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Apple Watch time? Company sets March 9 'spring forward' event

Apple likely will show off its high-tech watch next month ahead of the wearable's April release. Other possibilities? An updated Apple TV or an "iPad Pro."

Shara Tibken Former managing editor
Shara Tibken was a managing editor at CNET News, overseeing a team covering tech policy, EU tech, mobile and the digital divide. She previously covered mobile as a senior reporter at CNET and also wrote for Dow Jones Newswires and The Wall Street Journal. Shara is a native Midwesterner who still prefers "pop" over "soda."
Shara Tibken
2 min read

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Apple will hold a press event March 9. Screenshot by Shara Tibken/CNET

We may see Apple Watch sooner than expected.

Apple on Thursday sent out invitations for a press event on March 9 at the Yerba Buena Center for the Arts Theater in San Francisco. The company has held many of its product introductions in the downtown venue, which is larger than the Town Hall auditorium on its campus.

Apple likely will show off Apple Watch, its first wearable. Last month, CEO Tim Cook said Apple would start selling the smartwatch in April.

The lowest-end Apple Watch will cost $349. The company announced the device during a star-studded event in September. At the same time, it introduced its bigger-screen iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus devices. It also held an event in October to unveil its newest iPads and Macs, including the high resolution iMac.

Apple Watch is the first major new product category for the company since the "magical" iPad in 2010. It's also the first new push by Apple under Cook's leadership. Cook had promised for over a year that Apple would introduce "="" new="" products"="" shortcode="link" asset-type="article" uuid="aa8325df-eea6-11e2-8339-d4ae52e62bcc" slug="cook-promises-amazing-apple-products-in-the-fall" link-text="" section="news" title="Cook promises 'amazing' Apple products in the fall" edition="us" data-key="link_bulk_key" api="{"id":"aa8325df-eea6-11e2-8339-d4ae52e62bcc","slug":"cook-promises-amazing-apple-products-in-the-fall","contentType":null,"edition":"us","topic":{"slug":"tech-industry"},"metaData":{"typeTitle":null,"hubTopicPathString":"Tech Industry","reviewType":null},"section":"news"}"> in 2014 and enter ""="" shortcode="link" asset-type="article" uuid="b648c82b-a5c9-11e3-a24e-d4ae52e62bcc" slug="apple-ceo-cook-reiterates-new-product-categories-in-the-works" link-text="" section="news" title="Apple CEO Cook reiterates: New product categories in the works" edition="us" data-key="link_bulk_key" api="{"id":"b648c82b-a5c9-11e3-a24e-d4ae52e62bcc","slug":"apple-ceo-cook-reiterates-new-product-categories-in-the-works","contentType":null,"edition":"us","topic":{"slug":"tech-industry"},"metaData":{"typeTitle":null,"hubTopicPathString":"Tech Industry","reviewType":null},"section":"news"}"> beyond its wildly successful smartphones, tablets and computers. Apple Watch, along with the new Apple Pay mobile-payments service, fulfill that vow.

Along with Apple Watch, the company also could show off an updated Apple TV that works as the hub for a smart home and has more video and live TV features. And Apple could introduce the long-awaited 12-inch "iPad Pro" or a MacBook Air with Retina Display -- two products market watchers have long been awaiting.

Update, 9:25 a.m. PT: Adds background information.

Watch this: What to expect at Apple's 'Spring Forward' event