In this tutorial, I’ll show you how to watch the live Spring Forward Apple special event that is being broadcast over the internet. You can watch the event on a Mac, on an iPad, iPhone or on a television via Apple TV. You could even watch in on a PC.
Don’t worry if you miss the live event, I’ll show you how you can watch on catch-up.
About the 'Spring Forward' Apple Special Event
As with anything Apple, speculation is rife as to what Apple will showcase at this special event to be held on Monday 9th March 2015 at the Yerba Buena Center in San Fancisco.
The tech press is alive with rumour, insight and educated guesses as to what Apple will reveal.
Given the Spring Forward reference to daylight savings time changes, as the event title, it is inevitable that Apple will confirm more detail on the Apple Watch that has already been announced. Apple’s wearable device has been the subject of much speculation; it is set to confirm pricing, availability dates and locations and battery life.
The rest of the presentation may, or may not, see a reimagining of Apple’s retail stores, updated MacBook Pros with Intel Broadwell chips and maybe an evolution of Apple’s hobby device: the Apple TV.
Other ideas mooted are a Retina version of the MacBook Air, a 12” iPad and a new music streaming service.
But none of those are guaranteed.
It’s a Date
You may wish to add the date to your calendar so that you do not miss the live event.
It’s being held at 1000hrs PDT–Pacific Daylight Time (which is 1700hrs GMT–Greenwich Mean Time or 1800hrs BST–British Summer Time).
If you are unsure as to the exact time for your region, consult time.is for an easy way to work out the time difference.
Requirements
In order to watch the event live, or catch up with it later, you’ll first need to ensure that you have the correct equipment and software in order to view it. This could be a good time to ensure that the software on the device is up-to-date.
Mac
You’ll need a modern version of OS X from the last six years; one of the following:
- OS X 10.6.8 Snow Leopard
- OS X 10.7 Lion
- OS X 10.8 Mountain Lion
- OS X 10.9 Mavericks
- OS X 10.10 Yosemite
In addition, you’ll need to be using Apple’s own web browser:
- Safari 5.1.10 or later
Launch the Safari browser and enter the following URL: https://www.apple.com/live/
iPhone and iPad
If you have an iPhone 3GS or first generation iPad, you’ll be out of luck. Anything else, you should be set.
- Safari on iOS 6 or later
Launch the Safari browser and enter the following URL: https://www.apple.com/live/
Apple TV
If you have one of the small, black Apple TV units, ensure that the software is up-to-date. You’ll not be able to stream the event on the original Apple TV, though.
- Apple TV 2nd generation with software 6.2 or later
- Apple TV 3rd generation with software 6.2 or later
On the main screen of the Apple TV there is an icon, Apple Events. By selecting this, you will be able to live stream the event as it happens.
Windows PC
Wait. You’re still using a PC? OK, you’ll need to ensure that Quicktime 7.7.6 for Windows is installed in order to view the event.
How to Watch Later
If, for any reason, you are unable to watch the event–live–you will be able to catch up and view the keynote in your own time.
On a Mac, iPad or iPhone, launch the Safari browser and enter the following URL: https://www.apple.com/live/ ...although you may have to wait a few hours after the keynote is live streamed before you'll be able to watch it here.
On the main screen of the Apple TV navigate to the Apple Events icon.
How to Watch Previous Apple Events
Oops
All of the above is assuming that Apple does not experience a repeat of the September 2014 event where live-streaming failed for many viewers around the globe.
Conclusion
The Apple TV is the ideal way to watch the Spring Forward event, either live or on catch-up, with the diminutive device showcasing Apple technology by live-streaming the event to the screen in the living room.
If you do not have, or do not have access to, an Apple TV, then the next best thing is an iPad or iPhone. Or watch the event at the desk on a desktop computer.
