After months of rumors and speculation, Apple will officially hold its March event this coming Monday, the 21st. We’ve shared our comprehensive run down of everything that will be announced at the event, and we already know that Zac will be “upgrading” to the iPhone SE. We’re curious, though, what are you most excited to see at Apple’s “Let us loop you in” press event next week?
As Mark detailed in his massive roundup of everything set to come at the event, Apple has a lot up its sleeve. The biggest and most highly anticipated announcement is expected to be the iPhone SE.
The iPhone SE is expected to return Apple to the 4-inch iPhone market and feature a design nearly identical to that of the iPhone 5, but with slightly curved edges and more modern specifications. The biggest difference, aside from screen size, between the iPhone SE and the iPhone 6s will be the lack of 3D Touch, which some have argued isn’t a very big loss.
Furthermore, we’re expected to see Apple branch out its iPad Pro lineup to include a new 9.7-inch model, as opposed to an iPad Air 3. The smaller iPad Pro is expected to feature an A9X chip, Smart Connector support, and Apple Pencil capabilities. Apple is also set to introduce a smaller Smart Keyboard to go alongside the smaller iPad Pro.
As far as the Apple Watch goes, Apple will introduce a black Milanese loop for the wearable, as well as new NATO-style nylon bands, and perhaps a new partnership with Hermès to expand the existing lineup of bands.
Apple is also expected to introduce the stable versions of iOS 9.3, Mac OS X 10.11.4, watchOS 2.2, and tvOS 9.2, all of which include their fair share of enhancements, as well as an update to iTunes.
Personally, I am most excited to see the 9.7-inch iPad Pro. I purchased the 12.9-inch model when it came out last November, and while I’ve enjoyed using it, Apple just hasn’t done enough with the software to make it worth the added weight and size over the 9.7-inch model, nor has it done enough to make it a plausible alternative to my 12-inch MacBook.
After spending some time with the larger iPad Pro, I broke down a handful of things Apple could do to improve the software experience on the device, but at this point, I think I would be much better off with the 9.7-inch model. The one thing that differentiated the iPad Pro from the iPad Air 2 was Apple Pencil support, but now that it’s coming to the 9.7-inch form factor, I just don’t have a good reason to own the 12.9-inch model.
While the iPhone SE is almost certainly going to be the star of the show, I’m not too keen on the idea of using a phone with a design that’s so dated. I also really don’t have any reason to go back to the 4-inch form factor. I’ve become accustomed to the size of my iPhone 6s Plus over the past 6 months and my hands are large enough to where one-handed use is not too uncomfortable.
Be sure to take a look at Mark’s detailed rundown of everything coming at Apple’s March 21st event, and let us know in the poll above and the comments below what you’re most excited to see officially announced.
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The iPhone 5SE looks attractive,specially since my 6plus isn’t pocket friendly “those god forsaken bezels give me cancer”.
My eyes hurt whenever I look at these bezels .. made me buy new “Space Gray – black front facing” iPhone.
Loop – Apple’s FitBit?
interesting… maybe al those early Apple watch fan concepts will come to fruition.. watch bands that have a flexible screen on them.. But seriously, I have a feeling that it could be a new Apple Watch 2 device that Apple has kept under strict wraps (maybe even 2 devices — Apple Loop and Apple Watch 2– … remember first Watch was announced in April last year so time frame seems to point to next Monday.
Nah, but maybe smart bands that connect to the watch? The third party band with ECG functionality is particularly exciting.
I think health app sync, maybe vibration for phone notifications. PhoneSE & Loop (WatchSE). Those excited about cheaper small phones go hand in hand with cheaper smaller wrist device. :)
I guess I’m one of those few people who really want iTunes refresh (1) iOS apps ( 2 ) iTunes / apple music as two separate apps.
Last one will most likely never happen. I’d say the chances are bigger that Apple Music will get an even more prominent representation and slowly start to replace the old offline music functionality…
If the polls have any indication on future sales, I think both IPad and iPhone sales will have an overall yearly increase bigger than what the analysts have been suggesting.
