Touch ID MacBook, 'Series 4' Apple Watch with ceramic back, USB-C iPad Pro may be coming

Posted:
in Future Apple Hardware edited June 2020
Analyst Ming-Chi Kuo has chimed in on Apple's releases expected before the end of 2018, with the analyst saying that the wide-range of products will fuel suppliers -- and Apple's bottom line.

Imminent product refreshes, as predicted by Ming-Chi Kuo
Imminent product refreshes, as predicted by Ming-Chi Kuo


Most of the report seen by AppleInsider reiterates previous work by the TF International Securities analyst. Ming-Chi Kuo still expects the LCD 6.1-inch iPhone to account for about 55 percent of the shipments in the second half of 2018, growing to nearly 70 percent before the first half of 2019 is over.

MacBook and MacBook Air

As previously mentioned, Kuo also predicts that a new "low-price MacBook" may replace the MacBook Air and possibly the existing MacBook. It is expected to have Touch ID, though -- but not the Touch Bar as found in the MacBook Pro.

The rumor mill has gone back and forth regarding Apple's plans at the low end of the Mac portable lineup. Rumors from earlier in the year suggested that the MacBook Air was getting a Retina Display,, with more recent ones suggesting an entirely new product was imminent.

iPad Pro

The iPad Pro is also expected to see an update, with an enhancement to charging speed, and data transmission speed with a shift to USB-C for the connector. Rumors about a new iPad Pro suggest that the 10.5- and 12.9-inch models will lose some bezels, and possibly ditch the headphone jack at the same time.

"Series 4" Apple Watch

The "Series 4" Apple Watch is again said to have narrower bezels. Additionally, it is predicted to support electrocardiography, and all models have some form of ceramic back, as opposed to a composite back.

Previous rumors have pegged the Apple Watch "Series 4" to have a higher resolution, as well as a faster processor.

Aside from support for new hardware watchOS 5 will bring a Walkie Talkie app and native podcast support, including offline playback for both first- and third-party apps. People will also be able to launch Siri by raising their wrist, and get proactive suggestions from the Siri watchface based on daily routines.

Fitness followers will get long-awaited automatic workout detection, new Yoga and Hiking workouts, and pace alerts for people wanting to keep up a certain speed during runs and walks.
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Comments

  • Reply 1 of 29
    wood1208wood1208 Posts: 2,905member
    Kuo predicts, upcoming Macbook might have TouchID but not full touchbar, is most sensible thing for MAC laptops. Wish Apple just get rid of that touchbar and have either full screen touch or simply touchID or FaceID for secure login..
    seanj1983williamlondon
  • Reply 2 of 29
    wood1208 said:
    Kuo predicts, upcoming Macbook might have TouchID but not full touchbar, is most sensible thing for MAC laptops. Wish Apple just get rid of that touchbar and have either full screen touch or simply touchID or FaceID for secure login..
    It would be great to make the touchbar an option on the 15”. I have no use for it, especially at the cost premium. 
    dws-2stompywilliamlondonirelandkiowavt
  • Reply 3 of 29
    It’s amazing how every time Kuo puts out a note the rumor sites rush to post it and every Apple focused techie rushes to comment on it as if it’s fact. It’s not. He’s just making guesses like everyone else. And it’s hard fornme to take seriously a rumor that says iPad Pro is going USB-C but no other iOS product will. What’s the point? And then everyone who owns an Apple Pencil would need an adapter to charge it with the new iPad? Makes no sense.
    chiabb-15
  • Reply 4 of 29
    mac_128mac_128 Posts: 3,454member
    I doubt the iPad Pro would switch to USB-C and remove the headphone jack. Maybe add a USB-C port for compatibility with computers since Apple is marketing as a computer replacement. But there is no USB-C audio standard yet, and by removing the headphone jack make the iPad Pro incompatible with all other iOS devices for headphones, not to mention accessories like the Pencil, requiring yet more adapters.
    chiabb-15kiowavt
  • Reply 5 of 29
    Not sure I buy the MacBook with touchID one. It already has unlock with Apple Watch. 
  • Reply 6 of 29
    But can you charge the new iPads using AirPower? Probably not as fast as USB C but much laying the iPad on a charge pad is much easier than trying to plug in a fiddly little cable in the dark when you are half asleep (and much less noise).
  • Reply 7 of 29
    mac_128 said:
    I doubt the iPad Pro would switch to USB-C and remove the headphone jack. Maybe add a USB-C port for compatibility with computers since Apple is marketing as a computer replacement. But there is no USB-C audio standard yet, and by removing the headphone jack make the iPad Pro incompatible with all other iOS devices for headphones, not to mention accessories like the Pencil, requiring yet more adapters.
    To be fair, adaptors have become Apple’s thing. 
    williamlondon
  • Reply 8 of 29
    TouchID is most of what I use my 15” Touch Bar for. And I would buy a 13”+ MacBook (not Air and not Pro) with TouchID in moments. The small one is too small a screen tho I love it, and TouchID is great on a laptop if you haven’t had it.
    williamlondon
  • Reply 9 of 29
    irelandireland Posts: 17,798member
    It’s amazing how every time Kuo puts out a note the rumor sites rush to post it and every Apple focused techie rushes to comment on it as if it’s fact. It’s not. He’s just making guesses like everyone else. And it’s hard fornme to take seriously a rumor that says iPad Pro is going USB-C but no other iOS product will. What’s the point? And then everyone who owns an Apple Pencil would need an adapter to charge it with the new iPad? Makes no sense.
    They won't need a Lightning port for Pencil, because apologists will find some argument to make that doesn't hold water about how this improves Apple pencil: "now you'll care more about every stroke" ;-)
    edited September 2018
  • Reply 10 of 29
    irelandireland Posts: 17,798member

