MacRumors

Now that Apple's "Spring Forward" media event has wrapped up, the company has posted a full video of the event on its website, which viewers can watch at their leisure.

During the event, Apple shared several product videos, which it has now uploaded to YouTube. There are dedicated videos on the new MacBook, each of the Apple Watch models, the new West Lake, China Apple Store, and more. A full list of videos is below.


- The New MacBook - Design
- The New MacBook - Reveal
- Apple Watch + Christy Turlington Burns
- Apple Watch - The Watch Reimagined
- Apple Watch Sport -Aluminum
- Apple Watch - Steel
- Apple Watch Edition - Gold
- ResearchKit - how iPhone is transforming medical research
- West Lake, China - Apple Store Opening

Along with the videos, you can also check out our full list of media event highlights below, featuring all of MacRumors event coverage.

- Live Coverage of Apple's March 2015 'Spring Forward' Event
- HBO and Apple Announce 'HBO Now' Exclusively for Apple TV, Apple Devices
- Apple Lowers Price of Apple TV to $69
- Apple Announces 'ResearchKit' Aimed at Medical Research
- Apple Announces 12-Inch Retina MacBook With Revamped Trackpad, Starting at $1,299
- MacBook Air and 13" Retina MacBook Pro Updated to Improve Speed and Battery Life
- Apple to Release iOS 8.2 Today With Support for Upcoming Apple Watch
- Apple Watch Sport to cost $349 (38mm) and $399 (42mm)
- Stainless Steel Apple Watch Pricing: $549 to $1049 (38mm), $599 to $1099 (42mm)
- Gold Apple Watch Edition Costs Between $10,000 to $17,000, Available in Limited Quantities
- Apple Watch Launches April 24, Price Ranges From $349 to Over $10,000
- Apple Watch Bands Range in Price from $49 for the Sport Band to $449 for the Link Bracelet
- Apple Watch Battery Life: 18 Hours Mixed Usage, Up to 72 Hours on Power Reserve
- USB-C Digital AV Multiport Adapter for New MacBook Includes HDMI and USB 3.1 Connectors

Related Roundups: Apple Watch 10, MacBook Air
Related Forums: MacBook, MacBook Pro, MacBook Air

Amid all of the excitement over the 12-inch MacBook and new pricing details on the Apple Watch, Billboard has shared some new information on Apple's rumored music service.

Initial rumors suggested Apple was hoping to undercut competing services like Spotify on price, offering its upcoming music service for $7.99, but according to Billboard, music labels are said to be highly resistant to pricing under the industry standard of $9.99.

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Due to labels' insistence on the $9.99 price point, Apple is said to have backed down from its aggressive $7.99 pricing goal, suggesting the service may cost subscribers $9.99 per month instead of $7.99 per month.

Negotiations for Apple's upcoming subscription service are evidence labels are standing firm on pricing. Industry sources say Apple has backed down from its effort to lower monthly pricing for its subscription service to $7.99 from $9.99. Apple would have to absorb the loss if it sets a price lower than the standard $9.99.

Apple may not be able to offer a lower price point than competing services, but industry insiders that spoke to Billboard have suggested that Apple is talking to artists and labels about exclusives for key releases that will help it stand out from the competition.

Limited details are available on Apple's new subscription music service, but it's said to be a complete rebranding of the company's existing Beats Music service. It is rumored to be directly integrated into iTunes and it will be platform agnostic -- available on iOS and on Android, through a dedicated Android app Apple is building.

Recent rumors have suggested that Apple will launch its revamped streaming music service in June, during the company's annual Worldwide Developers Conference.

Announced in conjunction with the new line of MacBooks revealed at today's "Spring Forward" event in San Francisco, the USB-C Digital AV Multiport Adaptor will allow users a dock-like experience with included HDMI, USB 3.1, and USB-C inputs located on the device.

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Mainly featured will be the ability to mirror a MacBook's display onto an HDMI-connected screen. The adapter will allow users to play a wide range of video content, including movies and captured video, at up to 1080p HD.

This adapter allows you to mirror your MacBook display to your HDMI-enabled TV or display in up to 1080p HD. It also outputs video content like movies and captured video. Simply connect the adapter to the USB-C port on your MacBook and then to your TV or projector via an HDMI cable (sold separately).

Apple also noted that the other two inputs on the device, USB 3.1 and USB-C, will be able to be used simultaneously. Ultimately aimed at providing a bit more accessibility to the lone USB-C port located on the new MacBook line, the Multiport Adapter will allow users to mirror their display, charge an iPhone, and make sure their MacBook doesn't run out of power at the same time.

