Alongside iOS 16, watchOS 9, and tvOS 16, Apple today released new software that's designed for the HomePod and the HomePod mini.
According to Apple's release notes, software version 16 includes general performance and stability improvements.
HomePod software is installed automatically on the HomePod unless the feature is disabled, but the HomePod can also be manually updated in the Home app by following the instructions in our HomePod update how to.
While we have to wait a bit longer for the macOS Ventura launch, Apple today released macOS Monterey 12.6. macOS Monterey 12.6 is the sixth major update to macOS Monterey and it comes a couple months after the launch of macOS Monterey 12.5.
The macOS Monterey 12.6 update can be downloaded on all eligible Macs using the Software Update section of System Preferences.
Apple says that it is aware that one kernel vulnerability was actively exploited, which means that it is important for all macOS Monterey users to update to the new version of the operating system as soon as possible.
Apple has also released a macOS Big Sur 11.7 update with security fixes.
Alongside iOS 16, Apple has released new versions of iOS 15.7 and iPadOS 15.7. The iOS 15.7 update is aimed at those who are not able to upgrade to iOS 16, while iPadOS 15.7 is available while we wait for the launch of iPadOS 16 in October.
The software updates can be downloaded on eligible iPhones over-the-air by going to Settings > General > Software Update.
The iOS 15.7 and iPadOS 15.7 updates address multiple kernel vulnerabilities in addition to fixing security issues with Contacts, Maps, Safari, Safari Extensions, Shortcuts, and WebKit.
Apple says that one of the kernel vulnerabilities was actively exploited, so those who cannot update to iOS 16 should install iOS 15.7 as soon as possible, and iPad owners should update to iOS 15.7.
Today marks 10 years since Apple introduced the iPhone 5 with an all-new Lightning connector, which replaced the previous 30-pin dock connector that originated on the iPod. Apple's former marketing chief Phil Schiller described Lightning as a "modern connector for the next decade," and this milestone has now been achieved.
Apple already offers USB-C ports on every Mac and nearly every iPad that it sells, along with the Studio Display, Pro Display XDR, some Beats headphones, and a few other accessories. Rumors suggest the upcoming 10th-generation entry-level iPad will also adopt USB-C, followed by AirPods charging cases and the MagSafe Battery Pack next year.
In June, the European Union announced that it reached an agreement to introduce a new law that would make USB-C the common charging port across all new smartphones, tablets, headphones, and many other electronics by fall 2024. iPhone 15 models are expected to launch around September 2023, ahead of the European Union's deadline.
While the Lightning cable was the first reversible charging cable, USB-C has become a very popular charging standard across a countless number of devices. A major benefit of USB-C for the iPhone would be faster data transfer speeds, as Lightning on the iPhone 13 and earlier tops out at 480 Mbps, while USB-C can achieve up to 5 to 10 Gbps depending on the spec, or even up to 40 Gbps if the iPhone supported Thunderbolt 3.
Today marks the fifth anniversary of Apple introducing the iPhone X during its first-ever media event at Steve Jobs Theater.
iPhone X introduced an all-new design that replaced Touch ID and the Home button with Face ID and swipe-based navigation. It was the first iPhone with an OLED display, a notch, dramatically thinner bezels around the display, a polished stainless steel frame, and animated emoji known as Animoji. Alongside the iPhone 8, the iPhone X also ushered in wireless charging support and the Neural Engine for machine learning.
"For more than a decade, our intention has been to create an iPhone that is all display," said Apple's former design chief Jony Ive, in a September 2017 press release. "The iPhone X is the realization of that vision."
"iPhone X is the future of the smartphone," added Apple's former marketing chief Phil Schiller.
Apple CEO Tim Cook teased the introduction of the iPhone X as "one more thing" before Schiller took the stage to discuss the device's new features.
As the first event at Steve Jobs Theater, Apple began its presentation with a touching tribute to Steve Jobs, who passed away in 2011.
Apple said the iPhone X represented "the beginning of the next ten years for iPhone." While the notch has been replaced with a new pill-shaped Dynamic Island cutout on the iPhone 14 Pro models, the overall design of the iPhone X and Face ID live on.
