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Apple in 2016: What we expect from new iPhones, iPads, Macs, & Apple Watch this year

Apple-2016-lineup-hero

With Apple’s big fall product launches behind us and the last of its 2015 lineup launching with the iPad Pro, we now turn our focus to what’s on deck for 2016. Should you buy a new Apple Watch, MacBook, iPad, or iPhone now? Or wait until Apple’s inevitable refreshes coming later this year?

Below we roundup all of our info on what we expect from the company this year, starting with a March Apple Watch 2 event through the much rumored 4-inch iPhone, new MacBooks, iPad Air 3, an Apple TV streaming service and much more…

Apple Watch 2 in March |

Apple Watch first went on sale in April of last year, and its second generation Apple Watch is currently scheduled for a similar timeline. An unveiling is currently scheduled for March 2016 based on our reporting and it will likely be the highlight of Apple’s first half of next year alongside other new product introductions at the event. 

apple-watch

We reported earlier this month that the company has internally scheduled a press event for March and that sources say it’s for Apple Watch and possibly other new Apple products. Possibilities for the new device include a FaceTime camera, more iPhone-independent features over Wi-Fi, sleep tracking, and health sensor technologies, but it’s always possible Apple will have a feature or two or new designer accessories. The product line last got a refresh in September when Apple released new straps and Sport model colors.

And if Apple goes ahead with these plans, the updated watch models would be ready to ship in April. But what else might we see at that event…

A 4-inch iPhone |

iPhone-6c-Render-Hero-1

 

Apple still has a ton of customers who want 4-inch phones and it isn’t going to continue to try to sell these users iPhone 5ses. If an alleged leaked roadmap from carrier China Mobile turns out to be legit, then Apple’s much rumored new 4-inch iPhone will arrive in April. That would make the March Apple Watch 2 event an ideal time to officially unveil the device publicly.

The iPhone 6c (or 7c), as it’s currently being referred to, is rumored to sport a smaller 4-inch display that Apple hasn’t used since the iPhone 5s. It will, based on several reports in recent weeks, sport upgraded specs over the iPhone 5s, however, including a 1642mAh battery, an A9 processor, 16GB of storage, Touch ID, and 2GB of RAM. So it will essentially be a metal, faster version of the 5c, but with rounded rather than squared edges to fit in with iPhone 6 design (something like our render above showing what the device might look like next to other iPhones in the lineup).

New Mac/Books |

macbook-air-sale

Apple upgraded most of its MacBooks recently, and also introduced its new 12-inch MacBook in 2015, but next year it could introduce an update to its extremely popular MacBook Air. According to reports, that might include a new 15-inch model and a thinner, redesigned form factor.

But what that means for the rest of the MacBook lineup remains to be seen. Where does would a new MacBook Air fit into a lineup with an upgraded Air and other MacBooks models, for example? It’s possible a few Retina MacBook configurations will be released and the MacBook Air line paired down, but you can likely expect to see the usual refreshes to other Macs this year as well with at least the typically upgraded internals. One thing you can expect to show up in Apple’s Macs this year: Intel’s upcoming Skylake processors. Expect performance and battery improvements courtesy of Skylake to be a highlight of upgrades this year. 

It’s likely we’ll see Macs in 2016 get USB-C and Thunderbolt 3 across the board as well as the new Intel chipsets. We expect the MacBook Pro to get updated early with Skylake, and USB-C ports that do Thunderbolt 3, alongside some other internal spec bumps. Heck, Dell already did it, and Thunderbolt 3 will make for a great opportunity to finally introduce an updated 5K Apple Thunderbolt Display.

iPad Air 3 |

apple-ipad-air-2-deal

The most recent reliable report on new iPads came from KGI analyst Ming-Chi Kuo. His report predicts an early 2016 released for an upgraded iPad Air based on supply chain sources. Apple upgraded its iPad mini model alongside the introduction of larger 12.9-inch iPad Pro in September, so the iPad Air is certainly next in line for the product category in terms of a refresh.

The iPad Air 3 is expected to include the usual upgraded internals but largely remain the same as the second-generation iPad Air in terms of design. But don’t expect Apple to bring its 3D Touch pressure sensitive touchscreen tech to the new iPad, as Kuo predicts it’s currently unlikely for the upgraded iPad Air 3 expected to arrive early next this year.

