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Apple could sneak in a few surprises for the Apple Watch and iPad during Sept. 9 event

Apple Watch Edition gold
Image used with permission by copyright holder
Although all the talk surrounding Apple’s upcoming event next Wednesday involves the announcements of new iPhones and iPads, the company could sneak in a pair of low-key announcements as well, based on reports by The New York Times and Apple Insider.

According to the outlets, Apple will announce new metal finishes for its wearable, the Apple Watch, with one of the options being a cheaper version of the already-expensive 18-karat gold Apple Watch, which currently starts at $10,000. As for the other materials, the rumored options include white gold, titanium, and ceramic. Carbon fiber and rubber are also rumored to be other materials possibly offered to customers.

Another announcement includes, interestingly enough, Apple revealing a keyboard for the iPad. Apple is reportedly “putting the finishing touches” on this revamped iPad keyboard, which “may” launch this year. It’s unknown whether this keyboard will be of the wireless kind that comes with a Magic Mouse. Regardless, it wouldn’t be the first time Apple created a keyboard meant for the iPad, with the company having released one for the first-generation iPad back in 2010.

Related: Check out all the rumors surrounding the new iPhones, the iPad Mini 4, and the iPad Pro

Apple already looks to have a full schedule for its event next Wednesday, Sept. 9, with the company slated to announce the successors to last year’s iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus. Rumors for both handsets include Force Touch, which allows the screen to detect different degrees of pressure, as well as a revamped camera system and upgraded internals.

Less certain is the announcement of new iPads, with Apple possibly revealing the iPad Mini 4 and the jumbo-sized iPad Pro. The iPad Mini 4 looks to match the iPad Air 2 in how thin the latter is, though the iPad Mini 4 looks to pack an Apple A8 processor instead of the A8X found in the iPad Air 2. The iPad Pro, meanwhile, looks to pack a spacious 12.9-inch display, as well as Force Touch and a Force Touch-compatible stylus.

All in all, next Wednesday’s Apple event looks to be a very interesting and diverse event.

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