A similar device, the USB-C VGA Multiport Adapter, will allow all the same features, but let users connect their MacBook to a VGA-enabled display, with all of the expected USB 3.1 and USB-C features as in the HDMI model.

Though currently unavailable, those interested will be able to pick up the Multiport Adapter from Apple's online store for $79.00.

Related Forum: MacBook

imovie.pngFollowing today's media event where Apple unveiled the 12-inch MacBook and new details on the Apple Watch, the company has released a minor update to iMovie for Mac that adds in support for Photos.

With the new Photos integration in iMovie, it's now possible for iMovie users to browse Moments, Collections, Favorites, and Albums that have been stored in Photos, using the Photos app to insert content into video projects.

Photos for OS X was first introduced last year and was provided to developers earlier this month alongside the first OS X 10.10.3 beta. As of last week, the Photos app is also available to the public through Apple's public beta testing program.

Designed to replace Aperture and iPhoto, Photos for OS X integrates with iCloud Photo Library, providing a unified editing and photo management experience across Macs and iOS devices.

Today's iMovie for Mac update also includes Play/Pause, Prev/Next and Full Screen buttons that are permanently displayed below the Viewer, and easier access to the Record Voiceover button. There are also several stability improvements.

- Browse Moments, Collections, Favorites and Albums from the Photos app to add content to your projects
- Play/Pause, Prev/Next and Full Screen buttons are always displayed below the Viewer for easier navigation
- Record Voiceover button available below the Viewer for easier access to controls when adding narration
- Adds support for the Sony XAVC-S format
- Addresses stability and compatibility issues

iMovie for Mac can be downloaded from the Mac App Store for $14.99. [Direct Link]

Apple Watch MagSafe Inductive ChargerApple has outlined specific information about Apple Watch battery life on its website, claiming that the wrist-worn device gets all-day battery life of 18 hours on a single charge based on mixed usage, and up to 72 hours in Power Reserve mode. The battery testing was conducted in March using a preproduction Apple Watch paired with an iPhone running preproduction software.

Apple claims that the Apple Watch has battery life of up to 3 hours for talk time, 6.5 hours for audio playback over Bluetooth, up to 7 hours during a workout session with the heart rate sensor on and up to 48 hours for timekeeping. Apple Watch charging times are listed as about 1.5 hours from 0% to 80% and 2.5 hours from 0% to 100% using the included MagSafe inductive charger.

Apple's claim of all-day battery life is based on using the Apple Watch for 90 time checks, 90 notifications, 45 minutes of app use, and a 30-minute workout with music playback via Bluetooth over the course of 18 hours. Apple used a 38mm Apple Watch for testing and claims that the 42mm will generally experience longer battery life. Additional magnetic chargers are available on Apple's bands and accessories page, costing $29 for a 1-meter cable and $39 for a 2-meter cable.

Related Roundup: Apple Watch 10
Buyer's Guide: Apple Watch (Neutral)

Following today's "Spring Forward" media event where Apple shared additional details on the Apple Watch, the company has a new online storefront that details the prices of all of the different Apple Watch combinations and individual bands. As predicted, Apple is selling the Apple Watch in pre-configured arrangements, but the company is also offering bands on a standalone basis.

The entry-level aluminum Apple Watch sport pricing starts at $349 for a 38mm model with an included sport band, while the 42mm model is priced at $399.

Standalone Sport bands are priced at $49 across the board, and are available in Black w/ Space Gray pin, Black, White, Pink, Blue, and Green. The Apple Watch Sport is only available pre-configured with Sport bands. Each Apple Watch Sport band purchase actually comes with two bands: one Small-Medium band and one Medium-Large band.

pinksportband38mm
Pricing for the middle tier stainless steel Apple Watch starts at $549 for a 38mm stainless steel case with a Sport Band and maxes out at $1,099 for a 42mm Space Black Case with Black Stainless Steel Link Bracelet. The standard Apple Watch ships with a range of bands, which are also available individually at varying prices.

The Modern Buckle band, only available for the 38mm Apple Watch, is priced at $249 and is available in three sizes and three colors: Brown, Black, Soft Pink, Midnight Blue. The Leather Loop can only be purchased for the 42mm Apple Watch and is priced at $149. It's available in Stone, Light Brown, Black, and Bright Blue. The Classic Buckle, available for both the 38 and 42mm Apple Watch, is also priced at $149. Each of Apple's leather bands is available in multiple sizes, and a guide on how all of the Apple Watch versions fit on the wrist can be found on Apple's site [PDF].