After months of rumors, speculation, and leaks, Apple last week finally unveiled the iPhone 14, the iPhone 14 Pro, the all-new Apple Watch Ultra, the Apple Watch Series 8, and the second-generation AirPods Pro.
While the majority of iPhone 14, iPhone 14 Pro, and Apple Watch rumors turned out to be accurate, including last-minute rumors on the iPhone 14 Pro, there were some that ultimately didn't pan out. We've rounded up five of the most notable rumors that did not turn out correctly for the iPhone 14 and iPhone 14 Pro below.
Prosser: No Camera Bump, Round Volume Buttons, and More
On September 8, 2021, Apple leaker Jon Prossershared renders he claimed to have been for the "iPhone 14 Pro Max," days before Apple was set to unveil the iPhone 13 lineup. In his renders, Prosser claimed that the iPhone 14 Pro Max would feature a flat back with no camera bump, round volume buttons, a single hole-punch notch replacement, and redesigned speaker and microphone grilles with elongated mesh cutouts instead of individual holes on the bottom of the device.
The renders turned out to be an inaccurate depiction of the iPhone 14 Pro Max, with Apple enlarging the camera bump to make room for more advanced cameras, Apple instead opting for a hole punch and pill-shaped notch replacement, and no change to the volume buttons or the speaker and microphone grilles.
2TB Storage Option
A rumor early in the rumor mill suggested that the iPhone 14 Pro and iPhone 14 Pro Max would be offered in a 2TB storage configuration alongside the existing 1TB option. The rationale was that with the more advanced cameras, Apple would offer a larger storage option for photographers and videographers to store high-res content. That did not turn out to be the case as Apple is continuing to offer a 1TB option as the highest capacity ever in an iPhone with the iPhone 14 Pro series.
Premium Titanium Model
A rumor had suggested that the iPhone 14 Pro and iPhone 14 Pro Max would be offered in an all-new titanium model. That also did not turn out to be the case, with Apple using the same materials on the iPhone 14 Pro and iPhone 14 Pro Max as their respective predecessors.
WiFi 6E Support
Rumored for the iPhone 12, then the iPhone 13, and again for the iPhone 14, Apple has yet to bring the latest WiFi standard to its iPhone lineup. WiFi 6E, compared to WiFi 6 supported on all of Apple's latest products, includes better support for crowded areas and better latency. It remains unclear why Apple has not yet adopted WiFi 6E support, but we could see it on the iPhones next year.
Upgraded Ultra Wide Camera
Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuostated in November of 2020 that all iPhone 14 models would feature the same improved Ultra Wide camera with f/1.8, 6P and autofocus. While the iPhone 14 did get some camera improvements, those specifications did not turn out to be accurate. The iPhone 14 and iPhone 14 Plus feature an Ultra Wide camera with an f/2.4 aperture and a five-element lens. The iPhone 14 Pro and iPhone 14 Pro Max's Ultra Wide camera has an f/2.2 aperture and a six-element lens.
Apple's AirPods Max over-ear headphones have returned to their lowest-ever price on Amazon, priced at $429.00, down from $549.00. In a rare occurrence, we're tracking every single color of the AirPods Max at this price, and all are in stock and ready to ship out today.
Note: MacRumors is an affiliate partner with Amazon. When you click a link and make a purchase, we may receive a small payment, which helps us keep the site running.
Amazon Prime members can receive the AirPods Max as soon as this Wednesday, September 14, while free delivery for everyone else in the United States has an estimated arrival day of September 17. As of writing, only Amazon is offering this steep of a discount on the AirPods Max.
AirPods Max feature Active Noise Cancellation technology and the same Transparency mode, Adaptive EQ, and spatial audio features that are in the AirPods Pro. For charging, the headphones come with a Smart Case made out of a soft material that puts AirPods Max in an ultra low-power state to preserve battery charge when not in use.
We track sales for every model of the AirPods in our Best AirPods Deals guide, so be sure to bookmark that page while you shop around for the wireless headphones.
