March 2019 Apple Event: What to Expect

In an average year, Apple holds three to four events. There's usually a spring event in March, the Worldwide Developers Conference in June, a September event that's focused on iPhone and Apple Watch, and sometimes an October event if there are iPads or Macs expected in the fall.

In this guide, we're keeping track of all of the Apple events that are on the horizon and what we're expecting to see at each one, so make sure to check back in regularly.

March 25 Event

Apple's first event of the year will take place on Monday, March 25. According to rumors, Apple plans to focus on services at this event, introducing both a new Apple News service and a TV service. Here's what we're expecting to see:

Apple News Service

Apple is working on a $9.99 per month subscription news service that would give Apple News users unlimited access to stories from paywalled sites like The New York Times and the Washington Post.

This service is also expected to include a magazine element, similar to the service offered by Texture, the magazine app that Apple bought in 2018. The same $9.99 fee for accessing news services may also provide access to unlimited magazines from participating publishers, but it's not yet clear if that will all fall under a single fee.

Not all news sites are on board yet because Apple wants 50 percent of all subscription revenue, but magazine publishers are embracing Apple's plan. Regardless of how the services are presented, expect to see Apple announce Apple News subscriptions for paywalled news and magazines.

Streaming TV Service

Apple is also working on a streaming TV service that will include the more than two dozen TV shows and movies that it has in the works, along with access to subscription content from other cable providers.

There's no word on what this service will cost, but Apple will introduce it at the March event before launching it later in the year, perhaps in summer or fall. Multiple celebrities like Jennifer Aniston, Steve Carell, and Jennifer Garner - who are starring in Apple's original television shows - have been invited to the event and are expected to attend.

iOS 12.2

The iOS 12.2 beta that's being tested right now already has hints of the Apple News service in it, and Apple is going to release the iOS 12.2 update right after the event takes place to give people access to the new Apple News subscription service.

Along with access to this subscription service, iOS 12.2 brings Apple News to Canada, offers new Animoji characters, includes HomeKit TV support for third-party TVs, and has dozens of other smaller tweaks and changes outlined in our iOS 12.2 tidbits post.

Apple Pay

According to Bloomberg, Apple is planning to preview new Apple Pay features at its March 25 event that will lay the groundwork for an iPhone credit card partnership with Goldman Sachs. It's not entirely clear what new features Apple will announce, but there are updates to the design of the Wallet app in iOS 12.2 that Apple may be planning to highlight.

Hardware

We're expecting minor updates for a number of Apple products, including the iPad mini, iPad, AirPods, and iPod touch, and the launch of the AirPower is rumored to be on the horizon.

Rumors have said that Apple won't include these announcements in the event because of its focus on services, but it's still possible we'll hear a few words about them, and if not, Apple could choose to release all of these updates shortly after the event via press release.

Though most rumors suggest new hardware won't come at the March 25 event, DigiTimes has cited sources suggesting Apple will indeed make hardware announcements at the event, debuting new iPads and AirPods. The reliability of this information is questionable, as DigiTimes' sources are linked to the supply chain and likely have little insight into Apple's event plans.

Event Details

The March 25 event will take place at 10:00 a.m. Pacific Time (1:00 p.m. Eastern Time) at the Steve Jobs Theater on the Apple Park campus. Apple plans to live stream the event on its website and through the Events app on the Apple TV.