In summary:
- Macworld reports Apple’s invitation-only Creator Studio event on January 28 could coincide with new M5 Pro and M5 Max MacBook Pro releases.
- The Los Angeles event appears designed to showcase AI features in professional creative apps like Final Cut Pro and Logic for content creators.
- This timing suggests Apple may announce the new MacBook Pros via press release alongside the Creator Studio launch targeting creative professionals.
Earlier this month, Apple announced its new Creator Studio, a bundle of its professional creative apps, along with some new features for the included apps (Final Cut Pro, Logic, and more). Creator Studio will officially launch on Wednesday, January 28, and apparently, Apple is holding a special invitation-only event to commemorate the release.
According to “Creatorpreneur” Petr Mára on Instagram, he’s one of the people invited to the event. He posted the invitation on his Instagram account on January 7, but it’s only now been picked up by the media.
Not only does it seem odd that it’s only being noticed now, but there doesn’t seem to be any other media influencers posting about the event. Apple has held similar events in the past in Los Angeles, specifically for social media personalities, so the event itself is not unusual. In fact, Mára was at a similar event for M4 Macs on October 30, 2024, in Los Angeles, so he’s done this before. But apparently, all the other invitees have decided to keep quiet about next week (it’s not clear if the invitation was issued with an embargo).
The Apple icon in the invite is in the style of the other Creator Studio icons, and since Los Angeles is known for entertainment, the event will likely focus on the Creator Studio apps and showcase the new AI features. Apple does not broadcast Apple Experience events, but the venue is geared toward influencers to create videos for their platforms, so if you want to see what the event is all about, check out YouTube, Instagram, TikTok, and other social platforms.
While the pro apps take center stage, such an event also seems like a perfect time for Apple to release the M5 Pro and M5 Max MacBook Pros. I previously speculated that the release would happen on January 28 (I could be a day off), and since the Creator Studio audience and the audience for these laptops are the same, it just makes sense. If it does happen, don’t expect a flashy demonstration of the laptops. Apple will announce the new laptops with a website refresh and press release promoting the speed improvements and the new ability to customize the CPU and GPU configurations.
While we wait for the event next week, you can catch up on the M5 Pro and Max MacBook Pro rumors and learn about the capabilities of the new chips.
Author: Roman Loyola, Senior Editor, Macworld
Roman is a Macworld Senior Editor with over 30 years of experience covering the tech industry, focusing on the Mac and other products in the Apple ecosystem. He is also the host of the Macworld Podcast. His career started at MacUser, where he received Apple certification as a repair technician (when Apple did that kind of thing). He's also worked for MacAddict, MacLife, and TechTV.