The Tech Media Minute: The Projected 2016 iPhone and iPad Lineup

The changing iOS device lineup

Apple is largely expected to announce the company’s newest iPhone on Sept. 7. When they do, the overall iPhone lineup will change, as usual. On the iPad front, possible changes are much less clear.

iPhone

There are currently five handsets in the lineup: the iPhone 6s, iPhone 6s Plus, iPhone 6, iPhone 6 Plus, and iPhone SE.

Most likely, the iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus will be banished to the history books next month, while the iPhone 6s and iPhone 6s Plus will remain available at a reduced price. Note: If you’ve been eyeing a gold or rose gold iPhone 6s or iPhone 6s Plus, get it now. These versions could go away soon.

Prediction: The new lineup is probably going to look like this: “iPhone 7,” “iPhone 7 Plus,” iPhone 6s, iPhone 6s Plus, and iPhone SE. Apple might also announce an “iPhone 7 Pro” too.

iPad

I’m not convinced that Apple will introduce new iPads next month, but I may be wrong.  If they do make a change, it would be to the 12.9-inch iPad Pro, which was announced last September, although it didn’t actually arrive in stores until November.

This new iPad Pro would almost certainly include True Tone display, which was first introduced earlier this year on the 9.7-inch iPad Pro. It would probably also feature a new chip, the “A10X.”

We could also see the fifth-generation iPad mini make its arrival. (Apple could just as easily kill off the 7.9-inch tablet line.)

Prediction: The new iPad lineup will feature a second-generation 12.9-inch iPad Pro, 9.7-inch iPad Pro, iPad Air 2, and iPad mini 4. Retired: the first 12.9-inch iPad Pro and iPad mini 2.

Apple Music influencing music charts

The year-old Apple Music subscription service is already having an effect on the Billboard 200. Since launching, the service has pushed three albums to the top of the rankings in the first week of release, according to Forbes.

Future’s “EVOL,” Drake’s “Views,” and most recently, DJ Khaled’s “Major Key” have all kicked off in the top spot. The biggest news: Each launched exclusively on Apple Music, which makes the launches even more significant.

Looking to add some humor to Twitter on this Friday? Add your story to #HighSchoolTaughtMe.

Other trends:

• #IfYouWantToBeMyNeighbor
• #g126
• #WorldElephantDay
• #FridayFeeling
• #FridayReads
• #BrandsInBands
• Jerry Sandusky
• Sergei Ivanov
• #FlashbackFriday

Today, Aug. 12 is Middle Child’s Day. On Saturday, it’s time to celebrate Left Hander’s Day. Cool off on Sunday with National Creamsicle Day.

The Intel Developer Forum begins on Aug. 16.

Rewind: On this day in 1898, the U.S. annexed Hawaii. On Aug. 14, 1945, Japan surrendered, ending World War II.

We’ve looked around the web and found these other stories worth considering:

• There is no shortage of Teslas at Apple’s headquarters, 9to5Mac
• Publishers Flock to New Instagram Stories, The Wall Street Journal
• ‘Space Black’ iPhone 7 case and screen images are making us drool, The Verge