Apple Introduces First Touchscreen MacBook and New iPad Mini

Apple Inc. is scheduled to host a product launch event on October 27, marking its first introduction of a MacBook with a touchscreen and a new iPad Mini. The event will follow an earlier smart home strategy presentation on October 13, which features a new home control center, HomePod mini, and an updated Apple TV, all powered by Siri.

Both events will include a virtual livestream and in-person media gatherings, targeting creative professionals in video production, photo editing, and music creation. This marks Apple’s most recent product-focused showcase in Los Angeles since 2024, under the leadership of CEO John Ternus, who assumed the role last month. Ternus aims to expand Apple’s presence in emerging markets and boost service revenue. A company spokesperson declined to comment.

The October 27 event will debut MacBooks named K114 and K116, featuring OLED displays and Dynamic Island interface, a feature familiar to iPhone users. These models, including a 14-inch MacBook Pro, will be lighter than current versions. New iMacs equipped with M6 chips, codenamed J804 and J833, will retain the design of their predecessors. The updated iPad Mini, designated J510, will include an OLED screen, a camera that shifts laterally for video calls, and redesigned speakers. Additional Mac and iPad releases are planned for the first half of 2025, according to Bloomberg.

Apple’s smart home event on October 13 will introduce an ecosystem incorporating accessories from LG Electronics Inc. and Schneider Electric SE, positioning the company to compete with Amazon.com Inc. and Alphabet Inc.’s Google. Amazon recently launched a new tablet line based on its Alexa+ platform. Apple’s strategy reflects a broader push to regain ground in the smart home market, where it has lagged behind competitors. It’s moves align with Ternus’s goal to increase revenue from related services, though specific financial targets remain undisclosed.