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The Milanese Loop, available in both 38 and 42mm configurations, is priced at $149, while the Link Bracelet, also available in 38 and 42mm configurations, is Apple's most expensive watch band at $449.

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The priciest Apple Watch, the Apple Watch Edition, starts at $10,000 with a White Sport Band that includes gold accents. The highest-priced Apple Watch Edition is the 42mm 18-karat Yellow Gold version with a Midnight Blue Classic Buckle that also includes gold accents. All of the Apple Watch Edition models appear to include special bands with gold accents that are not available individually at this time.

Apple is also selling standalone MagSafe chargers for the Apple Watch. A 1m charger and cable is available for $29, while a 2m charger and cable is available for $39.

The Apple Watch will be available for pre-order beginning on April 10. Apple will also have in-store displays that allow people to try on the Apple Watch in its retail stores on that date.

Related Roundup: Apple Watch 10
Buyer's Guide: Apple Watch (Neutral)

Apple announced on Monday that the Apple Watch will be available in nine countries beginning April 24, with pre-orders starting on April 10. The first wave launch countries include the United States, Australia, Canada, China, France, Germany, Hong Kong, Japan and United Kingdom. Apple Watch will be available for purchase by reservation at Apple Stores, online and at select authorized resellers in China and Japan.

“Apple Watch begins a new chapter in the way we relate to technology and we think our customers are going to love it,” said Tim Cook, Apple’s CEO. “We can’t wait for people to start wearing Apple Watch to easily access information that matters, to interact with the world, and to live a better day by being more aware of their daily activity than ever before.”

applewatch1
Apple Watch Sport will cost $349 for the 38mm model and $399 for the 42mm model, the stainless steel Apple Watch will range between $549 to $1099, and the 18-karat gold Apple Watch Edition will cost between $10,000 to $17,000. Customers will be able to preview and try on the Apple Watch by booking an appointment at the Apple Store, or by visiting Galeries Lafayette in Paris, Isetan in Tokyo or Selfridges in London after April 10.

Apple CEO Tim Cook announced during the "Spring Forward" media event that the Apple Watch will have 18 hours of battery life on a single charge. Bands will retail for between $49 and $449, with additional magnetic chargers costing $29 for a 1-meter cable and $39 for a 2-meter cable. A new bands and accessories page on the Apple Online Store lists all of the available add-ons for Apple Watch.

Related Roundup: Apple Watch 10
Buyer's Guide: Apple Watch (Neutral)

Apple Watch Edition RedApple CEO Tim Cook on Monday at the “Spring Forward” media event in San Francisco announced that the 18-karat gold Apple Watch Edition will cost upwards of $10,000, and will be available in limited quantities. At the low end of Apple Watch Edition pricing, the 38mm 18-Karat Rose Gold Case with White Sport Band costs $10,000, and at the high end is the 38mm 18-Karat Yellow Gold Case with Bright Red Modern Buckle for $17,000.

The specific Apple Watch Edition pricing for each model:

  • 38mm 18-Karat Rose Gold Case with White Sport Band — $10,000

  • 42mm 18-Karat Rose Gold Case with White Sport Band — $12,000

  • 38mm 18-Karat Yellow Gold Case with Black Sport Band — $10,000

  • 42mm 18-Karat Yellow Gold Case with Black Sport Band — $12,000

  • 38mm 18-Karat Rose Gold Case with Rose Gray Modern Buckle — $17,000

  • 42mm 18-Karat Yellow Gold Case with Black Classic Buckle — $15,000

  • 38mm 18-Karat Yellow Gold Case with Bright Red Modern Buckle — $17,000

  • 42mm 18-Karat Yellow Gold Case with Midnight Blue Classic Buckle — $15,000

    Follow the rest of our March 2015 event coverage for the latest information.

    Related Roundup: Apple Watch 10
    Buyer's Guide: Apple Watch (Neutral)
  • apple_watch_sensorApple CEO Tim Cook on Monday at the “Spring Forward” media event in San Francisco announced that the stainless steel Apple Watch will cost between $549 to $1049 for the 38mm model, while the larger 42mm model will cost between $599 to $1099, depending on the band chosen.