The timing would also make an upgraded iPad Air 3 a contender for stage time at Apple’s March event.

What else might we see from the iPad line? Following the launch of iPad Pro and its companion Smart Keyboard, we think Apple still has a lot of room for improvement in the keyboard arena for one. We’d like to see a clamshell version for all versions of the iPad. Also, price reductions (which are already happening at retail partners) and getting rid of the 16GB tier make a lot of sense. On the software side, making the iPad OS more like a desktop OS with more windowing options and a file browser/access makes a lot of sense, too, if Apple wants to continue to eat up computer maker market share with its tablet lineup.

iPhone 7 |

6s

Currently expected for its usual fall release timeframe, iPhone 7 will continue Apple’s relentless march towards thinner products with rumors of the headphone jack being ditched for Lightning only. Don’t worry Apple fans, the company will sell you a Lightning to 3.5mm headphone adapter for a reasonable price if you need that old set of wired headphones to work. And opening up Lightning for headphone makers a couple years back puts it in a good position to make the transition. Most people will be pushed to wireless headphones, of which Beats and those making Lightning headphones have plenty to offer. Will there be Beats Wireless headphones (or Lightning) in the iPhone 7 box? That’d be interesting!

In addition to losing the headphone jack and all that implies, I think Apple will again strive to improve the display perhaps (or perhaps not) with AMOLED. Apple’s display technology of choice on the Apple Watch could save battery life and give those pixel off blacks that Samsung and other Android makers have been bragging about for awhile. The display isn’t the only thing coming from Apple Watch however. I think Apple will go the next step on waterproofing and ruggedizing. While the iPhone 6s can withstand a lot of water, Apple doesn’t officially cover or claim any amount of waterproofing. Giving it IPX7 waterproofing would also a great excuse for the removal of the 3.5mm audiojack.

A technology that Apple should steal from Motorola is its unbreakable display. I’ve cracked the screens of 5 iPhones in my life both in and out of cases. This technology ends that. Apple should buy it from Motorola if it has to. It is a game changer.

Apple TV streaming service |

AppleTV-CBS-All-Access

Apple is planning its first TV streaming service of sorts, as Mark first reported last year. For now, Apple’s newly launched Apple TV 4 and App Store still requires logins to cable networks to unlock most content from TV networks, but a streaming service offered by Apple could see bundles of multiple television channels or paid video services in a monthly subscription. How exactly that will position Apple and Apple TV in terms of competing with other services from Amazon, Netflix and others remains to be seen.

And not just new Apple TV 4 owners will benefit. We reported Apple is planning on brining the service to older Apple TV 3 users as well, unlike the new Apple TV’s App Store and redesigned user experience, although plans could change depending on timing.

The Beats Go On |

Zane-Lowe-Studiio-Beats-1

Even the people running Apple’s new free, 24/7 live streaming radio station Beats 1 don’t know if it will prove to be an integral part of the Apple Music listening experience. But Apple does indeed have plans to expand the service that it makes accessible for free outside of Apple Music subscriptions and touts as a major differentiator of its service compared to competitors.

Beats 1 played host to on-air hosts Zane Lowe, Ebro Darden and Julie Adenuga, as well as shows from celebrity guest hosts, but what might Apple have planned for the Beats 2-5 trademarks it’s registered behind the scenes? The possible addition of other live streaming channels could mean Apple has plans to have a network of live streaming audio shows, not unlike competitors such as Sirius Radio.

There are lots of opportunities for other Beats channels beyond music— sports, talk, podcasts, news, etc—and Apple is already home for a lot of the most popular audio content creators via iTunes.

Apple Pay |

Square Apple Pay

As Apple continues to add more retailers, banks, and card issuers to the list of those officially supporting Apple Pay in the US, UK, Australia, and Canada, Apple is also doing work to bring the platform to more users as it plans a launch in one of its biggest markets, China. The service is scheduled to launch there as soon as this year through a partnership with local bank China Union Pay, and it’s likely Apple will look to bring Apple Pay to other markets this year as well.

Other advancements on the horizon for Apple Pay: Apple is reportedly interested in developing a person-to-person payment service, which in theory would allow it to offer money transfers between friends and family not unlike PayPal, Google, Square and other services.

