Rather than having an October event, Apple unveiled AirPods Pro today via press release. This sparked speculation that the company plans to quietly take the wraps off more products this week.
A release date for the Mac Pro, fresh Apple TV hardware, and other items could be announced, one each day.
No 2019 Apple October event
This spring, the new iPad Air and iPad mini were introduced with a simple press release, not at a big, elaborate press event. The same is true for the seventh-generation iPod touch. So there’s a precedent for low-key product launches.
And, obviously, it’s too late for an Apple October event. And even a November event would be cutting it close to the start of the holiday shopping season. All this makes a once-a-day series of product announcements a real possibility, starting with AirPods Pro.
Mac Pro 2019
Apple unveiled the long-awaited update to the Mac Pro line back in June but has yet to reveal a release date. The company could easily do so this week.
The 2019 desktop is for professionals only, with an insane 28-core Intel Xeon processor, up to 1.5TB of RAM, and other super-high-end features. Pricing on the next Mac Pro starts at $5,999.
Apple AirTags
Numerous references to Apple’s item-tracker tags have been found in various iOS 13 versions. These will compete with Tile’s new offerings by allowing users to locate bags, keys, and other valuables..
They’ll use the Ultra Wideband technology built into the iPhone 11 series, along with the new Find My app, and are supposedly being dubbed AirTags.
With no Apple October event, these could be announced by a simple press release this week.
Apple Smart Battery Cases for iPhone 11 series
iOS 13.2 reportedly includes images for Apple-branded battery cases for all three iPhone 11 series models. These are apparently updated versions of this company’s hardcases with built-in batteries created for its earlier handsets.
Cupertino could well be intending to unveil them in the next few days. But it won’t be first; Mophie beat Apple to the punch, introducing its own iPhone 11 battery cases last week.
Apple TV 2019
The Apple TV+ streaming video service will launch on Thursday, and it might by accompanied by a new set-top box. This would be first new Apple TV hardware in two years.
Not much is known about this rumored device, other than it supposedly will be powered by an Apple A12 chip like last year’s iPhone XS series. This would be a considerable jump in processing power over its predecessors. And it might give a boost to Apple Arcade, the gaming service playable on Apple TVs and other devices.
16-inch MacBook Pro
Concept: Killian Bell/Cult of Mac
The most anticipated product possibly coming to light could be the the largest macOS laptop in years. The 16-inch MacBook Pro will supposedly will be the same size as the earlier 15-inch model, but with smaller screen bezels. And it could be the first in too long without the problem-plagued “butterfly” keyboard mechanism. Just be prepared for a high price — perhaps as much as $3,000.
Respected Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo has been leaking details about this laptop for months. Previously, he said it might be out before the end of this year, but more recently may have moved his prediction back to 2020. This would have been the highlight of a 2019 Apple October event, and without it the company may have decided to go with a simple series of daily press releases for less high-profile products.