The S8 chip in the Apple Watch Series 8, Apple Watch Ultra, and second-generation Apple Watch SE features the same CPU as the S6 and S7 chips, according to identifier codes.
The CPU within Apple's S8 SiP carries the same T8301 identifier as the CPU in the S6 and S7 chips that debuted in the Apple Watch Series 6 and Apple Watch Series 7. This explains why Apple has only compared its S-series chips in recent years to the S5 chip or earlier.
It also means that the Apple Watch Series 6, Apple Watch Series 7, Apple Watch Series 8, Apple Watch Ultra, and second-generation Apple Watch SE all feature the exact same CPU. It is worth noting that Apple may have still iterated on other parts of the SiP to accommodate new components such as the Apple Watch Series 8's new accelerometer and gyroscope.
The S6, S7, and S8 chips all feature 32GB of storage and dual-core CPUs. When Apple debuted the S6 in the Apple Watch Series 6, the last time it made performance claims about its latest smartwatch lineup, it said that the chip allowed apps to launch 20 percent faster.
The S6, S7, and S8 are based on Apple's A13 Bionic chip from the iPhone 11 lineup and are manufactured using TSMC's 7nm process. Apple transitioned to TSMC's 5nm process starting with the A14 Bionic chip, and the iPhone 14 Pro's A16 Bionic is the first Apple chip to be fabricated with a 4nm process.
One explanation for Apple not advancing the CPU technology in its S-series chips is potential that advancements from using the cores in the A14 chip and TSMC's 5nm or 4nm processes would primarily yield performance improvements, which are no longer essential for the Apple Watch. Waiting for TSMC's 3nm process, which is set to enter mass production toward the end of this year, could yield more meaningful efficiency improvements – an area of much greater importance when it comes to the Apple Watch because it could help prolong battery life.
Apple is releasing iOS 16 to the general public today, offering users new ways to customize their Lock Screen, the ability to edit and unsend messages, and more. While there are several features that users can begin to use right after they update to iOS 16, there are several new features that apps will need to add support for first before users can begin to enjoy them.
Below, we've highlighted three features that users can expect apps to add in the coming days and weeks following the release of iOS 16. Be sure to stay tuned to MacRumors for full coverage of iOS 16's release and apps as they get updated.
Lock Screen Widgets
By itself, the redesigned iOS 16 Lock Screen and the suite of customization features it now provides, such as the ability to choose different fonts and colors for the time, are major changes. On top of that, however, the iPhone Lock Screen now benefits from the ability to add widgets.
Out of the box, iOS 16 offers several widget options for the iOS 16 Lock Screen, including Apple Watch Activity rings, world clock, temperature, calendar, Home, batteries, and more. In the coming days, third-party apps will release their own widgets for the iOS 16 Lock Screen, giving users even more flexibility and freedom over how they wish to customize the face of their iPhone.
Focus Filters
The Focus filters are a new part of iOS 16 that builds on Focus modes introduced with iOS 15 last year. Focus filters allow the parameters you set for your own Focus mode, such as Personal or Work, to carry through into the actual content of individual apps and beyond simply notifications.
For example, users can enable a Focus filter for the Messages app so that only messages from contacts allowed to break through specific Focus modes are shown within the app. Third-party apps will be able to take advantage of Focus filters, allowing users to limit distracting content within apps to only those they wish to focus on.
Coming Later This Year: Live Activities
Coming later this year to an update to iOS 16 is an all-new type of notification and interaction for apps called Live Activities. Live Activities reside on the bottom portion of the Lock Screen and can display real-time and dynamic information from apps, such as Uber for tracking your ride or sports apps for keeping tabs on the scores of a game.
On the iPhone 14 Pro and iPhone 14 Pro Max, Live Activities play an even larger role in the iOS experience. While on other devices Live Activities are only visible on the Lock Screen and Notification Center, the new high-end iPhones display certain types of Live Activities in the Dynamic Island. Learn more about Dynamic Island here.
Apple TV 4K deals have continued to appear on Amazon all summer, and as we head closer to fall we're tracking a new discount on the Apple TV HD as well.
