Apple’s Gather Round event is now just hours away, and if you still haven’t decided how you will watch the live-stream of Apple’s keynote, there is one new option. For the first time, Apple will use Twitter to live-stream the much-anticipated event.
Use Twitter to watch the live-stream of Apple’s keynote
Users can usually watch the live-stream of Apple’s keynote on supported devices via the iOS app. However, the company is now opting for a wider platform for the first time. Apple’s Twitter account confirmed the live-stream and gave details about when the stream will start.
Apple’s tweet asks users to “join us on September 12 at 10 AM PDT to watch the #AppleEvent live on Twitter.” The tweet also asks users to “like” the post if they want to get updates on all the announcements during the event. Based on the wording used in the tweet, it is clear that viewers will be able to watch the live-stream of Apple’s keynote directly on Twitter, rather than only via a link of the company’s own streaming page posted on Twitter.
Join us September 12 at 10 a.m. PDT to watch the #AppleEvent live on Twitter. Tap ❤️ below and we’ll send you updates on event day. pic.twitter.com/i9mGHTKhvu
— Apple (@Apple) September 10, 2018
Apple also confirmed the Twitter live-stream to TechCrunch. This will make it much easier for non-iOS users to watch the live-stream of Apple’s keynote. Users just need to sign in to their Twitter account to watch the event.
Apple’s Twitter account hasn’t been very active; it hardly tweets but does run paid ads using Twitter’s Promoted Only ad product. This Twitter feature allows businesses to broadcast a tweet only to users targeted in their ad campaign. Hopefully things will change now, and we will start to see chatter on Apple’s Twitter account following the live-stream.
Apple grows more social
Apple created its Twitter account in 2011, but it took the company five years to set a profile picture. A few days later, Apple sent its first tweet, and in the process, it also leaked details about the iPhone 7 just an hour before the launch event. Though the company was quick to delete the images, it hasn’t tweeted since then, even though it has more than 2 million followers.
Although this is the first time Apple is using Twitter to stream a launch event, it is not the first time the company has used an outside platform to live-stream an event. The iPhone maker supported streaming on Chrome and Firefox for WWDC. Previously, Apple allowed limited viewing for desktop users on Microsoft’s Edge browser.
Apple even has an Instagram account created about a year ago. However, the move to allow users to watch the live-stream of Apple’s keynote on Twitter suggests the iPhone maker wants to be more social. Perhaps next year the company will even stream its launch event on its dormant Facebook account.
Options to watch the live-stream of Apple’s keynote
Another option to watch the live-stream of Apple’s keynote is via the Apple Events app on the Apple TV. The app is available from the tvOS App Store on the fourth-generation Apple TV and newer. For users with a second- or third-generation Apple TV, the app will automatically appear on their home screen as the event nears.
Further, you can watch the live-stream of Apple’s keynote on the company’s website. All you will need is an iPhone, iPad, iPod, or iPod Touch with Safari running on iOS 10 or later. To watch the stream on your desktop, you will need a Mac with Safari running on macOS Sierra 10.12 or later. PCs running Windows 10 and Microsoft Edge can also show the live-stream of the event. You can also watch the stream on Chrome or Firefox, provided their versions support MSE, H.264 and AAC.
Users with an older version of Windows or Linux can also probably stream the event, but it’s a bit trickier. You can do so by using the versatile VLC media player. After installing the player, click “Media” in the top-left corner and then open “Network Stream.” You will have to paste the URL of the stream there.
Apple’s keynote will start at 10 a.m. Pacific at the Steve Jobs Theater, which is located on the Apple Park campus in Cupertino, Calif. Although Apple has not shared any details about the products it will be announcing at the event, it is widely expected that the company will reveal three new iPhones.
In addition to the new iPhones, Apple is speculated to announce more products like a new iPad Pro, the Apple Watch 4, a new Apple TV, AirPods 2 or even Apple HomePod 2. We may also get the release date for the AirPower wireless charger and iOS 12 during the event.
