Apple fans have their eyes keenly fixed on California today where industry professionals claim the new iOS 7 and iPhone 5s will be revealed
A possible fingerprint sensor on the new iPhone 5S
Later today Apple will host its biggest public event in recent months at its home in Cupertino California.
It is believed the US technology giant will unveil the next version of the software that runs its iPhones and iPads - iOS 7.
But the event, which is scheduled for this evening, will also see the debut of at least one new iPhone.
And it will see details of when iOS 7 will be available for owners of iPads and older iPhones, experts claim.
Apple is promising that the announcement "should brighten everyone's day". But just what are we likely to see?
You can get the latest build-up, updates and rumours for the event on our live blog, but in the meantime we asked industry experts at gadget site T3 what they think will be revealed.
iOS 7: Definitely
Perhaps one of the few things we can be certain about finding out tonight is when we'll be able to get our hands on iOS 7.
The update is the biggest since Apple introduced the iPhone back in 2007. The most obvious part of the update is the facelift. Gone are faux-realistic buttons, replaced by flatter, brighter colours.
Many of the existing features of the software have been redesigned. The changes are so drastic; Apple has reportedly cancelled all leave from the middle to the end of September to cope with an increased number of questions from iPhone owners.
iPhone 5S: Definitely
If there is one device that will definitely make an appearance, it is the next generation iPhone.
We're 99 per cent sure that the next iPhone will be called the iPhone 5S. Like the iPhone 4S before it, the upgrade will be more about power and features than looks.
Chances are you'll have to wait till September 2014 before we'll see a new look for the iPhone.
So if Apple is focusing on specifications and features, what can we expect?
T3 says: Upgraded quad-core A6X processor, with 2GB of RAM and storage options of 32GB, 64GB and 128GB.
What does Apple have up its sleeve this year? Well, thanks to a series of leaks, we can be pretty sure it's a fingerprint scanner.
It might not have the same wow factor as Siri, but it does have the potential to become just as – if not more – useful.
T3 says: The iPhone 5S will come with a fingerprint reader, a more powerful camera – at least 13 megapixels – a dual-LED flash, NFC and full 4G support.
Apple will also drop the 16GB mode, adding a new 128GB model at the top end.
iPhone 5C: 99 per cent
Chances are Apple will unveil its new 'budget' handset at its keynote tonight as its "one more thing".
However, there is a nagging voice in the back of our heads that say Apple may hold off the unveiling of the iPhone 5C until its Chinese launch event – especially if – as has been rumoured – the C ends up standing for China.
But aside from the will they, won't they question, what can we expect from Apple's budget iPhone?
According to a number of analysts, the iPhone 5C will be an iPhone 5 in a plastic shell and with full 4G support. That would mean it retains the iPhone 5's 4-inch screen, A6 processor, 1GB of RAM and 16GB, 32GB and 64GB storage options.
T3 says: The iPhone 5C will be unveiled tonight as a redesigned iPhone 5, with a plastic back that comes in five colours. In addition, Apple's event in China will be to announce a partnership between it and China Telecom – the world's largest mobile network – not an exclusive iPhone model for the Chinese market.
Leaked pictures claiming to be the iPhone 5C
Price
We genuinely have no idea how much the iPhone 5S will cost. The best guide is last year's prices for the iPhone 5. SIM-free, an iPhone 5 cost £529 for the 16GB version, £599 for the 32GB version and £699 for the 64GB version.
T3 says: When it comes to the iPhone 5S, our best guess is that it will cost roughly the same as the iPhone 5 at launch. What will happen if Apple announces a 128GB version is anyone's guess.
It may choose to retire the 16GB model and simply shift the pricing of the phones, so the 32GB would cost £529, the 64GB £599 and the 128GB model £699.
As for the iPhone 5C, expect to pay between £300 and £400 for the budget model once you factor in VAT and other costs. At those prices, expect it to be offered for free on contract.
Launch date
Rumours have put the launch date for Apple's new iPhones as Friday, September 20.
A September 20th launch would mean iOS 7 would likely become available for existing iPhone owners from September 18.
In the past, Apple has released the update to iOS two days before the new iPhone launches.
T3 says: Neither of those dates seem unrealistic to us. I think we can safely say that the iPhone 5S and iPhone 5C will arrive in the UK on September 20th, with iOS 7 becoming available two days before that on September 18th.
What else can we expect?
Apple has developed a reputation for surprising people. The late Steve Job's favourite line was "one more thing". Indeed, every Apple keynote between 1998 and Job's death in 2011 saw him utter those famous words before announcing a new product.
But will Apple have a "one more thing" this year? Without a doubt – but will it be the iPhone 5C, or could Apple have something else up its sleeve?
New iPads
It is almost one year to the day that Apple unveiled the iPad 4 and iPad Mini. So does that mean Apple will be unveiling the iPad 5 and iPad Mini 2? Probably not.
As it stands, we're about a month or two behind the iPhone 5S and iPhone 5C in terms of the type of leaks we're seeing. There have also been concerns over whether or not Apple would be able to secure enough high resolution screens for the launch of the iPad Mini 2 before Christmas.
As such, we're unlikely to see any new iPads later today. However, that's not to say that Apple doesn't have anything up its sleeve for later in the year.
T3 says: Probably not. Maybe November though.
An iPad showing the Google search engine home page
PA
New Macs
Rumours emerged earlier this week that Apple is planning another keynote next month to announce the release date for the next version of its desktop operating system OS X. Part of that rumour suggests that Apple may choose to refresh some of its existing Mac products at the same time, as well as announce the launch date for its futuristic looking Mac Pro.
T3 says: Next month, yes, but today? No.
Apple smart TV
Rumours about an Apple TV have been around that long that if they were a person, they'd be starting school soon.
Will we see an Apple made smart TV? No. Will we see a new Apple TV set top box? That's more likely. But even if we do, it's likely it will only be a minor update and nothing to write home about.
T3 says: Maybe.
The iWatch
Rumours first emerged that Apple was working on a smartwatch last year. They were further stoked by various analysts suggesting that the company was investigating the possibility of moving into wearable technology.
The question now is can Apple afford to wait before it shows off what it is working on? Probably not, but will that stop them from holding off announcing it until it is ready to do so? No.
T3 says: No.
Something else...
The iPhone 5S and iPhone 5C have been at the centre of an unprecedented number of leaks. Under Steve Jobs, Apple had a fierce-some reputation for secrecy. Even now, almost all of the leaks have come via the companies that make the iPhone on behalf of Apple.
But could it be part of some plan by Apple to distract us while it cooks up something truly special?
T3 says: Unlikely, but who knows?
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