    A variety of bands are available for the stainless steel Apple Watch, including a Sport Band, Classic Buckle, Milanese Loop, Leather Loop, Modern Buckle and Link Bracelet. Available color options include white, black, midnight blue, bright blue, soft pink, stone leather, brown and space black. The specific stainless steel Apple Watch pricing for each model:

  • 38mm Stainless Steel Case with White Sport Band — $549

  • 42mm Stainless Steel Case with White Sport Band — $599

  • 38mm Stainless Steel Case with Black Sport Band — $549

  • 42mm Stainless Steel Case with Black Sport Band — $599

  • 38mm Stainless Steel Case with Black Classic Buckle — $649

  • 42mm Stainless Steel Case with Black Classic Buckle — $699

  • 38mm Stainless Steel Case with Milanese Loop — $649

  • 42mm Stainless Steel Case with Milanese Loop — $699

  • 38mm Stainless Steel Case with Black Modern Buckle — $749

  • 42mm Stainless Steel Case with Black Leather Loop — $699

  • 38mm Stainless Steel Case with Midnight Blue Modern Buckle — $749

  • 42mm Stainless Steel Case with Bright Blue Leather Loop — $699

  • 38mm Stainless Steel Case with Soft Pink Modern Buckle — $749

  • 42mm Stainless Steel Case with Stone Leather Loop — $699

  • 38mm Stainless Steel Case with Brown Modern Buckle — $749

  • 42mm Stainless Steel Case with Light Brown Leather Loop — $699

  • 38mm Stainless Steel Case with Link Bracelet — $949

  • 42mm Stainless Steel Case with Link Bracelet — $999

  • 38mm Space Black Case with Space Black Stainless Steel Link Bracelet — $1,049

  • 42mm Space Black Case with Space Black Stainless Steel Link Bracelet — $1,099

    Follow the rest of our March 2015 event coverage for the latest information.

    Related Roundup: Apple Watch 10
    Buyer's Guide: Apple Watch (Neutral)
  • Apple Watch Sport BlueApple CEO Tim Cook on Monday at the “Spring Forward” media event in San Francisco announced that the Apple Watch Sport will start at $349 for the 38mm, while the larger 42mm model will cost $399.

    It was also recently discovered that the Apple Watch Sport will be the only edition to include two bands in the box, as noted on Apple's online store page for the active lifestyle-focused edition. The bands will be for two different sized wrists: one small-medium band, and one medium-large band.

    The specific pricing for each Apple Watch Sport model:

  • 38mm Silver Aluminum Case with White Sport Band — $349

  • 42mm Silver Aluminum Case with White Sport Band — $399

  • 38mm Silver Aluminum Case with Blue Sport Band — $349

  • 42mm Silver Aluminum Case with Blue Sport Band — $399

  • 38mm Silver Aluminum Case with Green Sport Band — $349

  • 42mm Silver Aluminum Case with Green Sport Band — $399

  • 38mm Silver Aluminum Case with Pink Sport Band — $349

  • 42mm Silver Aluminum Case with Pink Sport Band — $399

  • 38mm Space Gray Aluminum Case with Black Sport Band — $349

  • 42mm Space Gray Aluminum Case with Black Sport Band — $399

    Follow the rest of our March 2015 event coverage for the latest information.

    Related Roundup: Apple Watch 10
    Buyer's Guide: Apple Watch (Neutral)
  • ios_8_iconDuring its big "Spring Forward" Apple Watch event, Apple announced that it will release iOS 8.2 to the public today, with support for the upcoming Apple Watch and a range of bug fixes. iOS 8.2 was first seeded to developers along with the WatchKit SDK back in November, allowing them to begin preparing apps for the device.

    iOS 8.2 is available today as an over-the-air download.

    Apple is already working on the next update to iOS, iOS 8.3, and iOS 8.4 is also said to be in the works.

    Update 11:52 AM: iOS 8.2 is now available as an over-the-air download.

    Related Forum: iOS 8

    Following the announcement of the brand new line of MacBooks, Apple today revealed a slight update to its MacBook Air and 13-inch Retina MacBook Pro lines.

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    Both the 11" and 13" MacBook Air models will be upgraded to 5th generation Intel Core i5 and i7 processors, Thunderbolt 2, and Intel HD Graphics 6000.

    Today the popular 13-inch MacBook Pro with Retina display, 11-inch MacBook Air and 13-inch MacBook Air all received significant upgrades,” said Philip Schiller, Apple’s senior vice president of Worldwide Marketing. “The 13-inch MacBook Pro has been updated with the latest processors, more powerful graphics, faster flash, longer battery life and the all-new Force Touch trackpad. We’re also bringing the latest processors and graphics, and faster Thunderbolt 2 to the 11-inch and 13-inch MacBook Air, as well as up to two times faster flash to the 13-inch MacBook Air.”

