Security is tight around college campus that will host Apple’s event

On the eve of its big event, security was tight at the venue where Apple is expected to unveil the iPhone 6 and other new products.

At DeAnza College in Cupertino, Calif., large sections of the campus were blocked off by barriers. Security is always tight at Apple affairs, but the company is building a huge white structure in the middle of a plaza in front of the historic Flint Center, the auditorium on the community college campus where Apple founder Steve Jobs first unveiled the Macintosh computer in 1984. Jobs also introduced the iMac at the Flint Center in 1998, so the historical significance of the place is big for Apple.

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Security officers in glowing vests weren’t letting any observers near the plaza. A sign said, “No trespassing. Private event.” Only people with badges — presumably Apple employees or vendors doing last-minute preparations — were allowed inside the place. Apple is notorious for its tight security, but lots of stories have leaked news about the expected products, the iPhone 6 and possibly the iWatch fitness gadget. Apple has sold almost 500 million iPhones since the first one went on sale in 2007.

About a dozen hours from now, it’s not going to be private anymore as the technology press and technorati of Silicon Valley converge on the location. Apple’s current headquarters campus is just a short distance away, and its future home, which features a giant circular glass building, is also close by in Cupertino.

Big trucks with satellite dishes, generators, and big trailers are parked near the trees that border the Flint Center. Don’t even think about barging into the press conference to grab an iPhone 6. In fact, if you’re smart, you should already be camping out an Apple store. VentureBeat’s Mark Sullivan, Dylan Tweney, and I will be on site to cover the launch. We’ll have more people watching on the stream and writing stories from afar.