Apple Cancels Spring Launch Event, Questions Escalate About WWDC

Rumors have been circulating about a potential March event to announce Apple’s rumored new iPhone SE 2, iPad Pro and more. But according to a report by Forbes, this event is not going to happen citing sources at Apple.

Even though there will be no formal event, Apple still plans to roll out several products in the coming month.

The Forbes report was corroborated in a tweet by Jon Prosser of @frontpagetech fame. Prosser consulted his sources, who confirmed to him that the event is officially canceled.

The reason for the cancellation, not surprisingly, is the spread of coronavirus in Santa Clara, which currently has 32 confirmed cases and one death.

Santa Clara county currently issued an order that banned gatherings of more than 1,000 people after its first coronavirus death.

The ban is in effect now and extends until early April, and even if Apple wanted to hold an event, it couldn’t arrange one because of the ban.

Apple has the option to stream the event without an audience posited Prosser, but the company is not expected to take that route.

In lieu of an event, Apple likely will announce their spring products in a series of carefully timed press releases.

Looking ahead to WWDC, it is not clear whether Apple will still hold its developer event. By June, the coronavirus scare should be over, and a large gathering should pose no problems to organizers or attendees.

The issue with WWDC, and similar large conferences, is that the invitations for the event need to be sent out soon. Given the current state of the epidemic, an announcement of this magnitude may not be well received.

[The information provided in this article has NOT been confirmed by Apple and may be speculation. Provided details may not be factual. Take all rumors, tech or otherwise, with a grain of salt.]