Apple’s recently announced HomePod 2 packs some impressive smart home capabilities. But that’s not the only product the company is working on.
Apple is reportedly working on several smart home devices, including a smart display. The low-end iPad-like device can control thermostats, lights and do FaceTime calls.
Apple has indefinitely postponed development on its first AR/VR glasses. The device was supposedly going to launch a couple of years after Apple’s first mixed-reality headset’s debut, which is due to come out later this year.
Instead, the Cupertino giant is now focusing on building a cheaper version of its AR/VR headset. The device could debut in 2024 or early 2025.
Apple’s next-generation M2 Pro and M2 Max chips went official on Tuesday. The new processors power Apple’s brand-new MacBook Pro lineup and, for the first time, the Mac mini.
Both SoCs deliver better CPU and GPU performance than their M1 predecessors, along with faster image processing.
UPDATE: This prediction can true very quickly. HomePod 2 launched on January 18. Get all the details:
Apple’s new full-size HomePod with even better sound quality could launch “fairly soon,” according to the latest rumor. The updated smart speaker should pack improved touch controls and feature Matter with Thread support for more reliable use as a home-automation hub. And it should come at a lower price than the original model.
The HomePod debuted in 2018, but Apple discontinued it in 2021 following poor sales due to its steep $299 price.
Apple CEO Tim Cook is set to receive a substantial pay cut in 2023. The company’s top executive will receive “only” $49 million in compensation this year.
For comparison, Cook’s compensation was $99.4 million in 2022 and $98.7 million in 2021.
Apple’s M2 Pro/Max MacBook Pros launch could have hit another roadblock. Rumors indicated the new Macs could debut in Q1 2023, but that does not seem to be the case anymore.
The reason behind the latest delay in the next-gen MacBook Pro’s launch is unclear.
Apple could start shipping the second-generation AirPods Max and the AirPods Lite in the second half of 2024 at the earliest or the first half of 2025.
Announced in late 2020, the $549 AirPods Max has not received any refresh since their launch in late 2020.
Apple wants to reduce its reliance on sourcing displays for its products from Samsung and LG. So, the company is working on its own custom displays that it intends to use as early as 2024.
This would mark another move from Apple to develop more components it uses on its devices in-house.
Did the iPad mini catch your fancy? Amazon has a killer deal on Apple’s smallest tablet, knocking $99 off its retail price.
After the discount, you can get the 2021 iPad mini for $399.99, down from its original $499 MSRP. This is the same price the tablet was available for during Black Friday.
Apple has released a couple of new ads highlighting the iPhone 14’s Action Mode and the Undo Send feature in iOS 16’s Messages app. The features are available on both regular iPhone 14 and 14 Pro series.
This is the second ad Apple has released since the iPhone 14 release to promote Action Mode. The advanced stabilization mode provides gimbal-like stabilization.
Apple’s first retail store in India has moved closer to its opening. After years of delays, the company has started hiring retail store workers in the country.
The company has posted 12 job positions on its career page in India as it looks to fill various retail positions.
Every year, Apple has some significant hardware upgrades planned for at least a few devices in its product lineup. 2023 could be an outlier, though.
This year, Apple’s major hardware launches will include its first AR/VR headset and the iPhone 15 series. While other products in the company’s lineup will receive a refresh, they will be relatively minor upgrades.
Contrary to rumors, the upcoming Apple silicon Mac Pro might disappoint many in the design department. A new report suggests the forthcoming Mac Pro refresh will have the same design as the 2019 Intel-based model.
The Apple silicon Mac Pro is widely expected to launch later this year. It would stand out in the Mac lineup by offering a certain degree of user upgradability but come with non-upgradeable system memory.
Apple’s AR/VR headset development has reportedly hit another setback. As a result, TF International Securities analyst Ming-Chi Kuo now predicts Apple will unveil the headset at a spring media event or at this year’s Worldwide Developers Conference.
Rumors so far indicated Apple could hold an event in January 2023 to unveil the long-rumored headset.
Apple’s latest catalog of books uses artificial intelligence as a narrator instead of a human voice. This is the first time the Cupertino giant has used AI for audiobook narration.
The move could have a wide-reaching effect in the audiobook space and mark the beginning of the end of human narrators.
Ahead of the Chinese New Year on January 22, 2023, Apple has released a limited-edition AirPods Pro in the country. The charging case of the earbuds features a Year of the Rabbit engraving.
Besides the engraving, the special edition AirPods Pro retail box features the Year of the Rabbit graphics.
Every year, Apple launches a handful of products that stand out from the competition. 2023 is going to be no different, but next year will be special for Apple in many ways.
The company could enter a new product category with its AR/VR headset, and the iPhone could get some major hardware upgrades. Below is a roundup of five Apple product launches to look forward to in 2023.
With iOS 16.2, iPadOS 16.2, and macOS Ventura 13.1, Apple introduced a new architecture for the Home app. Following issues reported by early adopters, the company has pulled the upgrade option altogether.
The new Home app architecture promises improved performance and reliability. It was an opt-in upgrade, with users getting the option when they opened the Home app after installing iOS 16.2.
Apple could delay or cancel the launch of the 2024 iPhone SE 4 due to cost and demand issues. The company’s budget products have not performed as well as initially thought.
The full-screen design of the iPhone SE 4 could also push its prices higher. This could affect its demand and position in Apple’s current lineup.
Apple’s 2022 11-inch iPad Pro has dropped to its lowest-ever price ahead of Christmas. You can get the M2-powered tablet for $699, a $100 discount from its MSRP.
If you want the tablet before Christmas, Amazon promises delivery of the Space Gray mode before Christmas. However, it is available with a slightly lower $70 discount.
This post contains affiliate links. Cult of Mac may earn a commission when you use our links to buy items.
At WWDC20, Apple promised to complete its transition to Apple silicon inside Macs in two years. It missed that deadline, and the company is yet to reveal a replacement for its 2019 Intel Mac Pro.
A new report details the reason behind the delay in the next Mac Pro’s launch. It also sheds light on why, contrary to initial rumors, Apple won’t launch a version powered by an upcoming processor that’s essentially four M2 Max processors merged together, sometimes called the M2 Extreme.
Apple is currently working on multiple new external monitors powered by Apple silicon. This includes a replacement for the Pro Display XDR that launched in 2019.
There’s no confirmed timeline for the launch of the new monitors.
WhatsApp is finally catching up to FaceTime and adding support for video calls with up to 32 participants. You can also mute or message an individual on a group call.
Up until now, you could use WhatsApp for group voice calls with 32 people. Video calls were limited to 8 people.
And support for Picture-in-Picture is in testing.
Apple’s M2-powered 2022 MacBook Air is down to its lowest-ever price of $999. That’s a massive discount of $200 from its retail price.
If you place your order today, you can get the MacBook Air before Christmas.
This post contains affiliate links. Cult of Mac may earn a commission when you use our links to buy items.
Alongside iOS 16.2, iPadOS 16.2, and macOS Ventura 13.1, Apple also dropped watchOS 9.2 for all compatible Apple Watch models. Besides packing several new features, the update improves the Apple Watch Ultra’s battery life.
Interestingly, Apple does not mention this improvement in the watchOS 9.2’s release notes.
