Hints of new Apple products dropped ahead of Oct 22 event

Aside from a new line of iPad tablets, Apple Inc. may unveil this week several updates to its software too, an enthusiast site reported.

 

MacRumors said Apple may make its GarageBand software free but with in-app purchases, and introduce iOS 7-themed icons for its iLife and iWork apps for iOS.

 

"GarageBand will ... include in-app purchase content from Apple, with additional instruments and sounds available for a fee. Licensing fees associated with some of those sounds had been the presumed reason why GarageBand was left out the original move to make Apple's iLife and iWork apps for iOS free of charge, and it appears that the company has settled on in-app purchases as a way around this issue, offering basic functionality for free and then premium content through the paid upgrade options," it said.

 

On the other hand, it cited updates to the "Built-in Apps" page, hinting at new features such as photo books and prints for iPhoto and new "iMovie Theater" for iMovie. 

 

However, the page featuring the changes were quickly removed, MacRumors added.

 

"If these leaked images and text are any indication, Apple’s event on Tuesday promises to offer a number of interesting updates to both the iWork and iLife app packages, as well as a possible treat for independent musicians on a budget," tech site Mashable noted.

 

MacRumors said Apple may unveil the new apps at Tuesday's media event in San Francisco.

 

"Other announcements should include updated iPad and iPad mini lineups, new Retina MacBook Pros, and the official introduction of Apple's redesigned Mac Pro, as well as a final look at OS X Mavericks before its public launch in the coming days," it said.

 

Improved cameras for new iPad?

 

Meanwhile, improved cameras may be among the most outstanding features of the upcoming new versions of Apple's iPad and iPad mini tablets, a tech site reported.

 

Mashable cited a claim by KGI Securities analyst Ming-Chi Kuo indicating Apple may even make the upgraded cameras a selling point for the new iPads.

 

"Kuo states that both tablets will launch in the fourth quarter of this year and that Apple will upgrade the cameras as a selling point. The analyst expects the rear cameras to sport an eight megapixel sensor, up from the five-megapixel version on the current models," it said.

 

It said the aperture may also be increased to allow for better pictures, like that on the camera on the iPhone 5S.

Mashable said Apple may likewise add new software-based camera features introduced with the iPhone 5s.

 

These could include a slow-motion shooting capability that captures high-definition video at 120 frames per second.

Apple is expected to adopt design cues from the mini for the iPad 5, including curves and thinner bezels.

 

On the other hand, Mashable said it is unclear if the new full-size iPad would come with a TouchID fingerprint sensor.

 

"While improved cameras would be nice, we're still holding out hope that at least the full-sized tablet will have a Touch ID sensor," it said. — TJD, GMA News