I’m still on the fence on whether or not to buy an iPad Pro or the upcoming iPad 9.7 model. I do play video games on my current iPad and the bigger screen is well, just a better experience. Plus, having more real estate for split screen apps is also a nice addition to the screen size. But I’m still at that “i don’t know which one to buy yet”.
Not even a remote possibility that a new MacBook 12 inch could be announced, considering its 1 year birthday?
The design of the 6 series looked dated from the moment it was out. The 5s still looks as sharp as ever.
I just hope it looks like a 5s and not the 6 in any way shape or form
iOS9.3
Voted watch bands, because it is likely the only items I would buy (updated TV, phone and iPad in 2015). That said, I’m curious about all of these. I especially think the phone and iPad are good direction for Apple. Cheap, mostly capable tablets atre ubiquitous. A high end midsize tablet may be what Apple needs to stabilize sales and or encourage upgrades. In a similar vein, there are a lot of users interested in a good quality 4 inch phone, and if Apple can offer it at a slight discount, or cut the price on the 5s, we should get a nice little boost to sales – especially a cheaper 5s in developing markets.
I want a 15″ MacBook with 16 gb RAM please.
Hello from a 15″ MacBook Pro with 16GB of RAM… (I assume you want the MacBook form factor though as you left off the “Pro”)
Yep. Though the 2015 MBP is fantastic indeed and I would miss the iconic glowing logo (I hope it’s not gone forever), but I don’t need the ports, would like something less weighty, and I prefer the new keyboard and color options.
I remember the days when Apple used to make computers.
iPhone, Apple Watch, Apple TV aren’t computers?
How’s the Photoshop running on your Apple Watch? And how’s your trolling?
The Apple Watch is a ‘dumb terminal’ that requires an iPhone. It is fancy expensive jewelry, nothing more. I have only seen a handful of people wearing an Apple Watch, compared to thousands of people using an iPhone. It is really amusing when you see the small percentage of people wearing an Apple Watch, but using their iPhone instead. Walk into an Apple Store and no one is looking at them. That is why the Apple Watch is in the ‘other’ category on their financial reports.
Tim Cook’s resignation.
moron.
“Tim Cook’s resignation.”
I love posts like this. There is no better way to identify those that shouldn’t invest without parental supervision.
Between the Trashcan Pro, massively overpriced and underperforming MacBook, the joke of a watch, the utter mess the Apple Music version of iTunes made of many peoples’ music libraries, the fact that the most capable Mac Mini was introduced in 2012 and that Apple has decided that expandability is unimportant, I expect nothing but continued disappointment.
Apple needs to have another visionary to come in and shake up the company the way Jobs did back in the late 90s. Cook, Ive & Company have made a mess of Apple.
Hey guys! I’ve found Samsung’s marketing department.
Go away.
Exactly someone like you .. typing stupid comments on people who led one of the most successful companies in history.
I’ve been an Apple user for over 30 years so I have a long history watching them throughout their bad times and good times. I was mostly happy while Jobs ran the company but have been watching it deteriorate since Cook took over. Their last innovation was the iPhone and the iPad and Apple watch have merely been derivatives of that innovation. Cook turned Apple into a phone manufacturer and let the computer division stagnate. If you people can’t see that, then you have a very shortsighted view of Apple.
Maybe you don’t like hearing it, but the bad times are returning. Take off the rainbow colored glasses, drop the kool-aid and take a long hard look at the history of the company. We’re back in the Sculley-Spindler times. Cook should take a hint from Gil Amelio and find someone qualified to run Apple.
But… the iPhone actually came from their research into making the iPad. You’re confused.
R&D is one thing, an actual product is another. The elements are all the same, a touchscreen interface on a simplified version of OS X. People had been begging for an iPod/cellphone combination for years and were even calling it the iPhone so Jobs shelved the tablet project and concentrated on the device people were actually asking Apple to build. Smart guy.
How about a working version of iTunes for Windows… It’s been like 4 years of Frankenstein bolt-ons making it officially the most bloated windows application every. piece of crap. doesn’t even work with Windows 10 which came out nearly a year ago.
