10 Exciting Things We Could See Launched at Apple’s ‘Spring Loaded’ Event Tomorrow
After a couple of false starts, Apple officially announced its April ‘Spring Loaded’ event last week, heralding the release of its first new hardware products for 2021.
While we can never be certain about everything that’s coming, it’s fair to say that Apple is going to have at least a couple of new things to show us — if not more. Even though it’s going to be a virtual presentation, just like last year’s Time Flies, Hi, Speed, and One More Thing events, that doesn’t mean that Apple isn’t going to try to pack in as much as it can.
So, this time around we may finally see some of the new products that we’ve long been waiting for, but it’s certain to be a grab-bag of new Apple goodies either way. Read on for 10 exciting things we’re hoping to see at tomorrow’s Apple event.
The Mini-LED iPad Pro
Probability: Very high.
Along with Apple’s AirTags, we’re expecting a pair of new iPad Pro models to be headliners are the event. Not only are we arguably due for new iPads Pro — the last ones came out over a year ago, and were mostly a minor refresh to the groundbreaking 2018 iPad Pro — but we’ve been hearing multiple solid reports of a mini-LED iPad Pro in the works since at least last fall.
That said, those rumours have focused on the 12.9-inch iPad Pro, suggesting that the new mini-LED display technology is coming only to the larger model. Despite this, however, the 11-inch one is expected to be announced at the same time — it just won’t get the new display. Some reports have also suggested that the mini-LED version won’t be available for purchase until later this spring.
What’s Coming? A 12.9-inch mini-LED iPad Pro and an 11-inch iPad Pro featuring the standard Liquid Retina display. Both models are expected to feature a powerful new “A14X” chip along with a faster Thunderbolt/USB4 port. The jury is still out on whether the cellular models will get 5G support this time around.
AirTags
Probability: Very high.
Apple’s so-called AirTags could very well be the most rumoured and speculated upon accessory in the history of the company. In fact, it was almost two years ago today that we heard the first murmurings that Apple was working on its own version of Tile’s item tracking tags, and while they always seemed like they were just around the corner, it’s clear that they’ve taken a longer road.
Some of this may have been a matter of Apple perfecting the technology, but it’s also likely there were concerns about avoiding needless antitrust controversies, especially after Tile started calling Apple out on its plans. Instead, Apple recently chose to announce its new Find My Network to bring third-party products into the fold. Launching AirTags is now the next logical step.
What’s Coming? Apple’s AirTags. Not much is known about how Apple will package them, but pricing is rumoured to be around $39.99 for a single tag.
A New Apple Pencil
Probability: High.
While it’s hard to imagine what else Apple could do with its stylus, reports suggest the company is poised to release a new third-generation version of the Apple Pencil, and it’s fair to say that if it’s coming, then it will arrive alongside the new iPad Pro lineup tomorrow.
After all, both prior Apple Pencils debuted with their respective iPad Pros, and while Apple Pencil support has since expanded to all of Apple’s iPads, both the first- and second-generation Apple Pencils were exclusive to the current iPad Pro models when they first debuted. It’s likely the third-generation Apple Pencil will take a similar approach in supporting some new feature found only on the 2021 iPad Pro.
What’s Coming: A glossy new Apple Pencil for the 2021 iPad Pro. Compatibility with older models is uncertain, but it will almost certainly offer wireless charging, offer new gestures, and may even include advanced sensors for things like colour-matching.
The ‘iPad mini 6’
Probability: High.
Apple’s iPad mini has once again become the orphaned stepchild in the tablet lineup, now stretching on for over two years without any kind of update. There are rumours that Apple has been working on a new model, but they’ve also been somewhat vague and confusing. Some reports suggest we’ll see a miniature version of the fourth-generation iPad Air, with an edge-to-edge screen and side Touch ID button, while others are saying that it’s going to be a much more modest refresh of the 2019 model, simply upgrading the processor and increasing the screen size.
At this point, all the recent evidence points to the latter, including leaked photos showing the design. However, the fact that these were shown alongside iPad Pro dummy casings does suggest that it will launch tomorrow alongside the new iPad Pro lineup. That said, we’re not ruling out the possibility that a more sophisticated iPad mini Pro could still come later this year.
What’s Coming: A new iPad mini with the traditional design that increases the size of the screen slightly, by narrowing the bezels in the same way that standard iPads made their jump from 9.7 inches into the 10-inch range. A faster A-series CPU, but unlikely to go all the way to the A14X. Likely an A13 or A14.
‘AirPods 3’
Probability: Medium.
Another product that’s arguably overdue for a refresh is Apple’s AirPods. We say “arguably” because it’s really only been a little over two years, which is about the same time that elapsed between the release of the original AirPods in Dec 2016 and the second-generation AirPods in March 2019.
However, “AirPods 3” have also been the subject of much debate. Several leaked images suggest that they’re ready to go, while reputable analyst Ming-Chi Kuo said last month that mass production of the new AirPods hadn’t even begun yet, nor was it expected to start until later this year.
