It hasn't been way too long since the last Apple Live event, but the company has scheduled another press conference today with the teaser "It's been way too long."
We fully expect non-surprises like an iPad Air 2 and iPad mini 3 refresh for 2014, just in case the large iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus weren't big enough for you.
October is also when Apple typically updates its desktop software and computers, and sure enough an OS X 10.10 Yosemite release date and new iMac Retina are expected.
But that mysterious "It's been way too long" conference tagline makes us think that either a new Apple TV or iPod Nano 6G will be the next "One more thing" to follow last month's Apple Watch surprise.
Our live block kicks off on this page and Apple's live stream starts at 10 a.m Pacific, 1 p.m. Eastern, 6 p.m. London time, but first, here are the top predictions for today's iPad event.
iPad Air 2
The iPad Air 2 rumors point to a familiar tablet with a 9.7-inch screen, but one that may bump the resolution up to a Retina HD-quality 3072 x 2304 and 396ppi.
It would be three times the resolution of the original iPad and two times the resolution of the previous iPad Air, which had already-reasonable specs of 2048 x 1536 and 264ppi and was our pick for the best tablet.
iPad Air 2 predictions also indicate that the Touch ID fingerprint sensor takes over the home button duties and there'll be a gold color option. iPad is finally catching up to the old iPhone 5S.
On the inside, Apple's new tablet is actually tipped to surpass the iPhone 6 specs thanks to a speedier A8X processor and healthier 2GB of RAM. These powerful components could be used to support the unused iOS 8 beta code that hinted at true split-screen multitasking.
There's a chance other features may be axed. iPad Air 2 leaks show new volume buttons, but the design lacks the familiar mute switch. Also, Apple could drop the 32GB model and replace it with 64GB version at the same price, exactly like it did with the iPhone 6.
iPad mini 3
There may be even fewer changes with the new iPad mini in 2014. That's okay. We're already satisfied with the smaller 7.9-inch iPad mini 2 for the most part.
It'll sport the same Retina 2048 x 1536 resolution that made its debut last year and be upgraded with a Touch ID fingerprint sensor and gold color option, according to the latest rumors.
Expect the guts to include an Apple A8 processor like the iPhone 6, but not the A8X chip of its bigger brother, and an 8-megapixel rear camera, up from the previous 5MP iSight camera.
There'll be just 2.4 inches between Apple's tiniest tablet and the 5.5-inch iPhone 6 Plus, so expect the iPad mini 3 price to remain low and competitive.
Apple Pay and iOS 8.1
You may be able to pay for your iPad Air 2 and iPad mini 3 at the Apple Store next week with your iPhone. Apple Pay has been tipped to launch within the week, at least in the US.
After all, the contactless payment system that links your credit cards to your smartphone was promised by Apple within the month of October.
Apple Pay may arrive as a new feature in conjunction with iOS 8.1. The update could fix iOS 8 Wi-Fi and battery drain issues and enables iOS-OSX-tied features.
OS X 10.10 Yosemite
There's little doubt that OS X 10.10 Yosemite is on its way to your Mac, and the free update is likely to be available to download right away.
That's good news because we've been toying with the Yosemite beta for several weeks and really appreciate all of the iOS 8 integration. It completes the iPhone and iPad experience.
Handoff let us pick up apps like Mail and Safari on the computer where we left off on the phone and vice versa. Messages now relays calls and texts from iDevices. It's more than a flat redesign for Macs.