Don’t feel bad, it sucks on the Mac too.
The new iPad will be a smaller version of the iPad Pro… There will be no new features or technology to discuss.
The new iPhone will be a smaller version of the current iPhones… There will be no new features or technology to discuss. At most, the suspense will be what features/spec didn’t make it on the smaller iPhone.
The new versions of iOS, tvOS, watchOS and OS X are available now as betas and are pretty much finalized (or close to it).
Any new Watch bands will not take advantage of the hidden port or feature any new features or technology. If an official Black Milanese (as opposed to 3rd party ones that have been out for a while) gets you excited, this event will be right up your alley.
I’m not bashing any of these products. I think they’ll be very successful, each and every one of them. But I do think the keynote won’t reveal anything that we haven’t seen before, with one possible exception…
A much improved iTunes.
As much as I’m looking forward to the new 4 inch phone, I think there has to be a surprise up Tim Cook’s sleeve.
Maybe…
New line of ‘Beats’ audio product?
Re-invented iPod that’s designed for Apple Music and never needs a desktop/iTunes?
Health sensor band?
Person to person Apple Pay that holds money in an Apple account?
Digital Driver’s licenses?
Education and business support on iPad?
A new Apple Watch material?
Nothing, maybe the iPad. What I really want to see is a new MacBook Pro 15″
They should sort out the mess that is iTunes/Apple Music. On win/OS X iTunes is a bloated mess, and on iOS the absurdity not being able to add music to my Apple Music library whilst browsing iTunes is insane. So I find an album I want, then I have to repeat the same search again in the music app. How about I just search once Apple? Then you give me the option of adding it to my library or if it isn’t on Apple Music, I can just buy it.
I’d like them to fix the podcasts app too. The UI is horrible (was way better in iOS 8), syncing between devices is still completely broken, and the iPad version can’t even play video full screen. (Seriously, it sticks all video in a tiny window)
As for the Apple TV, it needs content deals more than anything else. (Well, Siri search for all apps would be nice) Make friends with Amazon, plug that gigantic, gaping void in the app line up. Persuade Google to port the modern looking YouTube app that they have on every other streaming box. Actually push every provider which has an ugly Apple TV 3 ported “app” to produce something more attractive and useful, and most importantly – talk to non US providers to finally get some local content. The UK is a big market but the Apple TV 4 is as nearly as much of a joke here as the 3 was.
An upgraded Apple Watch 2 would be very welcome. The first one really is way too slow.
The only things I want are not on this list but are well over due! Mac Pro refresh, MacBook Pro refresh, and a Cinema Display refresh (and redesign hopefully with 4k)… I’d also love a new Apple Watch design.
actually, i am excepted to see the new macbook
All the israelis are want siri in hebrew votes iOS 9.3 XD
I’m waiting to see (probably to no avail) in IOS: subfolder refresh in Mail.app, download / upload any file in Safari, Siri in Finnish (Google Now works flawlessly in Finnish, or Apple too poor or too unresourceful to add Finnish?), multi-user support, Quick Type in Finnish (Android has had this for years), a customizable control center, a Notification Center with full customization options like the ability to arrange notifications chronologically. In OSX I would like handoff and continuity fixed as they break down from time to time, although I love the concept. I guess on the hardware side Apple could just put at least 3 Gb of RAM in every device. It’s pretty lame to use a 600 euro tablet and find out for example that 3-4 open tabs in Safari is enough to get them refreshed every time you use them. It is probably a bad idea to start the phone / tablet device line-ups with 16 Gb default capacity (128 Gb SSD and 4 Gb of RAM in MacBook Air base models is similarly depressing). It’s good for the business for sure, but for consumers that is a bad deal. The unfortunate thing is that less tech-savvy consumers buy the cheapest models available and the user experience is sub-par. You can imagine someone taking just a few videos with their phones and the storage is full. Then people need to buy iCloud storage and this is more than infuriating to customers who supposedly bought an easy-to-use Apple premium product. This RAM issue is particularly strange as Apple could easily stomp the chip price to a level that it would be insignificant to the company’s margins. Lastly Apple Watch needs GPS, the user has the brains to turn it off if battery life is at stake.
iTunes – It really needs to be overhauled. Personally, I would like to see the iTunes Store be moved to the web and be usable with any web browser. Not just to see what is available but to also make purchases and play/listen to your purchases. Then have a single but small app called iTunes Sync, used for backing up and syncing i-devices. Don’t bother with apps for any media playback, just use the website for that. This would bring iTunes in line with services from Google and Amazon.