Wild Card |

imac

Thunderbolt 3 means 5K video at high frame rates, so we think Apple FINALLY updates its Thunderbolt Display in 2016 with essentially the same look and display of the 27-inch iMac. Because it will be USB-C/Thunderbolt, which can also carry over 100W of power, it will require just 1 cable to go into the Mac/Book. Living the dream.

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Comments

  1. tomi2711 - 8 years ago

    Can’t believe that this website still thinks the Apple Watch has no iPhone independent WiFi. Hurts my eyes every time I read this.

    • taoprophet420 - 8 years ago

      Embedded SIM(eUICC) would be great to make it truly independent from an iPhone.

    • Jordan Kahn - 8 years ago

      It does for some features but not all. So it would be more iPhone-independent features over Wi-Fi. Clarified. Thanks.

      • dcj001 - 8 years ago

        “Kuo predicts is currently unlikely for the upgraded iPad Air 3 expected to arrive early next year.”

        iPad Air 3 is not expected to arrive early next year? Next year is 2017.

        Are you sure, Jordan?

      • o0smoothies0o - 8 years ago

        He’ll claim he wrote this before the new year, so you win and lose, he’ll edit I’m sure.

      • Jordan Kahn - 8 years ago

        Fixed. Thanks.

  2. taoprophet420 - 8 years ago

    The iPhone 7 has been rumored for several months to be released ahead of the normal September launch date. F course the 6s was supposed to also till it had component issues. The lastest rumors of the 7c(6c) was it would have rounded corners but more resemble the the 5s then the 6(6c) so the renders shown are useless. I don’t think they will have the ante a gaps.

  3. Doug Aalseth - 8 years ago

    OK going down the list

    AppleWatch 2: I’ll pass. Honestly while it’s gone from something I aggressively disliked, (and I still find the ad’s annoying), it has evolved into an intriguing product. That said, I see nothing they could add in the next several years that would make it worth a few hundred dollars to me. I’m just not the target market.
    4 inch iPhone 6c/7c: I’ll be very glad if they keep the 4 inch form around. However I’ll pass. My 5C does everything I need and likely will for a couple more years.
    Macs/MacBooks: It’s becoming clear that I may be updating “The Beast” this year. I have a 15 inch 2012 non Retina MacBook Pro with 16GB RAM and two internal hard drives totalling one and a half TB. I’m not doing IT work any more so it’s just way more than I need. Now that my wife has a 2014 MacBook Pro, The Beast feels huge. It weighs a ton. My wife wants to replace her secondary system, an ’08 MacBook so it would go there and I’ll update. If they have a 15 inch Air with Retina I think I’ll jump.
    iPad Air3: My iPad Air will do me for a couple more years so I’ll pass on this one too. At that point I’ll get a second or third generation Pro rather than an Air.
    iPhone 7: Pass, see above comments about the 4 inch iPhone.
    Streaming TV Service: We’ll see but at this point I suspect it wouldn’t come to Canada for a year or two after it’s released. As a result it’s not an issue.
    Beats: Pass. I get what I want from other services at no cost.
    ApplePay: Technically it’s in Canada, but American Express only. Until it’s on Master Card and more generally accepted (so far I have seen no signs saying that they accept it,) it’s useless for me.
    Wild Cards. I would like to see them update the Mac Pro and Thunderbolt Display. They are however not products I would be purchasing.

    • o0smoothies0o - 8 years ago

      Why would anyone care what you are or are not purchasing?

      • Doug Aalseth - 8 years ago

        From the article (very first paragraph in fact)
        “Should you buy a new Apple Watch, MacBook, iPad, or iPhone now? Or wait until Apple’s inevitable refreshes coming later this year?”:
        They asked the question, I answered with what my plans are. My point of view, which is after all the point of a Comments section.

      • Aunty T (@AuntyTroll) - 8 years ago

        Ignore o0smoothies0o -he’s an a1 bellend.

      • vandiced - 8 years ago

        LMFAO!!!!!

    • “My 5C does everything I need and likely will for a couple more years.”

      That’s assuming if iOS 10 will support the 5C. Apple stopped selling the 5C this year, so there’s no guarantee it’ll be eligible for an iOS 10 upgrade. And even if it does, the rumored 6C with A9, 2GB RAM, Apple Pay support, will be a huge and definite worthy upgrade from the 5C. If you love the 4″ form factor, I would do it.

