iPad Air, affordable Apple Watch, 'AirPods Studio,' small HomePod predicted for fall

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in General Discussion edited November 2020
Apple is reportedly readying a bevy of new products for its annual fall iPhone event, including a fresh iPad Air with edge-to-edge display, affordable Apple Watch entry and a pair of branded luxury headphones.

iPad Pro


Citing sources familiar with the matter, Bloomberg adds its voice to a cacophony of rumors regarding Apple's plans for "iPhone 12," saying the company has put in orders for at least 75 million 5G handsets this year. That figure could reach 80 million units in 2020, according to the report.

Echoing rumblings that have circulated since last December, Bloomberg says Apple will field four new iPhone models this fall, each boasting OLED screen technology and 5G connectivity. Standard "iPhone" variants will come in 5.4-and 6.1-inch sizes, while a "Pro" lineup consists of 6.1- and 6.7-inch options, the latter of which will sport Apple's LiDAR Scanner.

Employees testing the new devices say the 6.7-inch screen is one of the year's "most notable improvements," sources said, while others note 5G networks are not greatly improving data speeds. The report further corroborates recent rumors that a dark blue color choice will replace last year's Midnight Green.

Apple also plans to launch a new iPad Air model that borrows its design from the company's iPad Pro lineup. Though the report fails to offer details on the device, a supposed leak last week suggested the redesigned tablet shifts Touch ID to the power switch, negating the need for a home button. Those claims follow predictions from analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, who in May pegged Apple to debut a 10.8-inch iPad version, as well as a revamped iPad mini, late this year.

Bloomberg sources also said Apple's first branded over-the-ear headphones, dubbed by media as "AirPods Studio," will launch this fall. Again, Kuo was first to deliver word of the device years ago, saying in 2018 that the product will benefit from an all-new design and high-end audio components. Subsequent rumors claimed the headphones will cost around $350.

A pair of new Apple Watch lines are also on the way, the report said. As usual, Apple is preparing a successor to the current Apple Watch Series 5, but is at the same time working on lower cost hardware to replace the aging Apple Watch Series 3. The more affordable variant, previously rumored to integrate a plastic chassis, is said to be a play at a market currently dominated by Fitbit.

Also in the works, according to Bloomberg, is a cheaper, smaller version of HomePod that will build on the existing smart speaker's audio and Siri capabilities. AirTags, Apple's take on Tile-like location trackers, is also on the docket.

Finally, a next-generation Apple TV with a faster processor for gaming and higher quality video. Interestingly, the report claims the company is developing a feature similar to Find My iPhone that will help users locate the set-top's new remote. The report does not make clear when the new Apple TV will ship, saying only that it could launch in 2021.

Stay on top of all Apple news right from your HomePod or HomePod mini. Say, "Hey, Siri, play AppleInsider Daily," and you'll get a fast update direct from the AppleInsider team.
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Comments

  • Reply 1 of 35
    If this Apple Watch SE is true with the Apple Watch 6 insides for $200 I’d buy it. 
    BeatsOferwatto_cobra
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  • Reply 2 of 35
    saareksaarek Posts: 1,594member
    If this Apple Watch SE is true with the Apple Watch 6 insides for $200 I’d buy it. 
    Join the club, I was all ready to pull the switch on a new Series 6. But if I can get the Series 6 internals for a lot less with Cellular then that’s what I’d go for.
    BeatspulseimagesOferwatto_cobra
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  • Reply 3 of 35
    With the day is getting more and more exciting, now month September has already started.
    Beatspulseimageswatto_cobra
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  • Reply 4 of 35
    Yeah, an affordable watch is coming. Like every year - the Apple Watch 4 or 5 gets discounted. Why on earth should apple develop a watch for the sole reason to sell it cheaper? And what should this be? Made from plastic? Low res screen? Not waterproof?

    Makes no sense to me. 
    flyingdpStrangeDayslolliverwatto_cobra
     4Likes 0Dislikes 0Informatives
  • Reply 5 of 35
    Same goes for the HomePod. Apple developing a "cheaper" version of the HomePod is complete nonsense in my view. Like years back, when every "analyst" was predicting (or demanding) a "cheaper" iPhone as the only way for Apple to survive. The iPhone SE is nothing but a iPhone 7 with some modifications internally. The difference of the 5c was the plastic back cover.

    Apple never competes on price by developing specifically "cheap" hardware. What it does is giving legacy models a discount when new models arrive. This has been successful in the past, so where's the pain for them to change that strategy?

      
    aderutterrandominternetpersonScot1seanjlolliverwatto_cobra
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  • Reply 6 of 35
    My doctor told me last month that I should stop measuring my health data daily (weekly is ok) because a recent study said that doing that can actually be a detriment to one’s health. I presume it creates anxiety and stress. I wonder if all health device manufacturers, like Apple, are aware of this. 
    Ofer
     1Like 0Dislikes 0Informatives
  • Reply 7 of 35
    Beatsbeats Posts: 3,073member
    HomePod mini please.

