Why else would the Apple Store go down other than to bring out a new product or service at the Apple press conference? We now expect something new to be revealed and possibly even sold right after the event, and our bets are on a new iPhone 4S and maybe even an iPod touch 5G.

Share your wishes in the comments, which could very well come true now that we got the traditional store by county page with phone numbers. Let us know what you want to appear in the next couple of hours. You may also want to keep up with the news as it breaks via out Facebook page, or choose a live blog via our earlier post.

We already know so much about the rumored MBA, but 9 to 5 Mac has revealed the specs of the new models. We had assumed that 4GB Ram would be standard across all four models, but that does not look to be true. Three models will come with an increase in RAM, but the entry-level 11.6-inch version will not. That version will come with a 1.6GHz processor, 2GB of RAM and 64GB SSD.

The next model up will offer the same CPU, but will have a spec bump to 4GB of RAM and 128GB SSD. As yet we have no pricing details, but we should expect them very soon. However, there is a chance to purchase an already made model online, this will cone with the faster 1.8GHz processor, the same RAM but double the storage to 256GB.

Next we have the 13.3-inch models. Again there are three options: a standard 1.7GHz, 4GB of RAM and 128GB SSD. The next model up just gets an increase to 256GB SSD, but the pre-made version online will have all the above, expect the faster 1.8GHz processor.

All of the processors mentioned above will be the Intel Sandy Bridge, and we also expect to see these new MacBook Air’s rocking Thunderbolt. However, the overall design will not change, although there is nothing wrong with this anyway.

When the Apple Store comes back up we not only expect to see the new MacBook Air and OS X Lion, but also a new Mac Mini and Server edition. There is to be two models, the base model will offer a 2.3GHz processor and just 2GB of RAM – which seems a little low to us. However, it will come with 500GB of storage.

The high-end model will see an increase to the CPU of 2.5GHz and double the RAM. The Server edition will only come with 2.0GHz, 2x 500GB hard drives and 4GB of RAM. Again we do not have any pricing details, but we should be able to provide this a little later today.

An article on Hotlink24h is reporting that rumors that the Apple Stores will have new signage to coincide with the annual Back To School promotion, and will be alongside the release of the new MacBook Air. The new MacBook Air with Sandy Bridge processors have been spoke about for a while now, and will be following the MacBook Pro by having the new processors inside.

It is not thought a bigger unit is part of the launch with the 13.3-inch remaining the biggest Air available. But other rumors circulating on the internet are suggesting that the new product being released on Wednesday will be an unlocked version of the iPhone.

Even if the next MacBook Air is not released this coming Wednesday it can’t be much longer for it to become available. Are you holding off buying a MacBook Air until a new one is released?

Mark Gurman from 9 To 5 Mac is reporting that Apple has been working on a major revamp on its retail stores, which the company has been working on for a while now. The plan was led by Apple CEO Steve Jobs as well as design Chief Jony IVE.

There will be new areas for personal setup called Startup Sessions with more interactive features. New signage is going to be another new feature, and instead of having paper signs next to each Mac there will be interactive iPads.

Some of the Apple Store locations are to get brand new displays which are said to be “huge”, as well as new sound systems. Meanwhile over at AppleInsider Neil Hughes is reporting that the stores have been getting big amounts of iPad 2s with Smart Covers. These are thought to be used by retail specialists and training will begin this weekend.

Today we have news that there have actually been fights due to the amount of people and the popularity of both the iPad 2 and the white iPhone 4. The news comes from an article at AppleInsider which reported that when the launch began on Friday a riot broke out.

The riot was allegedly between those tech fans that actually wanted the iPad 2 for themselves and scalpers hoping to get their hands on one in order to make a profit.

Although exact details of what happened are vague it is reported that the scalpers got physical with the Apple Store staff. Four people were sent to hospital and the store’s glass door was shattered. Check out the full article at AppleInsider by clicking the link above.

Did you manage to get your hands on and iPad 2 or White iPhone 4? Did anything like this happen at a store near you? Let us know in the comment s below.

Thomas Ricker from Engadget is reporting that we could be getting official confirmation of the iMac refresh from none other than Steve Jobs himself. This is thought to be happening around 8.30 a.m. Eastern Time.

There has been a lot of speculation about the new range of iMacs being released soon. Just over a week ago we had a report claiming that the 2011 range could be released the week beginning May 2nd. So this looks to be what’s happening.

We have speculated before that the next version of the iMacs could be getting the Sandy Bridge processors, and also the Thunderbolt technology. Many of our readers have said they were waiting to see what Apple would do with the range before purchasing an iMac. Maybe we might hear something about the MacBook Air range as well.

What do you hope to see from Apple?

You can go onto the Apple Store and get one online, or you can line up at AT&T or Verizon Wireless stores. Otherwise you can use one of the 236 Apple stores across the country. Sales start in the stores at 5p.m local time according to Matt Hamblen over at Computerworld.

AT&T and Apple will start online sales at 1 a.m. Pacific, with Verizon starting telephone sales at 5 p.m. Eastern time. If you have decided on the Wi-Fi only model your best bet will probably be Apple’s online store, or retail store. This is because AT&T and Verizon will only have the Wi-Fi and 3G versions.

Wi-Fi only models in both colors are the same as the original iPad, starting at $499 for 16GB of storage up to $699 for 64GB. The Wi-Fi +3G cost $130 more for each model from AT&T and Verizon. 26 other countries including most of Europe and Canada will have to wait until the 25th before they see the iPad 2.

If you decide to order online you have to take into account shipping times before you see your new device in your hands, but it is one way to avoid the queues.

Have you decide where to get your iPad 2 yet?

As reported from MacRumors, the tipoff has come from Twitter user Xavier Verhoeven, who stated in his message ‘Who wants White iPhone 4 codes?’. The codes in question are MC604X/A and MC606X/A, which relate to the 16GB and 32GB models of the White iPhone 4.

At the time of writing this, the Apple Store is still down at the moment, so something is obviously coming. It is far too early for the iPad 2 and we would usually know beforehand if Apple are planning a refresh to their Macbook Pro or iMac range.

Could we finally see the White iPhone 4 in stock and available to pre-order? – Let’s hope so. We’ll let you know what happens when the store does go back up again – stay tuned folks.

However, it looks as though there is good news on the horizon. According to an article by Chris Davies over at slashgear.com, users that have downloaded the updated v.1.1 of the Apple Store app have noticed a reservation option has now been added.

Although at this stage, its not allowing you to reserve either the 16GB or 32GB versions. Users are greeted instead with a message that says there are no white iPhone 4 reservations being taken due to high demand.

Do you think we will see the white iPhone 4 arrive before Christmas?

We have no idea what they are planning this time. Usually we are kept in the loop with new hardware when the Apple Store goes down, but this time, your guess is as good as ours.

It would be nice if Apple are planning to give a solid release date for the White iPhone 4, but that would be too generous wouldn’t it? If there is new hardware, it will probably be a refresh to their Macbook lineup, although Engadget also mention iTV (Apple TV) as well.

Whatever it is, you’ll be able to check when the Apple Store is back up and what is revealed, using this handy Twitter page. This lists all the latest updates on the Apple Store, so you’ll be the first to know if anything is announced.

What are your guesses on this one guys?