MacBook Pro 2016 release date, specs rumors: New MacBook Pro unveiling on Oct. 27?

Tech industry insiders are anticipating a major announcement from Apple, possibly the unveiling of the rumored MacBook Pro 2016, later this month.

According to 9to5 Mac, the fact that Apple recently changed the date of its upcoming quarterly earnings call from Oct. 27 to Oct. 25 is a major clue that it is gearing up to unveil its latest products, including the new MacBook Pro, on the later date.

The outlet notes that Apple wouldn't move its quarterly earnings call without a major reason and theorizes that the tech giant could have done so to clear the date for a keynote event on the 27th. 9to5 Mac and other tech blogs now suggest that this move is aimed at softening the blow of what is likely to be bad news during the earnings call.

MacWorld notes that Apple itself has warned its investors to prepare for disappointing iPhone sales in the fourth quarter of 2016. A major product unveiling two days later should get peoples' minds off this announcement.

Last month, MacWorld reported that a recent email from Apple CEO Tim Cook may have pointed to an imminent MacBook Pro 2016 launch. In an email to an unnamed Apple fan, Cook reportedly confirmed that the company is committed to its Macs and said that fans should "stay tuned" for news about the Mac line.

9to5 Mac suggests that a MacBook Pro 2016 launch on Oct. 27 could be accompanied by the unveiling of a new iMac and new MacBook Airs.

As for the specs of the rumored MacBook Pro 2016, recent reports suggest an OLED touchscreen, Skylake processors, AMD's Polaris GPU and a Touch ID power button.

Tech Radar notes that though reports of a possible detachable touchscreen and/or a touchscreen keyboard on the new MacBook Pros have been making rounds all year, the main improvement likely to come to the new Macs are new processors. New Skylake chips should increase the laptop's speed and improve its battery life.

As with all upcoming Apple products, the MacBook Pro 2016 is expected to come sans the traditional 3.5-millimeter headphone jack, which was replaced by a ightning connector in the iPhone 7. The rumored MacBook Pro 2016 is expected to incorporate USB 3.1 Gen 2 ports.