    eightzero said:
    Not sure I buy the MacBook with touchID one. It already has unlock with Apple Watch. 
    Unlocking this Mac is so easy, you just buy a $500 watch.
    tyler82williamlondonnetrox
  • Reply 11 of 29
    irelandireland Posts: 17,798member

    kiowavt said:
    TouchID is most of what I use my 15” Touch Bar for.
    I never felt it was accurate to call Touch ID part of the Touch bar. I think of it as more or less beside it.
    kiowavt
  • Reply 12 of 29
    mac_128mac_128 Posts: 3,454member
    ireland said:
    It’s amazing how every time Kuo puts out a note the rumor sites rush to post it and every Apple focused techie rushes to comment on it as if it’s fact. It’s not. He’s just making guesses like everyone else. And it’s hard fornme to take seriously a rumor that says iPad Pro is going USB-C but no other iOS product will. What’s the point? And then everyone who owns an Apple Pencil would need an adapter to charge it with the new iPad? Makes no sense.
    They won't need a Lightning porn for Pencil, because apologists will find some argument to make that doesn't hold water about how this somehow this improves Apple pencil: "now you'll care more about every stroke" ;-)
    Well I know you're being sarcastic, but why does the Pencil need Lightning? Why not use the Smart Connector and a magnetic attachment. Just snap the Pencil onto the side of the iPad and it charges while being somewhat securely held to the iPad. It could also be used with any inductive charging pads, or even the inductive coils on the iPad or iPhone. 

    Apple does intend to eliminate ports completely at some point, so we should get used to thinking about how their existing Lightning connected devices will operate in the absence of Lightning. Take for instance the Apple Mouse, and all the complaints about Lightning port on the bottom, making it unusable when charging. That would change substantially if let's say there were an inductive charging Mouse Pad. 

    Apple is moving in the right direction here and USB-C isn't it, though USB-C will likely be necessary for any device which purports to replace a computer, like the iPad Pro.
    williamlondon
  • Reply 13 of 29
    Seriously, no rumors about FaceID for the MacBook Pro line?

    Let’s start it now then…  B)
    caladanianbikertwin
  • Reply 14 of 29
    irelandireland Posts: 17,798member
    mac_128 said:

    Well I know you're being sarcastic, but why does the Pencil need Lightning? Why not use the Smart Connector and a magnetic attachment. Just snap the Pencil onto the side of the iPad and it charges while being somewhat securely held to the iPad.
    It will mean a new Apple Pencil and slower charging, but yes it's a better idea and has been suggested previously by others. The end of the pencil should act as a rubber, too, as it requires no iPad interaction to do and is intuitive and is more consistent across all drawing and paining apps—this too would warrant a new pencil design.
    edited September 2018 caladanian
  • Reply 15 of 29
    irelandireland Posts: 17,798member

    mac_128 said:

    Take for instance the Apple Mouse, and all the complaints about Lightning port on the bottom, making it unusable when charging. That would change substantially if let's say there were an inductive charging Mouse Pad. 
    I believe that design choice was so people could never use it in wired mode, as Jony and gang probably felt they'd never unplug it and then it may as well not be wireless. But I think it was misguided design thinking. Typical wireless mice for the most part are more annoying with all the repeat charging or swapping of batteries. They should have swallowed their design pride and put the port on the lower front, and allow people who want to use it wired to do so and others to not.

    As for your inductive mouse pad idea, I feel a better concept would be put the inductive charger in the iMac foot, and allow that to charge both keyboard and mouse. The mouse pad would need to have a wire coming from it; the iMac foot is already attached—and they could do one better and allow it to charge with iMac Shut Down, but connected to power, or at least while sleep mode.

    Personally switched to wired mouse recently and will soon switch to wired keyboard.
    edited September 2018
  • Reply 16 of 29
    irelandireland Posts: 17,798member
    svanstrom said:
    Seriously, no rumors about FaceID for the MacBook Pro line?

    Let’s start it now then…  B)
    Face ID is coming for MacBook Pro line, but only the 15".