Note: MacRumors is an affiliate partner with Amazon. When you click a link and make a purchase, we may receive a small payment, which helps us keep the site running.
Starting with the 32GB HD model, it's available for an all-time low price of $99.00, down from $149.00. This model includes the new Siri Remote but lacks 4K, HDR10, Dolby Vision, HDMI 2.1, the A12 Bionic chip, and other internal features you can see in our comparison guide.
Still, if you or someone you're buying for doesn't care about 4K resolution and the other internal upgrades available on the Apple TV 4K, this is a solid discount on the entry-level Apple TV HD. It's in stock now and available for delivery by September 14 - 17.
Additionally, the 32GB Apple TV 4K is also available for $119.99 on Amazon, down from $179.00. This sale has been the most consistent deal we've tracked on the Apple TV 4K, and overall it's a second-best price. It also comes with the new version of the Siri Remote.
For more storage, the 64GB Apple TV 4K is on sale for $139.99, down from $199.00. This one can be delivered as soon as this Wednesday as well, and is another second-best price.
Just a few hours before Apple releases iOS 16 to the public, Google has previewed its upcoming Lock Screen widgets for its iPhone apps, including the Google app, Gmail, Google Maps, Chrome, Google News, and Google Drive.
Google says the Lock Screen widgets will be available in the "coming weeks" as its iPhone apps are gradually updated on the App Store.
The widgets allow users to quickly launch into Google apps from the Lock Screen and provide real-time information at a glance:
Google: Initiate a search via text, voice, or the camera
Gmail: View the number of messages in your inbox
Chrome: Initiate a search, including by voice or in incognito mode
Google Drive: Quickly access starred files and folders
Google Maps: View real-time traffic updates and estimated travel times to frequently traveled places like home and work
Google News: View real-time headlines
Note that the Google search widget does not allow you to complete a search on the Lock Screen directly and simply opens the app.
A key new feature of iOS 16 is the ability to personalize the Lock Screen with widgets, multi-layered wallpapers, custom fonts for the date and time, and more. You can also select a set of photos to shuffle on the Lock Screen throughout the day.
The new Lock Screen gallery showcases a range of Lock Screen options, including a new Weather wallpaper with live weather conditions and an Astronomy wallpaper that provides views of the Earth, Moon, and Solar System. iOS 16 includes support for multiple Lock Screen designs, allowing you to switch between your favorites with a swipe.
The always-on display on the iPhone 14 Pro and iPhone 14 Pro Max will intelligently and automatically turn off when a user leaves their iPhone in a room and walks out while wearing an Apple Watch.
The always-on display on the iPhone 14 Pro and iPhone 14 Pro Max will already turn off when the iPhone is in a user's pocket or face down on a table, helping to save battery life while the device is not in use.
According to German YouTuber Felixba, who was present at the Steve Jobs Theater for Apple's "Far out" event last week and had hands-on time with the new products, if a user has an Apple Watch paired to the iPhone 14 Pro and iPhone 14 Pro Max, the iPhone will disable the always-on display once it detects the user has left the room without their phone.
Presumably, the iPhone 14 Pro will use proximity data from the Apple Watch to enable the feature and detect once a user has left the room. Apple made no mention of the unique feature on its website and didn't mention it during its event, but it's likely one of several power-saving features the iPhone 14 Pro's always-on display has.
The iPhone 14 Pro and iPhone 14 Pro Max feature more power-efficient OLED panels with a variable refresh rate as low as 1Hz, saving battery with the always-on display. Additionally, the A16 Bionic chip features a new display engine that helps manage the always-on display and other features such as ProMotion while optimizing power efficiency.
The iPhone 14 Pro and iPhone 14 Pro Max with an always-on display, better cameras, and the all-new Dynamic Island were made available for pre-order this past Friday and will begin arriving to customers on Friday, September 16.
As noted by 9to5Mac, Apple Stores can replace the battery inside an iPhone 14, iPhone 14 Plus, iPhone 14 Pro, or iPhone 14 Pro Max for $99 in the U.S., which is up from $69 for most previous iPhone models. This is a 43% increase to the fee, which includes the cost of a new battery and service by an Apple Store or an Apple Repair Center. iPhone battery replacement fees will vary at third-party Apple Authorized Service Providers.
