Apple has made it official that the company is indeed holding an event in San Francisco on Sept. 12 at 10AM PT at the Yerba Buena Center for the Arts. Historically, the Cupertino tech giant has launched all its new products at this venue.
Apple sent invites for the press event on Tuesday, Sept. 4. The invite gives a clear indication that the most-rumored device of this year, iPhone 5, will be launched at the event.
"It's almost here," says the invite. The text has been placed above a large "12," which casts a shadow of the number "5," suggesting that the iPhone 5 is finally here.
Rumors about launch of iPhone at the event had been steadily gaining momentum and with this invite, Apple somewhat confirms the release of the next-generation iPhone.
Earlier, reports claimed that Apple will not only launch iPhone 5, but will also unveil the iPad Mini and iTV. However, recent reports rejected the claim suggesting that Apple may choose to organize two different events to launch the biggies.
Tech Web site AllThingsD, citing Daring Fireball's John Gruber's recent post, reported that a marketing savvy company like Apple will not be unveiling its two big products at one event as that may dilute the attention that each of the products deserve. Gruber said that he believes the company will first unveil the next iteration of its most-awaited iPhone at an unnamed event scheduled to be held on Sept. 12 and then, in October, it will release the new version of the iPad dubbed the iPad Mini. He also noted that Apple organizes its traditional "music event" in the first or second week of October and the company had been releasing its new iPods for the last decade at that music event. This time, Apple may launch the iPad Mini, predicts Gruber.
"I don't think Apple would want reviews of both a new iPhone and new-size iPad appearing at the same time," Gruber wrote. "Why share the spotlight? Why have another Apple product battling with the iPhone for the top spots in news coverage? ... The more I think about it, the less sense it makes for the iPhone to even share the stage at the announcement with any other product. The iPhone is too big, too cool, and garners too much attention - and it's in Apple's interest to keep that attention undiluted."
As far as the iTV is concerned, Fortune reported that Pacific Crest's senior research analyst Andy Hargreaves, in his note to clients on Aug. 24, said that Apple's TV is "unlikely in the near term." Hargreaves announced this after his meeting last week with Apple's senior VP for Internet services and software, Eddy Cue.
Reports suggest that the pre-order for the iPhone will begin on the same day and the actual date of release will be Friday, Sept. 21.