      • Avieshek (@avieshek) - 8 years ago

        Try 6c ‘coz than u can say it’s sexy.. For the rest of u’r life

      • Doug Aalseth - 8 years ago

        True, it’s quite likely that iOS10 won’t run on the 5C, but if it still does what I need then no problem.
        My sister in law is running a 4 (not a 4S). Yes it’s a couple of revs out for iOS, but it’s still working. My brother just replaced the battery pack so she’s set for a few more years. Then there’s my 4th gen iPod. It was stuck on iOS 6 or 7, but it kept doing what I needed. I finally had to retire it last fall because the Apps I used started requiring later versions of iOS. Functionality is really my criteria for retirement.

  4. SKR Imaging - 8 years ago

    Apple Pay is not really supported in Canada.. only AMEX cards for now.. In Montreal, almost no one accepts AMEX cards.

    • Doug Aalseth - 8 years ago

      Apparently Canadian Tire accepts AmEx. Honestly though I haven’t even noticed any AmEx signs in the Nanaimo CT, let alone anything about ApplePay.

      • SKR Imaging - 8 years ago

        Most businesses do not accept AMEX in Montreal.

    • bounougod - 8 years ago

      That’s an exaggeration moon , I use it at least 3 to 4 times a week in Montreal.

      But yeah… MasterCard would be much better…

    • JBDragon - 8 years ago

      I’m sure the banks are fighting Apple over fee’s!!! Why it’s AMEX cards only right now, They’re their own bank. At some point, they’ll lose the fight.

  5. SKR Imaging - 8 years ago

    Thunderbolt 3 dispay woud really be a big seller.. many of the Mac users I encounter ask me if there is any news on a new display from Apple.. the 27 inch currently on sale is really getting long in the tooth.. it’s like buying a 2011 iMac in 2016… they actually changed the box art of the 27 in TB display to show YOSEMITE graphics so buyers feel it is a new device.

  6. ideabasekent - 8 years ago

    Spelling error – “bringing” on 2nd paragraph of Apple TV Streaming

  7. maxleopold - 8 years ago

    And what about MAC MINI ?!

    The current (Late 2014) Model still uses 4th Gen. ‘Haswell’ Processors
    and has not received the 5th Gen. Broadwell Chipset in 2015,
    therefore seems to be destined to receive a ‘Skylake’ Make-over in 2016.

    Alongside with faster RAM,
    perhaps a BTO Option for 32GB, or the return of User upgradeable RAM (?)

    faster 7200rpm Fusion Drive as Mid Tier Option and new PCIe/x SSD Chips

    as well as two USB-C / Thunderbolt 3 Ports,
    replacing the current MiniDisplayPort / Thunderbolt 2 Sockets.

    And of course 802.11ac wave2 WIFI & upgraded Bluetooth 4.2

    However Apple should not bother reducing the overall Form Factor
    and use the Space to separate USB3 and Bluetooth further from each other –
    or apply greater shielding, since USB3 has been proven to interfere with Bluetooth
    due to the electronic noise they release falling over the same operating band as Bluetooth.

    And for all Macs, support for the new Siri Remote –
    to be used
    for Keynote Presentations, Dictation or Siri on the Mac
    and
    perhaps API Access to 3rd Party Apps like Nuance Dragon 5
    or
    to run multiple Sets of Siri Remotes to play Games in Multi-Player Mode.

  8. o0smoothies0o - 8 years ago

    That ‘Unbreakable’ screen is worthless if it has high reflectance, and until the reflectance is known, there’s no reason to mention it.

  9. Robert Amour - 8 years ago

    Thunderbolt 3 only supports Displayport 1.2, not 1.3 which would be required for 5k Display on a single cable. This would leave apple 3 options.

    1. 4k Retina Thunderbolt 3 display – unlikely as it doesn’t align with the iMac resolution
    2. Go dual link 2 x thunderbolt 3 connections – thought they essentially did this with the Old 30″ Cinema display it’s highly unlikely they’d go for that inelegant solution now
    3. Wait for Thunderbolt 3.x with native Displayport 1.3 support 2017… maybe?

    As disappointing as that is I doubt a new Thunderbolt display will be landing soon.

  10. elme26bih - 8 years ago

    Waiting for a Ultrawide-Screen-iMac with 5K!