Customers with AppleCare+ can get an iPhone battery replaced for free, but only if the battery retains less than 80% of its original capacity.
Apple's out-of-warranty service fees have also increased for select other iPhone 14 repairs. For example, in the U.S., Apple charges $379 to fix cracked glass on an iPhone 14 Pro Max's display, compared to $329 for the same repair on an iPhone 13 Pro Max. Apple's iPhone Repair and Service page outlines additional repair fees.
iPhone 14 models are set to launch on September 16, with the exception of the iPhone 14 Plus, which will be available starting October 7.
The iPhone 14 and iPhone 14 Plus have seen "bad" pre-order results, indicating that Apple's positioning of the two new standard models may have failed, according to Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo.
In his latest post on Medium, Kuo explained that the iPhone 14 Pro and iPhone 14 Pro Max have seen "neutral" and "good" pre-order results compared to the iPhone 13 Pro and iPhone 13 Pro Max. Delivery wait times of more than four weeks may indicate good demand for the new high-end devices. It is apparently "unclear" whether Apple will increase shipment forecasts of its Pro models, but there is a "growing" chance that it will cut orders of the iPhone 14 and iPhone 14 Plus, which currently account for around 45 percent of the entire lineup's shipments.
The iPhone 14 and iPhone 14 Plus are expected to be in stock in retail stores on their launch dates, "reflecting lackluster demand." As it stands, Kuo says that the pre-order results for the iPhone 14 and iPhone 14 Plus are worse than those of the third-generation iPhone SE and the iPhone 13 mini. He noted that Apple cut orders of both the third-generation iPhone SE and the iPhone 13 mini in the first half of 2022 due to low demand.
If demand for the two standard models do not improve, Apple may cut iPhone 14 and iPhone 14 Plus orders as soon as November. Suppliers who are not major beneficiaries of Apple's iPhone 14 Pro models will likely see the start of declining revenue in September and October as a result.
For iPhone 14 Plus, in particular, the "pre-order result is significantly lower than expected." As a model that effectively replaces the "mini" form factor in the latest iPhone lineup, with 6.1-inch and 6.7-inch display sizes now being the only options, Kuo said that "Apple's product segmentation strategy for standard models fails this year."
All four of the iPhone 14 models were announced by Apple last week and have been available to pre-order since September 9. The iPhone 14, iPhone 14 Pro, and iPhone 14 Pro Max are set to launch on Friday, September 16, and the iPhone 14 Plus will launch on Friday, October 7.
The Apple Watch Series 8 replaces the Apple Watch Series 7 in Apple's smartwatch lineup, but how different are the two successive smartwatch generations?
In 2021, Apple unveiled the Apple Watch Series 7, including features like taller casing sizes with larger displays, slimmer bezels, improved durability, and faster charging technology. The Apple Watch Series 7 has now been discontinued by Apple, and as year-old models, prices at third-party resellers are falling. As such, some customers may be weighing up whether to upgrade to a Series 7 or a Series 8.
The Apple Watch Series 7 and Series 8 share the overwhelming majority of their features, so should you consider buying or sticking with the Series 7 to save money? This breakdown also serves as a way to see all the differences that the new Apple Watch brings to the table.
