Apple in 2016
What the biggest company in the world has planned for 2016.
Technology is in a state of evolution. The current era, the PC era, is about to end. This is the evolution process.
Last year, Apple had one of its most intriguing years in recent memory. First generation products such as the Apple Watch, MacBook, iPad Pro, Apple Pencil, and new Apple TV were launched, all met with critics speculating that Apple has “lost its touch”.
In reality, it is quite the opposite. Apple is preparing for the real Post-PC era, that is, an era where devices aren’t just a transformation of the PC, which Apple is likely preparing for with the rumored Apple Car. In the interim, it is showing everyone what the devices of the future, the PC devices that live in the actual Post-PC era, will be like.
And, don’t get me wrong, Apple made a number of missteps this year, but at least some of these were calculated missteps. That way they can come back in 2016, once the groundwork is laid, and show us how they fully meant their new devices to work.
Never, ever, buy a first generation Apple product.
Every year, I try to predict what Apple has in store for the next 365 days.
Last year, Apple showed us a group of ‘firsts’. Brand new products we have never seen before. But, like the original iPad vs. iPad 2, the first Apple TV vs. Apple TV 2, the first MacBook Air vs. MacBook Air 2, iPhone vs. iPhone 3G, and so many others, Apple’s first gen products are usually pretty ehh, and only give us a glimpse of what is to come.
This year will be a year of seconds. A year where Apple shows us the best versions of everything it has to offer; no more testing waters.
Second generation Apple products are always the best Apple products.
iPad
This year, Apple is planning on releasing major updates to its iPad lineup, with the launch of both the iPad Air 3 and iPad Pro 2.
The new iPad Air, which was not updated in 2015, will feature a similar design to the current iPad Air, as well as the A9X chip found in Apple’s current iPad Pro. Beyond that, the iPad Air 3 will feature similar technical specs as the Air 2, with a possible bump in RAM. However, the screen on the new Air may see a significant upgrade. It is being discussed that the new display will feature almost 4K resolution.
With the iPad Pro, Apple is planning on upgrading the processor to the yet-to-be announced A10X. Additionally, the new device will likely feautre 3D touch, the first device to receive it besides the iPhone.
Lastly, Apple may update the iPad mini with the iPad mini 5, which would likely feature a bump to the A9, and some spec upgrades.
The iPad Pro 2 and iPad mini 5 will both likely launch in the fall of next year, while the Air 3 may see an earlier, March launch. Additionally, Apple looks to be in the process of killing off all 16GB SKUs, and replacing them with 32GB models.
The majority of iPad news this year, however, will come in the form of software, which we will get to later on.
Mac
Following 2015’s launch of the MacBook, as well as updated iMacs, Apple is planning a slew of Mac updates for 2016.
The most major Mac update for 2016 will likely be the introduction of the new MacBook Air. The device, which is slated to launch in the first half of the year, though it could be delayed, is set to be the first major redesign to the laptop since the 2nd-generation model.
In addition to an all-new design, the device will feature a Retina display, as well as new screen sizes. The current model, which has come in the same sizes since its inception in 2008, will introduce a 3rd, 15-inch size. Apple is rumored to be discussing not upgrading the 11-inch model with this launch, leaving it in its low entry spot, until it is ready to be killed off.
This leaves the MacBook a bit up in the air. As of now, there is no indication that Apple is preparing an update to the device, however don’t be surprised if it happens. If it does, just expect a bit of a spec bump.
Apple is also likely planning an update to the Mac Pro, which was first unveiled in 2013, as well as minor updates to most of its Mac lineup.
Apple Watch
Apple is set to unveil its second generation Apple Watch in the first quarter of 2016.
The new device, which will launch just under a year after its predecessor, will have multiple internal changes, as well as new style varieties. The design of the device is expected to stay the same.
New features expected include a FaceTime HD camera on the front of the watch display, new fitness sensors, less iPhone dependence, sleep sensors, and better battery life.
Apple is reportedly planning on introducing additional models and series with Apple Watch 2. Specifically, models in the $1000–$10,000 range. In addition to new models, it is likely Apple will either lower the entry price for Apple Watch, keep the original sport model on sale for significantly less, or both, following a number of big box retailers’ recent decisions to permanently discount the first generation wearable.
The new watch will likely be unveiled at an event in March. Additionally, the 3rd OS update for the Watch, watchOS 3, will launch in June.
Software
Apple is planning on a large shift in its software and operating system strategy starting in 2016.
When Apple originally launched the iPhone, Steve Jobs touted the fact that it ran OS X:
Since then, both iOS and OS X have evolved, each developing in different directions, with its own specific set of features for its own needs. Today, iOS powers not just itself, but is also the core of tvOS and watchOS. iOS has reached a point were it is its own thing. Here’s a chart I made to illustrate:
At the moment, Apple’s main five product categories — iPhone, iPad, Mac, Watch, and TV — are powered by four operating systems, which are powered by two core systems. This doesn’t make sense, and Apple knows it.
This year, Apple will begin the first step in its plan to fix the structure. Here it is:
This year, Apple plans on finally splitting iOS into two separate operating systems; one for iPhone, and one for iPad.
Following last year’s launch of both the Apple Watch, the new Apple TV, and their respective new operating systems, it is clear Apple now sees the need for iOS to be redeveloped for different devices. Many have been complaining for years that iOS on the iPad makes it just a bigger iPhone, and the only thing to differentiate it is apps. This point recently became even more prevalent with the launch of the iPad Pro.
This year, it is likely that Apple has caved, and is developing a core “iOS 10” which will power all four of the iOS operating systems: watchOS, iPhoneOS, iPadOS, and tvOS. This will allow Apple to begin assigning certain features directly to the iPad, which they were unable or unwilling to do before this change.