  11. MK (@MathiasMK84) - 8 years ago

    I’m definitely in for a new 15″ MacBook Pro this year. A 27″ 5K display to go along with it would be awesome as well.
    More interesting than any new iOS device however is iOS X itself for me and how powerful it is going to make the iPad Pro.

  12. Apple did not upgrade most of their MacBooks recently. The 15″ is still touting a CPU from 2013. Intel needs to get their shit together so they can roll out a new MBP worthy of the hefty price tag. CPU aside, really looking forward to TB3, and possibly 32GB RAM.

  13. bounougod - 8 years ago

    Thunderbolt 3 uses DisplayPort 1.2 still, for one cable 5k support TB 3 would need DisplayPort 1.3 I do believe, so unless Apple is ok with a 2 cable version of the 5k Retina display it’s going to need to wait another year.

    Mind you I’m not 100% sure so feel free to correct me if I’m wrong

  14. philips9179 - 8 years ago

    I think it’s necessary now for Apple to finally sort out iTunes on the Mac, separate out the iOS App Store, and put it into the App Store on the Mac together with all the other app stores eg watch, tv etc, and just keep iTunes on the Mac just for managing Music/Films/TV Programs, just like as it is on iOS at the moment.

    I also would like to see (although I’m dreaming) for apple release a chrome cast like device for quick connections to different sized monitors via AirPlay, and maybe, who knows, streaming media and games to another monitor from the Apple TV that’s on the same network, like the PlayStation 4 does at the moment.

    I would also like to see a usb-c/thunderbolt 5k monitor play nice with the Apple TV eg with peripheral connections and FaceTime etc

  15. pokecaptain - 8 years ago

    After seeing all of these articles that talk about the hopes for future products, I have to wonder: do the people at Apple look at what the media wants? Does someone in Cupertino read 9to5 and other websites as their job to gauge the public? Do these kinds of articles even influence their product decisions? The world may never know….

  16. Avieshek (@avieshek) - 8 years ago

    I expect OGS (One Glass Solution) LCD screen for the upcoming iPhone from the traditional TFT LCD display

  17. Inaba-kun (@Inaba_kun) - 8 years ago

    How about finally bringing Siri to OS X?

    Being able to browse and remotely deploy apps throughout the ecosystem would be nice too, and that should be done through the Mac App store (which would just become the app store), not iTunes.

    As for the next iPhone, I really, really hope Apple isn’t so stupid as to remove the headphone jack. Nobody likes dongles or adaptors, and besides, charging whilst listening to something is an essential feature too, especially in cars. Wireless headphones sound pretty awful and the current range is miserable. I just don’t see any upside to this, and I certainly don’t want the already far too thin iPhone to get any thinner.

    I hope the Apple TV sees radical improvement too. Obviously it’s still missing a lot of core streaming services, but it also needs Siri search in all apps (and a more fuller featured Siri overall), and better discoverability in the app store. Some good apps have been released since launch but good luck finding them in the app store. It isn’t even possible to display a simple list of all the streaming apps available. It must be hugely annoying for developers. Oh and a 4K Apple TV is a must too, for obvious reasons.

    • Paul Van Obberghen - 8 years ago

      Siri on the Mac would be nice, but that is on the software side which is not the subject of this article.
      I can see a problem having multiple devices in same proximity capable of answering to “Hey Siri” commands…

      • numtsi - 8 years ago

        Change the voice command to “Hey Mac” and you’re got to go :)

  18. Never thought I could or would, like an Apple watch. Mrs bought me one for XMAS and I was kind of put off tbh when I opened the present.

    Then day 1 ended, and I’m like this thing is amazing. I barely touch my phone anymore. Sports scores, News, emails, calls, weather, even my heart rate.. all on my watch. It even syncs via bluetooth with a wireless headset if you want to play music (stored on phone, or watch itself) and It just charges by resting it on its cable (magnetic no plugs).

    It reminds me of when I was a Nokia man and I always thought “i don’t need a smartphone”.. I didn’t buy one till the iPhone 3GS.. hahaha and was promptly blown away.

  19. Paul Van Obberghen - 8 years ago

    Nothing for the Mac Pro? Seriously in need of an update though, at all level.

    Some have speculated on a 14″ Retina MacBook, which would make alot of sense. Maybe a 17″ MacBook Pro. Perhaps with the Air becoming obsolete but staying as is for another year or two.

