Apple's March event has finally made the awkward transition from gangly rumor to highly-anticipated real thing.  On Thursday Apple sent invitations to select media for a March 21 event at its Cupertino, California, campus where most people expect the company to finally reveal the entry-level iPhone 5SE ("SE" stands for "special edition"), a four-inch smartphone that will look like the lovechild of an iPod 5 and an iPhone 5S. It will be the first "5" with curved edges and may also come in hot pink (That may well be the best or worst thing to ever happen to the iPhone). Some think this 4-inch device might simply be called the "iPhone SE."  Besides venue information, the invitation has the phrase, "Let us loop you in." A cropped image of the invitation is below.  No one expects cutting-edge technology from the new 4-inch phone. Most rumors have pegged it with the last-generation A8 chip and an 8-megapixel camera. It will also, at a rumored $450, cost a lot less than Apple's flagships, the iPhone 6S and 6S Plus.  Most people also expect an iPad Air 3. Apple's latest 9.7-inch tablet will not be a great leap forward, but it should include an A9 processor, support for the Apple Pencil and maybe even Smart Connectors for accessories like an iPad Air-size Smart Keyboard.  This event will also mark the one year anniversary (plus a few days) of the official introduction of Apple's first wearable, the Apple Watch. No one is predicting new hardware; the Apple Watch design will probably be fixed for at least another six months. There are rumors, though, of even more watch band styles and, possibly, some new Apple Watch colors and materials.  This is also the time of year where Apple does a laptop refresh. A year ago it introduced the ultra-light, gold MacBook, which was notable for having just a single USB-C port. The device is an engineering wonder, but its processor, the Intel Core M, is over a year old. Expect an upgrade to Intel's sixth-generation Core line (a.k.a. Skylake). Apple could also introduce upgrades for the MacBook Pro and the Mac Pro.  There's always the possibility of a surprisem, like a brand new gadget or accessory. It's certainly been ages since Apple upgraded the earbuds that ship with the iPhone. Maybe they'll finally get a Beats upgrade.  Whatever is on tap, Mashable will be there, which means you will be as good as there, too.  Have something to add to this story? Share it in the comments.
Apple set to deliver a new, affordable phone, the iPhone 5SE, and a bunch of upgrades at its March product event.