    (I made that up; to clarify)
    edited September 2018 svanstrom
  • Reply 17 of 29
    ireland said:
    It’s amazing how every time Kuo puts out a note the rumor sites rush to post it and every Apple focused techie rushes to comment on it as if it’s fact. It’s not. He’s just making guesses like everyone else. And it’s hard fornme to take seriously a rumor that says iPad Pro is going USB-C but no other iOS product will. What’s the point? And then everyone who owns an Apple Pencil would need an adapter to charge it with the new iPad? Makes no sense.
    They won't need a Lightning port for Pencil, because apologists will find some argument to make that doesn't hold water about how this improves Apple pencil: "now you'll care more about every stroke" ;-)
    If that's what supposed apologists will say, what will the very real haters say?
    williamlondon
  • Reply 18 of 29

    ireland said:

    mac_128 said:

    Take for instance the Apple Mouse, and all the complaints about Lightning port on the bottom, making it unusable when charging. That would change substantially if let's say there were an inductive charging Mouse Pad. 
    I believe that design choice was so people could never use it in wired mode, as Jony and gang probably felt they'd never unplug it and then it may as well not be wireless. But I think it was misguided design thinking. Typical wireless mice for the most part are more annoying with all the repeat charging or swapping of batteries. They should have swallowed their design pride and put the port on the lower front, and allow people who want to use it wired to do so and others to not.

    As for your inductive mouse pad idea, I feel a better concept would be put the inductive charger in the iMac foot, and allow that to charge both keyboard and mouse. The mouse pad would need to have a wire coming from it; the iMac foot is already attached—and they could do one better and allow it to charge with iMac Shut Down, but connected to power, or at least while sleep mode.

    Personally switched to wired mouse recently and will soon switch to wired keyboard.
    Errrnt, it's not about "pride" and some crazy story that they're trying to force you to use it wireless. The answer is simpler, just look at the Magic Mouse -- there is no front for a port, it's a glass touch surface all the way down. The wireless version is the same design as the wired, so changing its shell shape completely is unwarranted when just making a wireless version.

    I doubt you own one, but I do. Charging is rare and not the slightest of concerns. If for some reason I failed to heed the notification that it will soon need charging and plug it in after my session, then I can plug it in before a session for one minute what I get a drink of water or coffee or use the bathroom or flip thru some papers or whatever -- and it's charged for an entire day's use. Conversely I also have a wireless mouse that can be used plugged in, and I rarely use it. The MM design is better, period.

    The whiners bitching about not being able to plug it in and use it are typical PC guys and the OCD hater sort, who don't even use the stuff they're complaining about.
    edited September 2018 williamlondondocno42stompyfastasleepbestkeptsecret
  • Reply 19 of 29
    ireland said:

    eightzero said:
    Not sure I buy the MacBook with touchID one. It already has unlock with Apple Watch. 
    Unlocking this Mac is so easy, you just buy a $500 watch.
    Marked down from $14,000. Deal.
    tyler82ireland
  • Reply 20 of 29
    sflocalsflocal Posts: 6,092member

    ireland said:

    mac_128 said:

    Take for instance the Apple Mouse, and all the complaints about Lightning port on the bottom, making it unusable when charging. That would change substantially if let's say there were an inductive charging Mouse Pad. 
    I believe that design choice was so people could never use it in wired mode, as Jony and gang probably felt they'd never unplug it and then it may as well not be wireless. But I think it was misguided design thinking. Typical wireless mice for the most part are more annoying with all the repeat charging or swapping of batteries. They should have swallowed their design pride and put the port on the lower front, and allow people who want to use it wired to do so and others to not.

    As for your inductive mouse pad idea, I feel a better concept would be put the inductive charger in the iMac foot, and allow that to charge both keyboard and mouse. The mouse pad would need to have a wire coming from it; the iMac foot is already attached—and they could do one better and allow it to charge with iMac Shut Down, but connected to power, or at least while sleep mode.

    Personally switched to wired mouse recently and will soon switch to wired keyboard.
    Errrnt, it's not about "pride" and some crazy story that they're trying to force you to use it wireless. The answer is simpler, just look at the Magic Mouse -- there is no front for a port, it's a glass touch surface all the way down. The wireless version is the same design as the wired, so changing its shell shape completely is unwarranted when just making a wireless version.

    I doubt you own one, but I do. Charging is rare and not the slightest of concerns. If for some reason I failed to heed the notification that it will soon need charging and plug it in after my session, then I can plug it in before a session for one minute what I get a drink of water or coffee or use the bathroom or flip thru some papers or whatever -- and it's charged for an entire day's use. Conversely I also have a wireless mouse that can be used plugged in, and I rarely use it. The MM design is better, period.

    The whiners bitching about not being able to plug it in and use it are typical PC guys and the OCD hater sort, who don't even use the stuff they're complaining about.
    Absolutely agree with you.  I can't believe people are STILL whining and complaining about what is essentially a non-issue.  One has DAYS after getting a battery-low notification message to plug recharge their mouse, yet apparently can't be bothered to plug the damn cable over night when they go to sleep or leave the office for the night.  

    Seriously... go find something worthwhile to complain about.  This has NEVER been an issue for the majority, but damn.. the vocal minority has a real beef about something so inconsequential.  Heck, if you decide to ignore the multiple messages of days about it - yes, YOUR fault - plug the damn mouse in for 5 minutes while you go to the bathroom or get coffee and you're good for the next few days at the minimum.

    Sheesh... first-world problems.
    stompyfastasleepwilliamlondon
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