Apple solely held one occasion within the second half of 2022: its iPhone 14 launch present. That meant a bunch of anticipated units, from Macs to a mixed-reality headset, by no means noticed the sunshine of day. However that might quickly change.
That’s as a result of rumors have been swirling that Apple is planning a product extravaganza this spring the place it should unveil a bunch of latest units to the world. If that’s true, what ought to we anticipate to see? Properly, you’re in the correct place to seek out out, as we’ve collected all the newest rumors right here. Questioning what’s subsequent on Apple’s 2023 calendar? Learn on to seek out out.
Combined-reality headset
After years of delays, the rumors surrounding Apple’s mixed-reality headset are gaining momentum. With the launch of the Meta Quest Professional and the announcement of the HTC Vive XR Elite, now seems like the correct time for Apple to step into the fray. And simply in time, it appears that evidently Apple is planning to disclose the secretive, long-awaited system within the spring, or probably at its Worldwide Builders Convention in June.
Because of a huge leak from Bloomberg reporter Mark Gurman, we now know virtually every thing we will anticipate from the headset, which can purportedly be referred to as Actuality Professional. The system will doubtless include a plethora of spectacular specs, together with high-resolution shows, hand- and eye-tracking capabilities, a big array of cameras, and a way more light-weight design than its rivals. There may even be a change resembling the Apple Watch’s Digital Crown that may allow you to swap between digital actuality and augmented actuality.
Given all that tech, a worth of round $3,000 has been urged. That might be costly, but Apple will apparently promote every unit at a loss, in line with Gurman. That claims rather a lot about how full of high-end tech the system may very well be. Apple is reportedly planning a less expensive model that may have a price ticket nearer to $1,500, however that’s not anticipated to launch till 2024 or 2025.
However maintain your horses — there’s an opportunity the Actuality Professional gained’t really make it to Apple’s spring occasion in spite of everything. Gurman claimed in a February report that his sources had informed him the headset’s launch date had been pushed again from April to June. The trigger is reportedly a sequence of software program and {hardware} points that Apple has but to treatment. A June launch wouldn’t solely give Apple extra time to place issues proper, however would give the corporate an excellent platform to showcase the headset and clarify the way it works to a worldwide viewers of builders, lots of whom will need to create apps and experiences for the platform.
Whether or not or not Gurman’s report is correct stays to be seen. However with out the Actuality Professional headset, Apple’s spring occasion will really feel a lot emptier. Will Apple even really feel it’s price doing the present with simply a few merchandise? We’ll have to attend and see.
Apple silicon Mac Professional
Virtually each Mac has at the very least one mannequin powered by an Apple silicon chip — besides the Mac Professional. We all know a brand new model is coming as a result of Apple admitted as a lot at its Peek Efficiency occasion in March 2022. With that present going down virtually a 12 months in the past, although, the Mac Professional’s improve have to be imminent.
Which means it’s virtually a certainty for the rumored spring occasion. But after ready so lengthy, it may very well be a disappointing system. In line with Gurman, Apple has deserted its M2 Excessive chip that was made particularly for the Mac Professional, whereas the chassis goes to stay the identical as the present mannequin. In the meantime, there might be no upgradeable graphics choices and no upgradable reminiscence, which may make the Mac Professional a tough promote given its sky-high worth.
15-inch MacBook Air
Apple hasn’t strayed from the acquainted MacBook Air formulation of both 11-inch or 13-inch sizes. That might quickly change, although, as there are sturdy rumors that Apple has a bigger 15-inch mannequin within the works.
Extra particularly, the 15-inch MacBook Air will supposedly get a 15.5-inch show, in line with trade analyst Ross Younger. Many of the different particulars are shrouded in thriller for now, however we’d anticipate the system to be similar to the present 13-inch MacBook Air in virtually each manner.
Which means we must always anticipate the identical chassis design, the identical show (solely bigger), and the identical M2 chip. There’s an opportunity the 15-inch mannequin will get an M2 Professional chip, however that’s nonetheless up within the air (sorry). The rumors are pointing towards this coming later within the 12 months, however you by no means know — relying on what chip it makes use of, that might change.
New 27-inch show
When Apple launched the Mac Studio, it additionally revealed a companion monitor referred to as the Studio Show. Whereas it’s definitely spectacular, it’s lacking a number of options that may actually take it to the subsequent stage. That might change on the spring occasion.
Younger believes Apple has a brand new monitor up its sleeve that may boast each Mini-LED and ProMotion applied sciences. These options are absent in each the Studio Show and the far more costly Professional Show XDR, and will make the brand new monitor an irresistible prospect for its audience.
What’s not coming to the occasion?
Earlier than mid-January, we have been anticipating a number of extra units to launch on the spring occasion. That included new variations of the 14-inch and 16-inch MacBook Professional, a refreshed Mac mini, and a resurrected HomePod.
Then Apple did one thing surprising — it launched all of these units by way of press releases. On January 16, there have been rumors that updates have been imminent for Apple’s flagship laptops. Certain sufficient, the subsequent day the MacBook Professional was up to date, with new M2 Professional and M2 Max chips being kind of the one adjustments of observe that got here to the merchandise.
On the similar time, Apple up to date the Mac mini with M2 and M2 Professional chips, which was completely surprising and never leaked forward of time. The Intel Mac mini was lastly phased out, leaving the Mac Professional as the one Apple laptop that has not but completely switched to Apple silicon.
Then the subsequent day, there was one other shock as Apple relaunched the HomePod, virtually two years after the bigger mannequin was discontinued. It now means there are as soon as once more two sizes of HomePod to select from, with the HomePod mini nonetheless being offered.
With these merchandise all launched in January, it means the potential roster for Apple’s spring occasion is wanting a little bit thinner. There are nonetheless loads of potential units that may very well be introduced, although, so there’s nonetheless rather a lot to look out for.
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