What We Know About Apple's Big Oct. 16 Event

Apple has one more thing to announce on Oct. 16.

ByABC News
October 9, 2014, 12:16 PM
Attendees gather during an Apple special event at the Flint Center for the Performing Arts, Sept. 9, 2014 in Cupertino, California.
Attendees gather during an Apple special event at the Flint Center for the Performing Arts, Sept. 9, 2014 in Cupertino, California.
Justin Sullivan/Getty Images

— -- As if two new iPhones and a smart watch weren't enough, Apple is planning another big announcement next week.

Much of the speculation has centered on the release of a new iPad, just in time for the holiday shopping season, however Apple isn't commenting on what it has planned. The company released its latest version of the tablet, the iPad Air, around this time last year.

A cryptic invitation sent to industry analysts and members of the media for the Oct. 16 event teases, "It's been way too long."

The gathering will be held at the Apple campus in Cupertino, California, providing a more low-key venue than the 2,405-seat Flint Center, where Apple held its glitzy September launch of the iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus, complete with a rocking finale performance by U2.

While the agenda for the October event may be under wraps, it's expected that the "executive presentation," mentioned on the invitation will include announcements on the hardware, software and product sides.

Along with the speculated new iPads, it has also been suggested that Apple may unveil a new line of Mac computers.

Mark Gurman, senior editor of 9 to 5 Mac, tweeted that the invitation could hold another clue of what's to come.

It could also be the perfect time for Apple Pay to make its official debut. The mobile payment system, which was shown off last month, lists a "Coming in October" date on Apple's website, however it's still not available to the public.

The safest bet may be a new operating system, OS X Yosemite, which is due out in Fall 2014. The operating system is not only more "powerful" than ever, according to Apple, but it's expected to enhance the relationship between a user's Mac and iOS devices.