Is That All There is For 2016, Apple?
Back in November 1969, Peggy Lee’s hit “Is That All There Is?” arrived in record stores around the world. I wasn’t around to hear the song when it was released. Nonetheless, I’ve been hearing Peggy’s voice in my head often since Apple’s largely successful iPhone 7 event on Sept. 7. However, I’m probably not alone in hoping that Apple has more goodies to unwrap before the end of the year.
The Latest
Still waiting for more, Apple
On Friday, Bloomberg reported that Apple has been working on its rumored Siri-enabled Amazon Echo-like device for over two years. Now past the research and development stage, this project is now in prototype testing.
Like the Echo, this device is being designed to control smart home devices such as lights, locks, and appliances. Unfortunately, “Apple hasn’t finalized plans for the device and could still scrap the project.”
This news comes just hours after Consomac (via 9to5Mac) reported that the FCC has approved a mysterious wireless Apple device with the model number A1844. The unknown product includes Bluetooth and NFC functionality, drawing between 100mA and 700mA and between 5.5V and 13.2V. As a comparison, the current Apple TV rates at 12V at 0.917A.
Whether these reports are actually about the same product remains to be seen. Neither report suggests a new product launch is imminent.
Where things stand
Beyond this, we’re still waiting for some obvious product updates to launch. Each could feasibly arrive without a press event, although that typically isn’t Apple’s style.
The most likely candidates for new product arrivals include a second-generation 12.9-inch iPad Pro and new MacBook Pro. An Apple TV with 4K-compatibility would also be nice.
For the tablet, Apple could add the True Tone display found on the 9.7-inch model and call it a day. A far bigger iPad update would be one that would also add a new generation chip based on the A10 found on the iPhone 7. Apple’s less likely to announce a new 12.9-inch iPad Pro that also includes 3D Touch and the removal of the 3.5mm headphone. I would expect we’ll be seeing those features on both iPad Pro models in 2017.
Apple’s less likely to announce a new 12.9-inch iPad Pro that also includes 3D Touch and the removal of the 3.5mm headphone. I would expect we’ll be seeing those changes on both iPad Pro models in 2017.
What happens with Mac this year (if anything) is far less clear. Apple just released the macOS Sierra update. Typically, Apple has used this opportunity to announce new Macs. So far, they have not.
Except for the May release of the second-generation MacBook, the Mac line has remained the same for at least a year. Would they wait for the new year for additional updates?
Some chatter online suggests Apple’s mystery device mentioned above could be the long-awaited Apple TV 4k upgrade. I’m not so sure, although it would a nice update to get.
Hopefully, we’ll hear something more soon.
What new Apple products are you hoping to see before the end of the year?