Differences
Apple Watch Series 7
Apple Watch Series 8
S7 chip
S8 chip (Same CPU as S7)
Gyroscope and accelerometer
More powerful gyroscope and high dynamic range accelerometer
-
Crash Detection
Third-generation optical heart sensor, electrical heart sensor for ECG, and blood oxygen sensor
Optical heart sensor, electrical heart sensor for ECG, blood oxygen sensor, and body temperature sensor
-
Wrist temperature sensing during sleep
-
Cycle tracking with retrospective ovulation estimates
Aluminum casing in Midnight, Starlight, PRODUCT(RED), Blue, or Green
Aluminum casing in Midnight, Starlight, PRODUCT(RED), or Silver
Stainless Steel casing in Gold, Silver, or Graphite
Stainless Steel casing in Gold, Silver, or Graphite
Titanium casing in Titanium or Space Black
-
Final Thoughts
Overall, the Apple Watch Series 8 is a very minor upgrade over the Series 7, with the body temperature sensor and Crash Detection being the only significant changes, meaning that it is difficult to recommend upgrading. Many Apple Watch Series 7 users will likely not be able to justify upgrading to the Series 8, but some customers coming from an older model could still have good reason to preference the latest models, namely those who do not have an iPhone 14 model with Crash Detection and women who want to take advantage of the cycle tracking features. The Apple Watch Series 8 is very similar to the Series 7, so customers who have an older Apple Watch model and are looking for an upgrade may prefer to look for a discounted Apple Watch Series 7.
All Apple Stores in the United Kingdom will be closed on Monday, September 19, out of respect for the planned state funeral of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, Apple told UK-based staff today.
Monday, September 19, has been marked as a bank holiday by King Charles III, given the planned state funeral for Her Majesty. Official government guidance states that it's up to individual businesses whether they wish to close on that day.
Apple also told staff that this coming Wednesday, the first day the Queen's coffin is expected to lie in state in London, it will operate at a reduced capacity in its stores across the United Kingdom. Reduced working capacities are expected to continue into the weekend for some locations.
Following her death, Apple has kept a tribute to the Queen on its UK front page.
Apple does not advertise battery capacities for its new iPhone 14 lineup, but MacRumors has obtained this information from a Chinese regulatory database.
Three out of four iPhone 14 models feature larger battery capacities compared to the iPhone 13 lineup, with the exception being the iPhone 14 Pro Max, which is equipped with a slightly smaller battery compared to the iPhone 13 Pro Max.
Battery capacities for the iPhone 13 lineup:
iPhone 13 mini: 2,406 mAh
iPhone 13: 3,227 mAh
iPhone 13 Pro: 3,095 mAh
iPhone 13 Pro Max: 4,352 mAh
Battery capacities for the iPhone 14 lineup:
iPhone 14: 3,279 mAh
iPhone 14 Plus: 4,325 mAh
iPhone 14 Pro: 3,200 mAh
iPhone 14 Pro Max: 4,323 mAh
The same database accurately revealed battery capacities for all four iPhone 13 models and the 14-inch and 16-inch MacBook Pro ahead of those devices launching last year. These exact battery capacities for all iPhone 14 models were also leaked in a post on Chinese website Weibo that was highlighted by Twitter account ShrimpApplePro in June.
Apple says all four iPhone 14 models feature "all-day battery life." iPhone 14, iPhone 14 Pro, and iPhone 14 Pro Max models feature up to one hour longer battery life for offline video playback compared to the equivalent iPhone 13 models, according to tech specs on Apple's website, while there is no directly comparable model for the iPhone 14 Plus.
Due to its larger 6.7-inch display size and lack of some Pro model features, the iPhone 14 Plus features the longest battery life ever of any iPhone, according to Apple. However, this is not entirely true, as Apple's tech specs indicate that the iPhone 14 Pro Max still gets the longest battery life for video playback, likely due to the ProMotion display's ability to ramp down the refresh rate for lower power consumption.
All four iPhone 14 models were announced by Apple last week and have been available to pre-order since September 9. The devices are set to launch on September 16, with the exception of the iPhone 14 Plus, which will be available starting October 7.
Following its September event focused on new iPhone and Apple Watch models, Apple often holds another event in October focused on new iPad and Mac models, and this year will likely be no exception. October is still three weeks away, but we already have a good idea of the products that would likely be announced at an event next month.
For the October event, rumors suggest that Apple plans to announce new iPad Pro models with the M2 chip, a redesigned 10th-generation entry-level iPad, and at least a few more Macs powered by the M2 series of chips, with potential candidates including the 14-inch and 16-inch MacBook Pro, the Mac mini, and/or the Mac Pro.
The next iPad Pro models will feature a similar chassis design as the current models, but with "four-pin connectors" on the top and bottom edges, according to Japanese blog Mac Otakara. The purpose of these connectors and whether they would replace the existing three-pin Smart Connector on the iPad Pro is unclear.
