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The company is holding an event this afternoon in San Fransisco with the enthusiastic headline "Let's Rock", and although no official details have been given, the internet is awash with speculation and grainy images purporting to be leaked shots of upcoming products.

Kevin Rose, founder of the social bookmarking site Digg, posted on his personal blog what he claims is a picture of the upcoming fourth generation iPod nano, featuring a larger screen and an entirely aluminium, slightly oval body.

The iPod touch will also see small design tweaks according to Rose, and updated software which is expected to roll out to the iPhone at a later date once touch users have fulfilled their role as firmware guinea pigs.

Another widely expected update is to the MacBook range, which is due for a revamp if Apple's past product life cycles are to continue. Leaked pictures of a new MacBook Pro case have emerged, which sees minor cosmetic updates, and the updated standard MacBook is expected to be thinner.

iTunes update<

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The company is also expected to release version 8 of iTunes. Rumours circulating online this week suggest that Apple accidentally released a pre release version of the software via its website and quickly pulled it, but not before a few users got a look. Only vague details have emerged from these sly users, but Rose again steps in to work the rumour mill.

According to the entrepreneur the latest iTunes update will see a Genius sidebar appear on the right hand side of the application to recommend music from the iTunes store based on users' current musical preferences.

All you can eat

As well as an update to the application, some sources are claiming that there will be changes to the way that the company offers music to customers. A subscription based model could offer customers an unlimited amount of downloads for a monthly charge, and was hinted at by the company as early as March this year.

Also rumoured is a new type of application designed to complement music sales. Music Week has reported that Snow Patrol will be releasing an application offering videos, behind the scenes photographs and lyrics to fans who purchase the band's latest album.

"It will be an interactive element; a digital booklet that will take you into the videos and content," says Polydor product manager Liz Goodwin, speaking to the magazine.

The Apple event is being held tonight at 6pm, and we will be bringing you direct coverage.