Apple 
 
 Apple's "Let us loop you in" event takes place later today. The company is rumoured to be introducing a new, smaller, iPhone, updated iPads and more. 
 
 Here's what you need to know before the event kicks off this afternoon (10am PDT, 5pm GMT). 
 
 What to expect? 
 
 The event is likely to see the launch of a new entry-level iPhone. The phone, according to rumours, is potentially going to be called the iPhone SE, with the SE standing for "special edition". 
 
 The new 4-inch iPhone, similar in size to the iPhone 5 and 5S, will most likely have an improved camera, an A9 processor, Touch ID and Apple Pay. Essentially, according to speculation, the phone will have closer capabilities to the 6 and 6S but be squeezed into a smaller handset. 
 
 It's also likely the company will reveal an updated iPad Air 3. An improved model could be thinner and come in different colours, including rose gold. In the spirit of shrinking technology, a new smaller iPad Pro could be unveiled and the Apple Watch could receive some new straps. 
 
 Apple has given very little indication to what will definitely be included in the announcements. It's invitation to the event simply read: "Let us loop you in". 
 
 There may also be a nod to security features of Apple's products. The event has been scheduled the day before Apple and the FBI go head-to-head over their encryption disagreements in US courts. The company will also issue an update to its latest operating system, iOS 9.3, after US researchers found a vulnerability in the encryption the company uses. 
 
 Getty Images 
 
 When does it start? 
 
 The event is due to start at 10am Pacific Time, which means 5pm GMT. 
 
 Where to watch? 
 
 You'll need to be running iOS or OSX to watch the announcement. Windows 10 is also supported through Microsoft's Edge browser. The event will be live-streamed on Apple's website. If watching on iOS you'll need to be running Safari on iOS 7.0 or later. Mac users will need Safari 6.0.5 or later on OS X v10.8.5 or later. Watching on Apple TV requires Apple TV 2nd, 3rd or 4th generation with software version 6.2 or later. 
 
 If you're not able to watch the event live you can keep up with all the latest here on WIRED and by following us on Twitter. ||||| Apple's media invite for an event on March 21. (Photo: Apple) 
 
 Apple confirmed Thursday it will host an event on March 21 where it is widely expected the tech giant will unveil a smaller iPhone. 
 
 The event will take place on Apple's campus in Cupertino, Calif., according to an invite sent to media on Thursday. The event takes place the day before Apple returns to federal court in its battle over an FBI request to unlock an encrypted iPhone used by one of the killers in the San Bernardino, Calif., shootings. 
 
 Multiple media reports suggest Apple will introduce an iPhone with a 4-inch touchscreen, smaller than its current iPhone 6S and 6S Plus, which feature screens of 4.7 inches and 5.5 inches respectively. 
 
 The launch of a new iPhone model comes at a critical time for Apple, as sales of its flagship device are showing signs of a slowdown. Last quarter, Apple revealed sales of the iPhone were flat, and warned they will trend lower during the current quarter. 
 
 Apple is also expected to reveal a smaller version of its iPad Pro tablet. The device would feature a 9.7-inch touchscreen, the same size as Apple's iPad Air. 
 
 Follow Brett Molina on Twitter: @brettmolina23. 
 
 Read or Share this story: http://usat.ly/1piycrR ||||| Apple is holding a product launch event today, on Monday March 21, at which it is expected to release a new range of products, including a new 4-inch iPhone, a smaller version of the iPad Pro, and a new set of designs for the Apple Watch. 
 
 • iPhone SE release live: new features and updates from Apple's launch event 
 
 Apple's iPhone release cycle is always one of the biggest tech events of the year, and 2016 looks set to see two new handsets - starting with the iPhone SE today and the new flagship, the iPhone 7. 
 
 It is highly unlikely the iPhone 7 will launch today, as Apple usually launches major next-generation iPhones in September. 
 
 What is the iPhone 7? 
 
 While the iPhone SE launching today is expected to be a smaller, more affordable handset aimed at developing smartphone nations, the iPhone 7 will be the next generation of major iPhone release. 
 
 Apple was criticised for focusing on software updates with the release of the iPhone 6s last September rather than making radical hardware overhauls, meaning the 6 and 6s cycles look identical, bar the introduction of the rose gold shade.
– Analysts say Apple will unveil a smaller, more affordable iPhone, probably dubbed the iPhone SE, with similar features to the iPhone 6 at its Silicon Valley headquarters on Monday. Rumors are also swirling about a smaller iPad Pro, an updated iPad Air 3, and new designs for the Apple Watch, per USA Today and Wired. Yet with "no hints of any dramatic announcements"—the iPhone 7 is predicted for release in September, per the Telegraph—the event "doesn't seem to be stirring much passion," reports the AP. Experts estimate only 12 million units of a new 4-inch iPhone will sell this year, compared to 265 million units of the iPhone 6 sold in the last two years. The event kicks off at 1pm EDT.