using Arm-based “Apple Silicon” before the end of the year, and you’ll very likely see it at this event. Just what the first systems will be aren’t clear, although rumors have circulated of a new MacBook (either a 12-inch model or a 13-inch Pro) and a redesigned entry-level iMac.

It’s also reasonable to expect release dates for macOS Big Sur (needed for the first Arm Macs) and the Apple Watch-oriented Fitness Plus service promised for later in the fall.

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There may be treats beyond the Mac. Reports have long swirled of Apple-branded over-ear headphones that could make their appearance at the “One More Thing” event. If leaks are accurate, they would meld higher-quality wireless audio with the convenience of AirPods, giving you an alternative to (if not a replacement for) Beats offerings. While these headphones would clearly work best in the Apple ecosystem, they should support other platforms as well.

Rumors and Apple’s own code have repeatedly hinted at Tile-like AirTags item trackers, although leaker Jon Prosser claimed the puck-like devices might not arrive until March 2021.

Whatever Apple introduces at the event, it could have more of an impact than you might think. While the iPhone 12 series will clearly have the greatest effect on Apple’s bottom line in the near term, ARM Macs represent a major shift in Apple’s strategy. The tech giant is betting that it can not only compete against Windows PCs by using in-house processors, but pull ahead by offering battery life, form factors and possibly performance that might not be feasible with Intel- or AMD-based systems. If it’s successful, it could alter the computing landscape — or at least, help Macs stand out in a crowded field.