Prediction: There's More In The Making Event
On Tuesday, October 30th Tim Cook and company will take the stage once again to debut another round of new and updated products. This event is a bit different from events in the past. This time it’s taking place on the East Coast at the Brooklyn Academy of Music in Brooklyn NY, rather than in Cupertino CA at Apple headquarters.
There are a few items I feel Apple will unveil.
1.) New iPad Pro
Its been over a year since we got the latest iPad Pro in 10.5” and 12.9” models. They are both due for a refresh. The big feature that has been bound to come to these devices will be Face ID. This is Apple’s biometric authentication technology that works to unlock encryption and make our devices secure. Expect Apple to remove the 3.5” headphone jack from this model as they move to make it more and more like iPhone.
2.) New Apple Pencil
The original Apple Pencil launched back in 2015 with the original iPad Pro. I really like this product and it does indeed make using the iPad Pro a more enjoyable experience, even if you are not drawing on the device. It’s a very precise way to navigate around apps in iOS and is the closest thing to a conventional “mouse” to use with iPad. This Apple Pencil will come with the Apple built W1 chip or something similar that allows it to seamlessly pair to multiple devices. Now why in the world would you have to do something like that? I thought Apple Pencil was only supported by iPad......read on.
3.) New Macbook
When you navigate to Apple’s website or mobile store App there is one product in the laptop Mac family that feels like it just doesn’t fit with the current lineup. That product is the MacBook Air. It’s the only portable Mac that is still sold with USB type A ports and a MagSafe power adapter. We should be seeing the MacBook Air have it’s final moment on stage before it’s replaced and updated. It’s had one heck of a ride. Who remembers back in 2008 when Steve Jobs unveiled MacBook Air by taking it out of a envelope on stage. He was always an advocate of the presentation of Apple products to not only make them useful, but also approachable and fun. Expect a USB type C lower priced Mac laptop (I use the phrase “lower” to indicate starting at least under $1,000.00 USD) with updated specs, and shipping with the latest version of macOS Mojave 10.14.
4.) New iMac
It’s been over a year since Apple refreshed iMac and this would be quite the year for it, as the iMac turned 20 this past May. 1998 Apple released the Bondi Blue iMac which really was the reincarnation of Apple to re-energize their revolution that we experience today. If we think back to 1998 technology was not an every day part of peoples lives. One of the best ways Apple made technology approachable was by creating a machine with brilliant colors and a transparent backing so you could see exactly what you were working with. In true Apple fashion, it worked and the iMac became a must have household item that was as necessary as a toaster. I expect incremental updates to iMac 21.5” and 27” but look for someone from the Apple team to give a nod to the iMac for putting a dent in the universe for over 20 years. 🖥
5.) Mac Mini
It’s been a long time coming for the Mac Mini enthusiasts out there. This desktop computer has not been updated since Oct 2014, so it’s far overdue. This was a great cost conscious way to own an Apple desktop computer. You are able to use your own existing keyboard, mouse, and display which makes this useful in many different scenarios from consumer to business professionals. I expect a slightly updated form factor, USB C/ Thunderbolt 3 ports, and a feature or specs directed at pros or creators.
6.) iOS 12.1
I expect Apple to briefly discuss the launch of iOS 12.1 which will bring functionality of Group FaceTime and dual sim support to the new iPhone lineup. Group FaceTime allows you have to have video call with up to 32 people at once.
Toss Ups:
Preview of new modular Mac Pro - With the Mac Pro now going on 5 years old this makes it more than ready for a update. Apple mentioned to us back in 2017 that a modular Mac Pro would be coming down the pipeline with a focus on creative professionals. Perhaps we can get a glimpse as to what they have been working on with a timeline in 2019 for when it is expected to launch.
AirPower - Apple’s wireless charging pad which if you ask me they should rename to “AppleJuice”. This would make the device fun, true to what its doing to devices that are placed on it, and would get back to the roots of making different outside the box names for technology. Who remembers when called their Mac Operating Systems different cat names when the rest of the industry was going with very basic names with numbers? 🐱
AirPods - I’d expect the same form factor and experience as the current model. Enhancements in the AirPods that would allow them to wirelessly charge, especially with the “AirPower” aka (AppleJuice Pad) 🙃
New Apple Pencil support on new Macs - This is a total guess, but I feel if Apple does release a new version of Apple Pencil that pairs wirelessly and seamlessly to multiple devices, they’re setting themselves up to use the Pencil on iPad, Mac, and eventually iPhone.
20th Anniversary iMac - Although another long shot, it would really be something if Apple created a special 20th anniversary edition of the iMac that they sold for a limited time. This would invigorate Mac desktop sales at a time where we are truly in a mobile first world.
This event is happening on Tuesday, Oct 30th at 10 AM EST at the Academy of Music in Brooklyn NY. You can join the livestream of this event on Apple’s website (link here) or by the Apple TV Events app.
Happy Keynote Everyone!
Best,