    The 13" MacBook Pro will receive the brand new Force Touch trackpad introduced on the new MacBook today at the Spring Forward event. Other new additions to the Pro lineup include: 5th-gen Core i5 and i7 processors with Turbo Boost Speeds up to 3.4 GHz, 2x faster flash, "faster integrated" Intel Iris Graphics 6100, and an improved 10-hour battery life. There was no mention of an update to the 15" MacBook Pro line at today's event.

    The updated MacBook Air and MacBook Pro lines can be purchased starting today on Apple's online store, Apple's retail stores, and various Apple authorized retailers.

    Follow the rest of our March 2015 event coverage for the latest Apple Watch information.

    Related Roundup: MacBook Air
    Related Forums: MacBook Pro, MacBook Air

    At today's "Spring Forward" media event, Apple announced its much-anticipated ultra thin 12-inch MacBook, with prices starting at $1,299. The new notebook, which features a 12-inch Retina display with a resolution of 2304 x 1440, offers a full Mac experience in the lightest and thinnest Mac form factor to date

    macbook
    The 12-inch MacBook is separate from the company's MacBook Air and MacBook Pro lines. It weighs 2 pounds and is 24 percent thinner than the existing MacBook Air at 13.1mm. It's available in three iPhone and iPad-style colors: gold, silver, and space gray.

    With the new MacBook, Apple has introduced a redesigned keyboard, featuring a new butterfly mechanism for the keys to make them both more stable and more precise. The edge-to-edge keyboard offers keys with 17 percent more surface area and a redesigned feel.

    "Apple has reinvented the notebook with the new MacBook, and at just two pounds and 13.1 mm, it's the thinnest and lightest Mac ever," said Philip Schiller, Apple’s senior vice president of Worldwide Marketing. "Every component of the MacBook reveals a new innovation. From its fanless design, ultra-thin Retina display and full-size keyboard that’s 34 percent thinner, to its all-new Force Touch trackpad, versatile USB-C port and breakthrough terraced battery design, the new MacBook is the future of the notebook."

    Apple's new MacBook also includes a completely revamped trackpad, with built-in Force Touch. Force Touch can detect the amount of pressure placed on the trackpad, introducing a whole range of gestures. For example, a hard press using Force Touch brings up a Map in mail, or a Wikipedia entry in Safari, much like right clicking does now. The trackpad also includes haptic feedback, giving users tactile feedback from the trackpad when using it. The trackpad is customizable, letting users choose how much pressure is required to initiate a force press.

    The 12-inch MacBook uses an Intel Core-M processor that starts at 1.1GHz with Intel HD 5300 graphics. It has entirely silent operation because it's the first MacBook to use a completely fanless design. Internally, the logic board is 67 percent smaller than the logic board in the MacBook Air, and Apple's designed new custom-shaped batteries for the device to eke out as much battery life as possible.

    According to Apple, the new MacBook has an "all-day battery" life at 9 hours of web browsing and 10 hours of iTunes movie playback.

    To allow for its ultra thin design, Apple has used a single USB-C port in the MacBook, which combines several functions into a one port: power, USB data transfer, DisplayPort, HDMI, and VGA capabilities. The MacBook does not use the traditional MagSafe charging method that's available in other MacBooks.

    The entry-level MacBook is priced at $1,299 and includes a 1.1GHz dual-core Intel Core M processor, 8GB of memory, 256GB of flash storage, and Intel HD graphics 5300. There's also a 1.2GHz version with 8GB of memory and 512GB of flash storage available for $1,599. There will be additional configure-to-order options as well.

    The new MacBook will begin shipping on Friday, April 10 through the Apple Online Store and from Apple retail stores and Apple Authorized Resellers.

    Related Forum: MacBook

    Apple SVP of Operations, Jeff Williams, today announced "ResearchKit", a new open source software framework in the vein of HomeKit and HealthKit that will turn an iPhone into "powerful diagnostic tools for medical research." The new software aims to assist doctors and scientist gather data at a faster and more accurate rate via the accessibility of the iPhone.

    Williams mentioned multiple conditions that ResearchKit will be aimed at, including: Parkinson's, Diabetes, Cardiovascular disease, Asthma and Breast cancer. Apple also promised it "will not see your data" when reiterating on Privacy of the new ResearchKit app.