    For the iPad Air 3, I can see compatibilty with the Pencil and a Keyboard smart cover via side contact.

  20. okeribok - 8 years ago

    I’d love a 4″ phone in the form factor of the current iPod touch. But need at least 32G. Smaller screen should not mandate insufficient storage.

  21. k0jeg - 8 years ago

    Still happy with my iPhone 5s and Macbook Pro. Really like the features of the iPad Pro, hate the size of the thing. It looses a lot of the “handiness” of a smallish device that is easy to stuff in a bag or carry inconspicuously, especially if you add a case. If they roll out an iPad air 3 without pencil support or the keyboard connector I think I’ll be sitting it out again. The A9 processor isn’t enough of a selling point.

  22. John Ashman - 8 years ago

    I don’t understand the fascination with the MacBook Air. It seems like the MacBook has already “out-Aired” the Airs, making them obsolete conceptually. All we need is a few more MacBook sizes and new MacBook Pros. What I really want to see is a Mac Pro with dual hard drives, one SS for programs and OS, the other at LEAST 1TB standard for files. And a ton of connectivity.

    • rahhbriley - 8 years ago

      Ya that threw me off and was curious as to why no one else had mentioned.

      I think the Air is done frankly. And they should drop it from the iPad name too.

      Stop calling anything Air, Apple. It’s all f*ckin thin. If it’s not an Air then call it Pro or +.

    • barthrh (@barthrh) - 8 years ago

      The Macbook is quite a bit slower than the Air and noticeably pricier. At this time, there is a clear double-compromise of giving up both price and performance for size. If anything, the question is whether the Macbook is relevant with the iPad Pro now in play. If you’re willing to make that kind of performance compromise, the Pro will be more than ample (and probably outperforms the Macbook). It only comes up short on the amount of “desktop class” software which is probably not what Macbook users are using.

  23. uniszuurmond - 8 years ago

    Many of you will disagree, but I think Apple should rename iMac to Mac (it’s not an iDevice running iOS).

    Next, they should release a single 24″ model (the 27″ just feels too big, and the 21.5″ too small). They’ve dropped the top end screen size before with the MacBook Pro 17″.

    That would leave us with 3 desktop Macs: the Mac mini, the Mac 24″ and the Mac Pro (which may be mated with a 24″ Display).

    Lastly, rename OS X to macOS for Macs. Like iOS for iDevices. And watchOS, and tvOS. And because OS X 10.12 sounds really silly.

    • Doug Aalseth - 8 years ago

      Renaming the iMac would make sense, especially if they did a redesign of the form of the system. The design is essentially unchanged since 2004 with the G5 iMac. It too could use an update.
      Hmmm… Mac Mini, Mac, Mac Pro. I do kinda like the idea. Especially if they bumped the specs on the Mini.
      I’ve also suggested that they rename OS-X to macOS so it would conform with the watchOS, tvOS, iOS (carOS?) paradigm. I like the continuity it would provide across their product lines.

    • Inaba-kun (@Inaba_kun) - 8 years ago

      Once you get used to 27″, there’s no going back. It’s glorious. I have two 27″ displays now in fact.

    • elme26bih - 8 years ago

      I think you never worked on a 27″ iMac! It’s great!!!

      I hope Apple will release an Ultrawidescreen-iMac (21:9) with 5K (or more!?). Sitting and working in front of a big display is just amazing and you can be so focused on your work. Especially for media design, development, and so on.
      For me the split of the bezel between an iMac and the Thunderbolt-Display is really anoying. This is a (big) detail but I think it’s very important. It would be great if you’re running two or three apps in full-screen-mode. Just one amazing iMac with a huge display and that’s it. People would love it.

  24. uniszuurmond - 8 years ago

    I see a radical update in the MacBook line, with a single line of three sizes. The MacBook out now is very much the beta product, having a MacBook 12″, 14″ and 16″ is all we really need.

    The 12″ will be entry level and fanless. The 14″ will be mid level and could potentially also be fanless, and it will have two USB-C Thunderbolt 3 ports, with the powerful 16″ sporting 4 and being the most powerful.

  25. uniszuurmond - 8 years ago

    I don’t expect big moves on the iDevices, except that they may get a rebrand matching their sizes. Think iPhone S, M and L, representing 4″, 4.7″ and 5.5″. The iPads will follow in very similar fashion.