    Apple Silicon Mac chip in Apple TV please.

    talexy said:
    Yeah, an affordable watch is coming. Like every year - the Apple Watch 4 or 5 gets discounted. Why on earth should apple develop a watch for the sole reason to sell it cheaper? And what should this be? Made from plastic? Low res screen? Not waterproof?

    Makes no sense to me. 

    For people who can't afford the higher end, for kids, for ecosystem expansion, for market share.
    edited September 2020
    beowulfschmidtDogpersonpulseimagesOnPartyBusiness
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  • Reply 8 of 35
    Im interested in this “cheaper Apple Watch”. I’d love a plastic version for my kids that skipped on some of the latest tech but still offered GPS, messaging, & fitness tracking. My son is a little too young (5th grade) for a phone but I’d love to be able to communicate with him via his Apple Watch. Offer it for $199 & I’m in! 
    edited September 2020
    stoneygBeatslolliverwatto_cobra
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  • Reply 9 of 35
    Beats said:
    HomePod mini please.

    Apple Silicon Mac chip in Apple TV please.

    talexy said:
    Yeah, an affordable watch is coming. Like every year - the Apple Watch 4 or 5 gets discounted. Why on earth should apple develop a watch for the sole reason to sell it cheaper? And what should this be? Made from plastic? Low res screen? Not waterproof?

    Makes no sense to me. 

    For people who can't afford the higher end, for kids, for ecosystem expansion, for market share.
    • Well there is an entry price for everything. And people who can't afford the entry price of a certain thing, usually pick something that's either in their reach or they don't bother. Life without Apple Watch is possible.
    • And the marketshare is not something you should aim for with ever cheaper products. It comes as a side effect of building ever better ones. 
    I think that's more like how Apple thinks.
    seanjStrangeDayslolliverwatto_cobra
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  • Reply 10 of 35
    mike1mike1 Posts: 3,453member
    saarek said:
    If this Apple Watch SE is true with the Apple Watch 6 insides for $200 I’d buy it. 
    Join the club, I was all ready to pull the switch on a new Series 6. But if I can get the Series 6 internals for a lot less with Cellular then that’s what I’d go for.
    Consider the possibility of Series 5 internals with a less expensive plastic case that would support an even lower price point and higher margins than just lowering the price of the old model.

    talexy said:
    Same goes for the HomePod. Apple developing a "cheaper" version of the HomePod is complete nonsense in my view. Like years back, when every "analyst" was predicting (or demanding) a "cheaper" iPhone as the only way for Apple to survive. The iPhone SE is nothing but a iPhone 7 with some modifications internally. The difference of the 5c was the plastic back cover.

    Apple never competes on price by developing specifically "cheap" hardware. What it does is giving legacy models a discount when new models arrive. This has been successful in the past, so where's the pain for them to change that strategy?

      
    A physically smaller version of HomePod might be less expensive, but certainly not "cheap". I, for one, would welcome a smaller version and might immediately pick up at least two for places in my home where the current model is just too large.

    seanjStrangeDaysraoulduke42
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  • Reply 11 of 35
    saareksaarek Posts: 1,594member
    talexy said:
    Same goes for the HomePod. Apple developing a "cheaper" version of the HomePod is complete nonsense in my view. Like years back, when every "analyst" was predicting (or demanding) a "cheaper" iPhone as the only way for Apple to survive. The iPhone SE is nothing but a iPhone 7 with some modifications internally. The difference of the 5c was the plastic back cover.

    Apple never competes on price by developing specifically "cheap" hardware. What it does is giving legacy models a discount when new models arrive. This has been successful in the past, so where's the pain for them to change that strategy?

      

    I hope it's a HomePod mini. I'd love to throw my two Alexa units in the bin. I've locked them down as much as possible, but I don't trust Amazon at all!

    I don't need a full HomePod in my Kitchen or Bedroom, but I'll gladly pay £120-150 for a smaller version.
    mike1seanjchristopher126watto_cobra
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  • Reply 12 of 35
    DAalsethdaalseth Posts: 3,136member
    I’m very interested in what they have planned for the new iPad Air. I mean the current one works with the ApplePencil, which I use for messing about with art on my current iPad Pro. Now the form is going to be very similar to the Pro. I was looking at a new iPad Pro this fall, but if the Air does what I need, then why not save a few hundred bucks?
    christopher126bala1234
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  • Reply 13 of 35
    My doctor told me last month that I should stop measuring my health data daily (weekly is ok) because a recent study said that doing that can actually be a detriment to one’s health. I presume it creates anxiety and stress. I wonder if all health device manufacturers, like Apple, are aware of this. 
    What are you checking daily?  