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    "iOS apps already help millions of customers track and improve their health. With hundreds of millions of iPhones in use around the world, we saw an opportunity for Apple to have an even greater impact by empowering people to participate in and contribute to medical research,” said Jeff Williams, Apple’s senior vice president of Operations. “ResearchKit gives the scientific community access to a diverse, global population and more ways to collect data than ever before.”

    When given permission, ResearchKit will attain user data like weight, blood pressure, glucose levels and asthma inhaler use, most measured thanks to third-party devices and apps. The service will also give researches a more streamlined experience in recruiting and gaining data from study participants, allowing users to answer surveys and input data right from the app.

    ResearchKit will be released next month, and those first five apps mentioned by Williams at the conference are going to be available today.

    Follow the rest of our March 2015 event coverage for the latest Apple Watch information.

    Apple CEO Tim Cook on Monday at the “Spring Forward” media event in San Francisco announced that Apple TV will now cost $69, discounted from its regular price of $99. The new price for the set-top box arrives on the heels of the announcement of HBO Now for Apple TV. The new price appears to apply to the third-generation Apple TV, as the company did not announce a new set-top box on stage at the Yerba Buena Center this afternoon.

    Apple TV 69
    A revamped Apple TV has been rumored to be in the works for quite some time, but the next-generation set-top box is not expected to be announced until later this year or beyond. The upcoming Apple TV is expected to have an improved, tactile remote control and a brand new operating system with a built-in App Store. New apps are also expected to have redesigned user interfaces.

    Follow the rest of our March 2015 event coverage for the latest information.

    Related Roundup: Apple TV
    Buyer's Guide: Apple TV (Don't Buy)

    Today at Apple's special media event, HBO CEO Richard Plepler took the stage with Apple CEO Tim Cook to announce HBO Now, HBO's new standalone streaming service. The announcement comes just under a week after it was first reported.

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    The new service is exclusive for Apple TV and other Apple devices for $14.99 a month. The service will be ready in time for the series premiere of HBO hit show Game of Thrones on April 12, and users who sign up for the service in April will receive the first month of HBO Now for free.

    HBO Now will feature all of HBO's original content, past and present, as well as its entire movie catalog. It appears to available only for customers in the United States, and, according to John Paczkowski, will be exclusive to Apple devices for three months.

    apple_event_spring_forwardSix months after the Apple Watch's unveiling, Apple's "Spring Forward" media event in San Francisco today will give us final details on the device ahead of its launch next month. We could see a few other announcements as well, but given the tagline and timing of the event, the Apple Watch will undoubtedly be the focus of today's proceedings.

    The event is being held at the Yerba Buena Center for the Arts in San Francisco and begins at 10:00 AM Pacific Time / 1:00 PM Eastern Time. Apple will be providing a live video stream on its website for Mac and iOS users and via Apple TV.

    Live Video Stream of Apple's March 2015 "Spring Forward" Media Event

    In addition, we will be updating this article with summary coverage and issuing Twitter updates through our @MacRumorsLive account as the event unfolds. Highlights and separate news stories regarding the event announcements will go out through our @MacRumors account.

    Sign up for our newsletter to keep up with Apple news and rumors.

    Apple's online stores around the world are currently down in advance of the event.

    ➜ Click here to read rest of article...

    Apple WatchApple is shifting its retail strategy for the Apple Watch to deliver a more personalized shopping experience, according to The Wall Street Journal. The report claims that Apple Stores will accept in-store reservations for customers to try on the Apple Watch and corroborates that Apple is training its retail employees to help customers choose an Apple Watch model that suits them best.

    The report, citing sources familiar with the matter, adds that the high-end Apple Watch Edition will have scratch-resistant gold, which an in-depth analysis over the weekend revealed is because Apple mixes the metal with low-density ceramic particles. Apple is also said to have studied a platinum Apple Watch, but the model is unlikely to be announced Monday.

    "The company has refined the smartwatch’s luxury features, making the gold in the Edition model scratch-resistant, according to people familiar with the matter," reports The Wall Street Journal. "It also has studied platinum watch casings, although the company isn’t expected to announce that on Monday, they said."

    Apple CEO Tim Cook, during a visit to the Covent Garden Apple Store in London last month, told retail employees that Apple has "never sold anything as a company that people could try on before." The chief executive added that "tweaking the experience in the store" will likely be a requirement when the wrist-worn device launches in April. It also appears likely that the Apple Watch will be exclusive to Apple Stores immediately following the product's launch, although for how long remains unknown.

    Follow the rest of our March 2015 event coverage for the latest Apple Watch information.

    Related Roundup: Apple Watch 10
    Buyer's Guide: Apple Watch (Neutral)