Will The Beatles be part of the September 9th event?

So speculation this morning is buzzing as claims are made Apple plans a special music-focused event on September 9 - and yet again there is some some small coincidences to suggest The Beatles could be part of this all-new music product launch.  (Yes, this rumour yet again)

We know to expect new iPods, with the iPod touch and nano possibly equipped with cameras. We also know to expect a new and more socially-connected iteration of iTunes; we hope for some news on the Apple TV and you’ll note tablet speculation has gone down a notch or two on the news that product won’t be showing its face next week.

But the Beatles may well be: think this through. Apple’s event is on September 9 - we’re not sure where at this point, but we do note the Yerba Buena Center for the Arts is open for business on that date - and, mysteriously for Apple’s most beloved local hall - has nothing scheduled for September 9.

Did we mention the Beatles? Well, apart from remaining digital music’s chief stand-outs and presumably the most file-shared musical ouvre on the planet, the band has a game coming out next month. Rock Band. When’s it ship? September 9. Is there a connection forming here?

We’ve buzzed up the increasingly positive relationship between Apple and the games developers before. And we can’t imagine Apple Corps. and Apple Inc. aren’t on speaking terms - after all a huge sum of money changed hands in settlement of the trademark battle between the two firms.

Also Paul McCartney is an iPod user, with Macs in his recording studio, and indeed gave all the crew who joined him on a US tour a year or two back iPods.

So over to the Beatles “people”: “Apple Corps Ltd. and EMI Music have announced the release of the original Beatles catalog, which has been digitally re-mastered for the first time, for worldwide CD release on Wednesday, September 9, 2009 (9-9-09), the same date as the release of 'The Beatles: Rock Band' video game.

Note the date - is Rock Band coming to iPhone? Or are we seeing the first sight of Apple’s much talked about “Cocktail” project? Back to the loveable Liverpool mop-tops, “Each of the CDs is packaged with replicated original UK album art, including expanded booklets containing original and newly written liner notes and rare photos.

“For a limited period, each CD will also be embedded with a brief documentary film about the album. On the same date, two new Beatles boxed CD collections will also be released.”

“Within each CD's new packaging, booklets include detailed historical notes along with informative recording notes. With the exception of the 'Past Masters' set, newly produced mini-documentaries on the making of each album, directed by Bob Smeaton, are included as QuickTime files on each album. The documentaries contain archival footage, rare photographs and never-before-heard studio chat from The Beatles, offering a unique and very personal insight into the studio atmosphere.”

So, we’re asking - are the Beatles going to join Apple for what we all hope will be a Steve Jobs-led product introduction? Will he be flanked on stage by McCartney and Ringo Starr? We know this would be a high point for Jobs, a great way to return to the keynote fold, a career affirming moment even if he doesn’t.

Or the dates could be a coincidence.

All eyes will be watching with great interest in the coming week.