    One interesting change could be a move to a different material, possibly even carbon fibre, for all iDevices.

  26. “Most people will be pushed to wireless headphones”

    Says you. Guess again.

    Oh, and the iPad Pro stunk. Stopped working after 14 days.

  27. triankar - 8 years ago

    errrm, retina MBA and iPad mini / Air with Pencil support. Please!

    I bought my iPad mini 4 in November and I’ll be happy to switch even now, if one comes out with Pencil support. I’d even buy the Air 3, if it came out supporting it (even though I think it’s a bit too bulky for my tastes).

  28. rahhbriley - 8 years ago

    iPad Air 3 with Pencil support?

    Saw someone mention multiple Siri remotes for TV…I second the request.

    Frankly I’d love to use the Siri remote to control my Mac, iPhone and iPad as well. I’ll be in my bedroom folding laundry and I can use the remote to tell Siri to change the music on my stereo in the living room. I’d love to be able to tell the remote to “Text Hannah, Are you available for Dinner?” even though my phone is in the other room too.

    Another comment suggested Siri on Mac…a response to it brought up how it might start getting confusing with all of the devices taking Siri commands. I think elegant solutions could be developed and look forward to see how Apple solves. Maybe, “Hey Siri, turn down the display brightness on my Mac” or maybe all devices Siri’s, when on same wifi or Bluetooth range, communicate and figure out which device is being used, moved, etc. or frankly maybe Siri asks you to clarify device if she is confused or maybe we set a “master” device?….”Siri, turn down the display brightness” [Would you like me to turn down the brightness of this iPad or your Mac?] idk…there’s something here.

  29. trilliondollartv - 8 years ago

    I’m more interested in developments AROUND the iOS ecosystem, like NFC car and house keys, so in addition to Apple Pay we can have Apple Key. It would double Apple Watch sales and boost market share of the cars that support it. Waterproofing the iPhone 7 and Apple Watch 2nd Edition will make sense when they are your keys.

    Apple spent 3 billion dollars on Beats to extend its dominance in music. Switching to digital headphones seems like the logical next step. Repositioning CarPlay as a premium audio system, and leveraging Mastered for iTunes to optimize audio for each car interior would give Apple an edge that no one could counter. (For many people, their car is their best listening environment.) Apple should buy a chunk of Harmon to get a partner inside of most high-end cars quickly, but open the same functionality to other audio vendors. They should also create the same kind of vertically integrated high-end audio for the home around the Apple TV 4. Brand the service as a Beats product.

  30. William Christenbury - 8 years ago

    how on earth would you charge the Iphone 7 while you listened to music with headphones if you used the lightning connector to connect to the headphones? or also if you used the adapter lightning to 3.5mm you would also not be able to charge it and listen to it at the same time.. say if you were listening to music in your car using the ligntning to 3,5mm into your car? I really hate this idea! first of all apple music is less than 320mbs now to begin with. so until they change that it would be really no point to make a better interface with your headphones.. also i reminds me of the 1st gen iphone that had a non standard headphone jack to begin with that you had to use an addapter to allow any headphones to fit!! REMEMBER HOW BAD THAT Sucked!!?

  31. RP Photography By Design - 8 years ago

    Do you not think apple updates there products to quickly!? for starters iv only just got the apple iWatch costing me £1000 so to bring in a refresh only after a year, doze that not push people away from purchasing there products.

    Don’t get me wrong i love there stuff and I’m heavenly invested in to them, but even the iPhone seems to be every year but with only small updates so why not make it every 2 years so we can get our money out of the products we have purchased.

  32. Magnus Hedemark - 8 years ago

    How about a Mac Mini with M.2 NVMe storage, Skylake processors, and 32GB max RAM?

  33. jsmallz - 8 years ago

    tvOS needs to push an alert, for a call, txt, or email on your phone similar to ATT Uverse on tv’s. If ATV4 doesn’t already, as I know ATV3 does not. Maybe have a mute status option with it, if your enjoying a show. Maybe it could show you the alerts when you return to the home menu.

Author

Avatar for Jordan Kahn Jordan Kahn

Jordan writes about all things Apple as Senior Editor of 9to5Mac, & contributes to 9to5Google, 9to5Toys, & Electrek.co. He also co-authors 9to5Mac’s Logic Pros series.