Apple unveiling latest gadgets today

In what has become an annual tradition, Apple CEO Tim Cook is expected to reveal details today on the next generation of iPhones.

While previous releases suggest only subtle refinements this year, Apple-watchers think the new features will include improved touch capacity that will give users different options — depending on whether you tap the phone, or give it a hard press.  Apple has sold a record 183 million iPhones in the nine months since releasing the iPhone 6 and 6 Plus, which have bigger screens than earlier models.

Also expected today is a redesigned Apple TV set-top box with new capabilities for apps and games, plus recognition of Siri voice commands to search for shows and retrieve forecasts and sports scores.

Siri will also get an overall upgrade in a release of iOS 9, expected next week, while transit directions will be added to Apple Maps for major cities.

In a catch-up to Samsung’s phones and tablets, a software upgrade is expected to allow existing iPads to run two apps side by side, or have video running in a small window within the main screen.

Apple is also expected to unveil a larger iPad for business users, but probably not until at least October.