Apple’s WWDC 2020 is getting closer, the developer conference that the Cupertino firm tends to take advantage of to present some of its most anticipated products. We will hardly see the iPhone 12 being born there, but despite this, we will have very expected surprises at the software level and (hopefully) at the hardware level.
Because there is a lot of hype. Not only because of the fact that the COVID-19 has burst like an elephant into a junkyard, but because big announcements such as iOS 14 and hardware updates like new iMac are expected.
Redesigned iMacs
Apple’s all-in-one computers have been at the center of controversy lately. They are computers that have not been very spoiled by the apple; MacBooks have received much more love in recent months if possible, and just look at their latest releases. The last iMac that we can buy on the web is the hardware renovation last year, with 8th generation Intel processors.
The latest rumors speak of a deep overhaul of the iMac. We are no longer talking about the expected hardware upgrade to 10th generation Intel processors; We are talking about a radical change in design, which would basically consist of emulating the design of the iPad Pro 2020 and bringing it to an ‘all in one’ computer format.
MacBooks with proprietary processors
A while ago since Apple stopped using third-party mobile processors on their iPhones. For several generations, Apple has used so-called Apple AXs, which are substantially more powerful than processors from other companies, such as Qualcomm. Apple is also expected to make the leap in this regard to the MacBook.
And it makes more sense than meets the eye. Apple is tied to Intel, and it is not a mystery that it is not going through its best moment in front of AMD. This would be the ideal opportunity to ensure that your MacBooks do not depend so much on other manufacturers and, thus, have more control over the hardware and consequently over the hardware that these devices mount.
iOS 14
Despite the fact that iOS 14 was leaked months ago, the leaks have remained stable within what would be expected. Specific functions such as the hypothetical support of the Apple Pencil for the iPhone 12 and details such as its home screen have been leaked.
Since iOS is an especially mature system, the only thing we hope for from the new Apple system is that it can give the user more options and be backward compatible. The latest betas and documents speak of extreme compatibility with almost all devices running iOS 13, which would allow devices as old as the first-generation SE to host iOS 14.
iPadOS
If iOS 14 comes, it comes with iPadOS 14, which for practical purposes remains almost the same. In this case, the expected developments are more diffuse, since not as many of them have been leaked as we could expect. In this case, it is expected to have more fluid and intuitive multitasking and that the focus of Apple remains productivity.
Many of the changes that will be made in iOS 14, both aesthetically and functionally, will come to the iPad, as new functions at the level of augmented reality or support for Apple Pencil in browsers.
Apple TV 6
Apple TV could also receive a much-needed renovation. The latest model, the 5th generation is already around 3 years old, and although its A10X Fusion processor is more than solvent for the day today, it is expected that it can be updated with a more current processor such as the A12X Bionic. Mentions to this appear in the latest betas of tvOS.
AirPods Studio …
Apple still sins of not having certain products in its portfolio, and some of them are undoubtedly large format headphones. At a time when Sony dominates the high-quality audio market with an iron fist, Apple needs to enter this market.
And everything points to it being so; the latest rumors speak of alleged AirPods Studio, which would offer a very high-end sound even compared to AirPods Pro, Apple’s most expensive true wireless headphones.
… and AirPods X
Just as specifically wide-format headphones are expected, Apple would also be preparing alleged AirPods X, a variant of its headphones specialized for athletes.
These would be ideal for runners and would have a cable to help hold them, as well as being certified against sweat and dust. They would build on the Beats X and help increase Apple’s portfolio of audio products.
Apple AirTags
They have been rumored for a while, but it is expected that Apple will also give an opportunity to what are known as AirTags, locators like Tile’s but in a sticker format. These would allow us to locate our devices wherever they are, a perfect complement for those of us who are prone to lose our devices, even AirPods.
AirPower… wait for what?
Surely right now you are remembering when Apple canceled its multiple charging bases to the boredom of all users. So why do we talk about them? Apple is a stubborn company in its own way, and this cancellation was quite harsh for the firm. It is not for less; even the boxes in which the AirPower would come were leaked, indicating that the product was practically ready.
Analysts like Ming-Chi Kuo have predicted the arrival of a new AirPower, this time one that works well enough that it doesn’t have the overheating issues that prompted its cancellation. After all, Apple sells an AirPower in its store, though not manufactured by the firm.
This cradle could only charge one device at a time (instead of 3 as expected from the original AirPower). According to Kuo’s predictions, Apple would revive this concept in the form of a smaller official wireless charging base. You could charge only one device at a time, but you would avoid overheating issues by needing more power for more devices.
What’s new in software
Finally, news is expected for the rest of Apple’s operating systems, such as tvOS, watchOS, etc. Specifically, watchOS 7 will arrive, with new watch faces and new information sampling methods to give more analysis capacity to the Apple watch. There is also talk of a children’s mode, which would include a variety of new features designed to better manage what our children do with watches.
On macOS 10.16 not too many news are expected, beyond a new Messages app and greater integration with iPad and iPhone apps. The same goes for tvOS 14, which although it could receive a renewal thanks to the supposed new Apple TV, would not add anything new except a hypothetical mode for children.