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Apple Event: How to watch and what to expect

By Scott T. Smith
Apple is expected to introduce a new line of MacBook Pro laptops that feature a contextual "Magic Toolbar" touch strip.
Apple is expected to introduce a new line of MacBook Pro laptops that feature a contextual "Magic Toolbar" touch strip.

Apple is well known for keeping details of its product launches under wraps, but looks like this time there's an October surprise.

The cat appears to have been in the bag with a hidden camera available to anyone who downloaded the new macOS Sierra 10.12.1 software released Monday. MacRumors dug through the release and found an aluminum nugget, confirming with new details what respected Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo at KGI Securities reported months ago.

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RELATED Apple Event: Live updates as new MacBook Pro expected

Buried in the code are hidden images depicting, as predicted, a new MacBook Pro laptop. But among other intriguing details, it shows a finger touching the previously rumored "Magic Toolbar" OLED touch panel and an Apple Pay fingerprint prompt on the screen. This would streamline the often cumbersome process of paying for online purchases. The touch strip appears to be contextual, offering different functions based on what app is being used. Think of the Magic Toolbar as a sort of short and wide iPhone screen embedded above the keyboard.

The unearthed MacBook Pro image (the 13" is shown) also has what appear to be upgraded speakers on either side of the keyboard. Otherwise the design is in keeping with the current look of the existing MacBook Pro. There are rumors that they will be offered in colors instead of the single silver-gray aluminum shell. Look to the latest iPhones for the potential color palette.

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There were no side-view images of the new Pro, but it's been speculated that the new laptops will be thinner and lighter and will streamline and jettison peripheral and power ports, eliminating the HDMI, MagSafe and SDI card ports in favor of four USB-C ports and, yes, a headphone jack.

In addition to a major update to the MacBook Pro line, which was an unusually long time in coming, the MacBook Air and iMac could get refreshed – perhaps iPads as well.

There's likely to be more. As any Apple Event aficionado knows, there's often "one more thing."

WHAT: Apple Keynote Event

WHEN: 1 p.m. Eastern (10 a.m. Pacific), Thursday, Oct. 27

HOW TO WATCH: The keynote will be streamed live here and UPI will provide regular live updates on UPI.com.

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