Nothing of real interest here. Apple, Post-Jobs, is innovating itself into obscurity. Rather than providing the products that customers want/need; they seem bent on the aesthetics of making products “insanely thin” with virtually no I/O ports. The latest Mac Laptops; sure they are thin and have decent power (but overpriced compared to their competition); but I want to be able to utilize full-sized USB, Ethernet, and other accessories WITHOUT having to lug along a bunch of dongles / port adapters. Now, the idea of making iPhones thinner, by eliminating the audio Jack is Absurd! Do I just throw out my expensive studio-quality headphones & Earbuds? What happens when I want to listen to music (without Bluetooth); but need to charge my battery at the same time. (After all; it would be inconceivable for Apple to actually make the iPhone slightly thicker and provide a decent battery.) The Apple Watch is a nice product; but way overpriced, compared to the competition. More importantly, it’s feature list isn’t compelling enough to push large sales. Besides, it is a WATCH. Who had the brilliant idea of producing a watch, that you have to charge every single night? Want to buy the watch to measure biometrics, while you sleep? Forget about it, you have to take it off to charge, while you sleep. All rumors of Apple Watch V2 point to minimal enhancements; with virtually no focus on battery life. I considered going the Apple Watch route; but chose the far more flexible route of Blocks, via Kickstarter. It won’t have the fancy display; but at least I can configure it with the functions I want (including an additional battery module). It’s well past time for Tim Cook to go and to brink in someone with vision and drive to push innovation.
I would like to see Apple Pay Merchant, Bank and Country additions.
On the banking side, in the UK, Barclays has promised Apple Pay and we are in their 60 to 75 day window from a January announcement. Given that they are the number 2 UK bank that would be significant enough for this event.
For countries, expansion in Canada to include more than Amex such as Interac would be key. Full Mastercard/Visa integration with TDS, RBC, BMO, CIBC, Bank of Nova Scotia, the Big Five would be huge.
There have been rumors about Switzerland, France, Japan, Taiwan, Brazil and Germany along with AmEx’s expansion to Singapore and Spain expected this year.
Announcements of Chinese adoption and merchant adoption might be made.
Many of those countries already have a large Contactless infrastructure but in the US announcing more merchants would be nice. A number of merchants have moved from the Coming Soon to Supported category on Apple’s web site such as Kohl’s, Pep Boys, Peets Coffee and Trader Joe’s. Some of the Coming Soon merchants such as T-Mobile, Albertsons need to complete their rollout. Announced locations such as KFC, Cinnabon and Chili’s need to be on the Coming Soon list. Rite-Aid is live and needs to be on the supported list.
Exxon’s support of Apple Pay through its Speed Pass+ app is a significant bridge until the costly update of gas pumps can be completed.
With the introduction of the Square reader with Apple Pay capabilities, tens of thousands of additional small businesses now support Apple Pay. There have been additions in mid-size businesses such as Auto Zone, MicroCenter, Rocket Fizz.
For new merchants, I’m hoping that some of the large merchants struggling with the Chip Card difficulties such as Target and Walmart opt for Apple Pay. I have seen many Walmart stores testing contactless on the MasterCard PayPass locator site but it would be great to see them implement it in store. They already have the Point of Sale POS terminals. The bank behind Targets Red Card already supports Apple Pay.
Walmart could also add Apple Pay to its mobile app which it has invested gobs of money in.
Other large merchants include CostCo transitioning to Visa a big Apple Pay supporter and Kroger.
I think the survey is missing one. New updates to Apple Music including new Beats radio stations.