Apple last updated the iPad Pro in April 2021, with new features including the M1 chip, a Thunderbolt port, 5G support for cellular models, a mini-LED display on the 12.9-inch model, and an upgraded 12-megapixel front camera with support for Apple's Center Stage feature, which helps keep you within the frame in video apps like FaceTime.
While the 10th-generation iPad is expected to retain a Touch ID home button, rumors suggest the device will no longer have a headphone jack.
A questionable report from Mac Otakara claimed that the 10th-generation iPad will actually feature a Touch ID power button on the top edge of the chassis, like the latest iPad Air and iPad mini models. The report also claimed that the FaceTime camera could be positioned in the right bezel of the device for landscape usage.
Apple released the 9th-generation iPad in September 2021, with key features including a 10.2-inch display, an A13 Bionic chip, an upgraded 12-megapixel front camera with support for the Center Stage feature, True Tone, and double the base storage. In the U.S., the 10.2-inch iPad starts at $329 with 64GB of storage.
More Macs With M2 Chips
In late August, Gurman said Apple had been working on M2-based Mac mini, MacBook Pro, and Mac Pro models, adding that we were "likely to see at least a pair of those machines about two months from now," which lines up with October. However, it is possible that some of these Macs could be announced later in the year or next year.
Mac mini With M2 and M2 Pro Chips
Apple released the Mac mini with an M1 chip as one of its first three Apple silicon Macs in November 2020. Nearly two years later, a new version of the Mac mini with an M2 chip is on the horizon, according to Gurman.
Apple's next-generation 14-inch and 16-inch MacBook Pro models with M2 Pro and M2 Max chips are "well into development and testing," and planned for release "as early as this fall," according to Gurman. As usual in recent years, Gurman said the timeframe could be pushed back due to supply chain disruptions or other factors.
While some reports suggested that the M2 Pro and M2 Max chips may be Apple's first 3nm chips, it looks increasingly likely that the chips will remain 5nm. The chips would still have modest performance improvements over the M1 Pro and M1 Max chips, and increases in GPU core counts and unified memory (RAM) are also likely.
Mac Pro With M2 Ultra and "M2 Extreme" Chips
After announcing the Mac Studio at its March 2022 event, Apple teased that an Apple silicon version of the Mac Pro tower was coming later.
Back in 2020, Apple said its transition from Intel processors to Apple silicon chips across the Mac lineup would take around two years to be completed, so the new Mac Pro is expected to be announced by the end of 2022.
The new Mac Pro will be equipped with "M2 Ultra" and "M2 Extreme" chips, according to Gurman. It's possible the new Mac Pro will be smaller due to the switch to Apple silicon, but it's unclear if the desktop computer will have any major design changes compared to the current Intel-based model released in December 2019.
The new Mac Pro would be the fastest Mac ever, topping the Mac Studio with the M1 Ultra chip.
Apple TV With A14 Chip?
Apple plans to launch a new Apple TV with an "improved cost structure" in the second half of 2022, according to analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, but it's unclear if the device would be announced during the October event or at another time.
A new Apple TV is in development with an A14 chip and 4GB of RAM, according to Gurman, but it's unclear if this model is the same one that Kuo referred to. Either way, the internal upgrades would result in faster performance compared to the current Apple TV 4K, which is equipped with an A12 chip and 3GB of RAM.
Released in April 2021, the current Apple TV 4K starts at $179 with 32GB of storage, while the Apple TV HD remains available for $149. By comparison, there are many streaming sticks from brands like Chromecast and Roku available for between $25 and $100.
iPadOS 16 and macOS Ventura Release Dates
Apple says iPadOS 16 and macOS Ventura will be released in October, and exact release dates will likely be announced at the event.
Note: MacRumors is an affiliate partner with Amazon. When you click a link and make a purchase, we may receive a small payment, which helps us keep the site running.
Note: MacRumors is an affiliate partner with Amazon. When you click a link and make a purchase, we may receive a small payment, which helps us keep the site running.