    On the other hand, experts make the case for checking your weight daily as part of a weight-loss program.

    https://www.health.harvard.edu/should-you-weigh-yourself-every-day

    "For many people, daily weigh-ins can be very successful. Keeping a higher level of awareness on small weight changes can motivate the dieter to maintain a healthy lifestyle."
    StrangeDayslolliverwatto_cobra
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  • Reply 14 of 35
    My doctor told me last month that I should stop measuring my health data daily (weekly is ok) because a recent study said that doing that can actually be a detriment to one’s health. I presume it creates anxiety and stress. I wonder if all health device manufacturers, like Apple, are aware of this. 
    My nutritionist told me to weigh myself daily. To each their own. 
    watto_cobra
     1Like 0Dislikes 0Informatives
  • Reply 15 of 35
    talexy said:
    Yeah, an affordable watch is coming. Like every year - the Apple Watch 4 or 5 gets discounted. Why on earth should apple develop a watch for the sole reason to sell it cheaper? And what should this be? Made from plastic? Low res screen? Not waterproof?

    Makes no sense to me. 
    I only paid $250 for my Swiss Army Watch 15 years ago and it’s running like a champ. Apple Watch vs Swiss Army Watch are two different animals. I can change more of the internals of the Swiss Army to keep it going not so much with the Apple. But $250 is really what I feel like paying for a time piece regardless of any extra bells and whistles especially one that will be held back by a future iOS upgrade. 
    edited September 2020
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  • Reply 16 of 35
    talexy said:
    Same goes for the HomePod. Apple developing a "cheaper" version of the HomePod is complete nonsense in my view. Like years back, when every "analyst" was predicting (or demanding) a "cheaper" iPhone as the only way for Apple to survive. The iPhone SE is nothing but a iPhone 7 with some modifications internally. The difference of the 5c was the plastic back cover.

    Apple never competes on price by developing specifically "cheap" hardware. What it does is giving legacy models a discount when new models arrive. This has been successful in the past, so where's the pain for them to change that strategy?

      
    If Apple could actually advance Siri into what Amazon has that would be great for the HomePod. Also the HomePod is lacking any connectivity ports. I understand they want to chain you to their Apple Music but that’s tunnel vision thinking. 
    seanj
     1Like 0Dislikes 0Informatives
  • Reply 17 of 35
    thttht Posts: 5,809member
    Definitely looking forward to replacing our 6S Plus and 8 model iPhones with 2020 models. My 6S Plus, on its second battery, is on it's last legs. Seems to have a multitude of issues these days.

    Still waiting on a large iPad with 8 GB of RAM and miniLED to replace my 2017 iPad Pro 10.5. 

    My Apple TV 3rd gen awaits a new Apple TV model. It's been a surprisingly long wait for a device that rumors have said has been ready fo go for so long now.

    Also going to hold out for Apple Silicon Macs. So, my 2013 iMac 27 must hold on for longer. The non Retina display can be disappointing at times. The kids are now of age where they need a computer for school. Just have to hold out for another year.
    muthuk_vanalingamwatto_cobra
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  • Reply 18 of 35
    DAalsethdaalseth Posts: 3,136member
    If this Apple Watch SE is true with the Apple Watch 6 insides for $200 I’d buy it. 
    Me too. Even with 5 internals. We almost got them last fall, but $500ea CDN was just a bit too much. $200-$250 I think I could justify it.
    pulseimages
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  • Reply 19 of 35
    talexy said:
    Same goes for the HomePod. Apple developing a "cheaper" version of the HomePod is complete nonsense in my view. Like years back, when every "analyst" was predicting (or demanding) a "cheaper" iPhone as the only way for Apple to survive. The iPhone SE is nothing but a iPhone 7 with some modifications internally. The difference of the 5c was the plastic back cover.

    Apple never competes on price by developing specifically "cheap" hardware. What it does is giving legacy models a discount when new models arrive. This has been successful in the past, so where's the pain for them to change that strategy?

      
    I mostly agree with your point, but I definitely see a benefit for HomePod having a smaller, more affordable version. I have the current model in my kitchen/living room. I would never consider buying one to put in a bathroom, or a kids bedroom, because the technology in it is overkill for those areas. If they made a smaller version for a cheaper price I'd buy that in a heartbeat.
    OnPartyBusinesspulseimageslolliverwatto_cobra
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  • Reply 20 of 35
    My doctor told me last month that I should stop measuring my health data daily (weekly is ok) because a recent study said that doing that can actually be a detriment to one’s health. I presume it creates anxiety and stress. I wonder if all health device manufacturers, like Apple, are aware of this. 
    It's been discussed for years; I had a convo with a provider about that back when the AW S0 came out. Personally I don't mind collecting my sleep or activity data and monitoring. I don't sit there worried about it, just review, and if action is needed take action. 
    lolliverwatto_cobra
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