Apple might have a product announcement event in just a few days. But then again, it also might not. Either way, plenty of folks believe we’ll hear from Tim Cook and the gang soon, so it’s time to brush up on what could be next for Apple.
Multiple Apple leakers have suggested or even said outright that they expect the company to hold an event on March 23. One of those leakers, Jon Prosser, has since revised his prediction to say the event will actually take place sometime in April for unspecified reasons. However, the timing of the event isn’t what’s important — what really matters is what Apple decides to show off.
Thankfully, rumors surrounding the event’s product lineup have been more consistent than those regarding the event’s date. Don’t expect to see new iPhones (be patient, September will be here before you know it). Apple is more likely to reveal the next steps for a few of its other popular devices, like the iPad, as well as a new product we’ve been expecting for years.
iPad Pro
Will this old iPad Pro get a revision in 2021?
Image: Phil Barker / Future Publishing via Getty Images
One of the more persistent rumors surrounding the supposed spring event is that Apple will show off a new version of the iPad Pro.
Indeed, Bloomberg recently reported on the new run of iPads just days before one of the possible dates that have been floated for the new Apple event. There will purportedly be two new iPad Pro models in 11- and 12.9-inch sizes, featuring the custom M1 chip from recent MacBooks, Thunderbolt ports, and potentially even mini-LED screens. Bloomberg‘s report also said a bigger iPad mini is in the works.
Apple revised the iPad Pro last year, but the iPad mini hasn’t been updated since 2019. So the above rumors are extremely believable.
New AirPods
The default AirPods are due for a redesign.
Image: Alex Tai / SOPA Images / LightRocket via Getty Images
If Apple does indeed show off its wares in the next few weeks, new AirPods would seem to be a no-brainer. The second-generation AirPods are almost two years old at this point, and the same can be said for the more expensive AirPods Pro.
That’s all just circumstantial evidence, so you can disregard it, but Bloomberg has also reported that we’ll get new AirPods this year. Apparently, there will be updates to both the entry-level AirPods and the AirPods Pro, including physical redesigns of both and increased battery life. Unfortunately, it sounds like noise cancellation will remain exclusive to the Pro model.
The only real reason not to believe we’ll see new AirPods soon is that analyst and noted Apple prognosticator Ming-Chi Kuo recently said mass production won’t begin until the second half of the year. Apple could potentially hold off on announcing the new wireless earbuds until they’re ready to be sold.
AirTags
Apple might take on Tile trackers with AirTags.
Image: Bill O’Leary / The Washington Post via Getty Images
The rumors surrounding Apple’s impending product info dump largely revolve around updates to old products. AirTags are the exception.
For almost two years, we’ve been hearing rumblings that Apple plans on launching physical Bluetooth trackers you can attach to valuable items. They would theoretically tie into the Find My iOS app, giving you a GPS location for said items in case they get lost. We’re now at the point where every Apple event is a potential launching point for AirTags —similar to how every Apple event was supposed to do the same for its AirPower charging mat until that product was unceremoniously canceled.
Given that Apple has recently toyed with new item tracking alerts in its Find My app, it seems more likely than ever that we may finally see AirTags.
Apple TV
Apple hasn’t updated the Apple TV hardware in years. We could see an upgrade soon.
Image: Neil Godwin / Edge Magazine / Future via Getty Images
Last but not least, Apple’s rumored spring event might be the time to show us what’s next for Apple TV.
The Apple TV+ streaming service launched in 2019, but the company hasn’t seriously updated its streaming hardware since the 4K version launched in 2017. In other words, people have spent the past few months watching (and rewatching) Ted Lasso either on old Apple TV hardware or on another company’s streaming device.
Bloomberg‘s Mark Gurman said in December that Apple is working on a 2021 revamp of the Apple TV with a better processor, a new remote, and rather interestingly, a “stronger gaming focus.” Apple Arcade was promoted as Apple TV-friendly back when that service launched, so it wouldn’t be shocking to see Apple go harder on that front with the next iteration of the hardware.
As always with Apple, all of this could be true and none of it could be true. Heck, we’re still waiting for confirmation that the event is even happening in the first place. Until then, you might want to hold off on buying those AirPods or that iPad you’ve been looking at for months.
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