It should be noted that the names “iPhoneOS” and “iPadOS” are speculative. It’s entirely possible that Apple doesn’t openly admit the change, and keeps both OS’s called “iOS”, but will still give them different development paths and features.
One example of a feature like this is the addition of trackpad support. Hypothetically, when a trackpad is connected, the iPad homescreen could turn into “tvOS” style icons, allowing the user to trackpad through them similar to how they would on an Apple TV. In an app like Safari, the trackpad could be used for scrolling and swiping between pages, all without ever having to show a mouse.
With a core OS powering all the iOS devices, compatibility between devices can be improved, and all OS’s could be updated simultaneously.
While Apple will only begin this process this year, it hopes that through the next few years the entire system will be restructured. It is likely that Apple has been side-compiling OS X on its ‘A’ series chips, similar to how in the PowerPC days, OS X was being side-compiled for Intel chips. Ideally, they hope to eventually have all their devices running their own chipset, but realistically this will take a while.
It is clear, however, that the main testing device for the transition to ‘A’ processor will be the new MacBook. As Apple has been the main, and really only, significant manufacturer to purchase and use the Core-M chipset, it is unlikely Intel will give it the attention it does to its’ other chipsets development-wise, and will eventually force Apple’s hand. The only thing stopping Apple from doing this tomorrow is the possibility of pissing off Intel.
Way down the road, once ‘A’ chips are standard in most Mac products, we could finally see full compatibility between devices, with developers able to create one app that works on all platforms. At this point, we’ll see the merging of iOS and OS X, but not as most would think. Instead of having one OS, Apple will have one ‘core’ that powers all its systems.
In terms of actual releases, this year Apple plans on releasing OS X 10.12, watchOS 3, tvOS 10.0, iPhoneOS 10.0, and iPadOS 10.0.
Not much is known about any of these operating systems, but expect them all to launch at WWDC this June.
iPhone
This year, Apple is planning on releasing the actual biggest update to iPhone since iPhone, however, it also has another smartphone to share this year.
The iPhone 6c, set to launch in the beginning half of the year, is Apple’s newest take on a smaller smartphone. Unlike the iPhone 5c, which was a “budget” phone that cost nothing on contract and was made of plastic, Apple is aiming to create a device that’s as powerful as a premium smartphone for people who don’t want a big phone.
The device will include Apple’s A9 chip, 2GB of RAM, a 4-inch display, as well as NFC for use with Apple Pay. The A9 is especially important to note as the iPhone 6, which currently sits in the middle of Apple’s phone lineup at $100 on contract, only has an A8.
The design of the device will be close, if not identical, to Apple’s current entry phone, the iPhone 5s. The 6c will feature the same camera as the device as well, however will receive a noticeable bump in battery.
With the device noticeably better internally than the iPhone 6, it will likely sit in between the iPhone 6 and 6s in Apple’s lineup at around $150 on contract.
This fall, Apple will bring the biggest update to its flagship device since it’s inception, the iPhone 7.
The iPhone 7 will likely have the largest design change since the original iPhone. The device is rumored to be in the range of 6.0mm-6.5mm in thickness, compared to the iPhone 6 at 6.9mm and iPhone 6s at 7.1mm. Apple’s current iPod touch comes in at 6.1mm, and it is likely they will try and match that thickness with the next iPhone.
Apple will stick with both a regular and ‘Plus’ model for the 7, however is likely to make changes to the actual display size and resolution. Resolution wise, the current iPhone 6s comes in at 1334x750, while the iPhone 6s Plus comes in at 1920x1080. It is probable Apple will bump the resolution of the smaller of the two iPhone 7’s to the 1920x1080 resolution of the 6s Plus. Doing this would mean developers would have to do nothing to make apps compatible with the new display. In terms of the 7 Plus, Apple will either stick with the current resolution or bump it to 2048x1536.
While there is no sign of conformation, Apple may be planning on increasing the display sizes themselves of the new devices, while keeping the dimensions the same as previous generations. Doing so would result in shortening either the top bezel, bottom bezel, or both, which may result in a changed home button.
Beyond changing the screen, Apple is planning on removing the 3.5mm headphone port from the iPhone 7, meaning users will have to either use bluetooth or lightning headphones. This is a classic Apple change, on par with removing the floppy-disk or CD drive on the Mac, and is likely Apple trying to make way for future thickness changes, as well as convincing users to adapt new technologies and throw out old ones. Rumor has it Apple is planning on introducing 96kHz/24bit support to Apple Music, which would only be transferable through the lightning port.
Apple has been reportedly working on a breakthrough camera for iPhone for some time, one that would be able to produce pictures close-to or on-par with DSLR quality. Assumedly, the new camera would ship with a redesigned camera app to take advantage of the new capabilities.
Apple is also planning on choosing a different metal than aluminum for the iPhone 7, using new compound materials for the casing. The benefits of this are two-fold: Apple could likely introduce some form of water-proofing standard to device, and could ditch the odd ‘antenna lines’ found on the back of the iPhone 6.
The new device will launch in the fall at the same price points as the iPhone 6s and 6s Plus, moving the rest of the lineup down a notch and resulting in the discontinuation of the iPhone 5s. Additionally, Apple is planning on killing off the 16GB baseline model for either a 32GB or 64GB model.
Apple looks poised to show us one of its strongest lineups ever, with plenty of corrections for last years missteps. In addition to the devices above, Apple may also launch a small update to the new Apple TV.
Check back every few months for a new entry in Apple in 2016, where we’ll look more in-depth at upcoming Apple product launches.
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