While both sources can’t be right, it’s also possible that Kuo’s sources are confusing the standard new AirPods with the also-rumoured AirPods Pro, which most sources agree that we won’t see until this fall. The fact that the third-generation AirPods are gaining some design aspects of the current AirPods Pro could also add to this confusion.
What’s Coming: Third-generation AirPods that will feature smaller stems and a tighter in-ear design, similar to the AirPods Pro but without removable ear tips. No Active Noise Cancellation, but possibly support for Spatial Audio. Likely no significant improvements in battery life, either.
iOS 14.5
Probability: Almost certain.
This one is basically a slam-dunk. Apple’s iOS 14.5 is now in its eighth developer beta, and it’s very likely Apple is simply waiting for tomorrow’s event to turn the key on the public release.
Whether Apple will make any mention of it during the event is another question, however. In the past, iOS point releases have come out to support new products and services unveiled at Apple events, but they rarely get stage time of their own. Usually, just a passing mention, if that.
What’s Coming: The public release of iOS 14.5, offering several new features, including the ability for Apple Watch users to unlock their iPhone while wearing a mask. Expect it to be available for download very soon after the event concludes.
Apple Podcasts+
Probability: Medium.
Two years ago, Apple made a big push into the service business with the announcement of Apple TV+, Apple News+, and Apple Arcade, and while these services have had varying levels of success, there’s no doubt that Apple doesn’t plan to stop there.
Not long after that, we began hearing about Apple working on its next potential service: Apple Podcasts+. Since then, it’s slowly been taking shape, and recent reports suggest it’s on track to launch this year.
Apple may have also telegraphed the move with a recent change in its Podcasts app, rebranding the old “Subscribe” buttons to “Follow.” While many believed this was intended to encourage more people to consume podcasts by making it clear that they were free, it also very obviously paves the way for a new button to handle paid podcast subscriptions. Although Apple Podcasts+ is expected to be a subscription service, it’s possible it might have an “à la carte” offering for certain premium podcasts as well.
Now an eleventh-hour tweet from Vox Media’s Peter Kafka reveals that Apple may indeed be preparing to launch Podcasts+ at tomorrow’s event.
What Could Be Coming: A paid podcast subscription service that would feature access to premium shows akin to what’s already found on Spotify, SiriusXM, and Amazon. No details on pricing, but it’s likely Apple will tag it around the $4.99/month range and hopefully find a way to bundle it into Apple One. A free trial will almost certainly be available.
A New Apple TV
Probability: Very Low.
The Apple TV now qualifies as Apple’s most-neglected product, last refreshed in 2017 with the Apple TV 4K. While that model still works just fine for video streaming, it’s starting to feel its age when it comes to some of Apple’s latest Arcade titles.
We’ve been hearing about a refresh to the Apple TV for over a year now, but sources disagree on whether that will simply be to bump the standard box up to a more powerful A12 chip, or whether Apple is going to release an insanely powerful gamer-focused model with an A14 or A14X chip packed inside.
Then there’s the more recent report of a more full-featured Apple TV that would include a FaceTime camera and HomePod speaker. It’s uncertain whether that’s supposed to be a replacement for the set-top box or some kind of “Apple TV Pro”, however.
The most likely explanation for all of this is that Apple is working on several possible approaches to the next-generation Apple TV, but whether any of these will ever see the light of day is another matter. In fact, in an era of smart TVs and game consoles that now have Apple TV+ and other streaming services built-in, it’s fair to say that Apple is likely trying to figure out exactly where its own set-top box is supposed to fit in.
What Could Be Coming: If Apple announces anything Apple TV-related tomorrow — and that seems like a pretty big “if” — it’s likely to be little more than a refresh to the set-top box we already know, adding a faster CPU and 120Hz screen support for make it more gamer-focused, likely intended to tide us over until a much more substantial new version is ready.
Colourful Apple Silicon iMacs
Probability: Low.
A report from popular leaker Jon Prosser back in February suggested that Apple was planning a lineup of more colourful iMacs, although Prosser suggested that these were only in the prototype stage, and many details remained unknown.
Over the weekend, however, cryptic leaker @l0vetodream tweeted a set of images placing Apple’s “Spring Loaded” event logo beside the colourful 1990s era G3 iMacs, unveiling a new round of speculation that Apple could be planning to unveil these rumoured new iMacs at tomorrow’s event.
However, it also looks like @l0vetodream walked that back in a follow-up tweet. It’s hard to figure out what this leaker means at the best of times, but with Prosser’s earlier information we’re skeptical that these new iMacs are actually ready to go quite yet, although dwindling stocks of the 21.5-inch iMac do add some more fuel to the rumours and speculation.
What Might Be Coming: If Apple does release these colourful new iMacs, they’ll almost certainly feature Apple Silicon, but likely just the M1 or a minor variation of it. These would likely be entry-level consumer Macs, positioned at the same level as last fall’s M1 MacBook Air and baseline MacBook Pro.
New Apple Silicon MacBooks
Probability: Very Low.
Ever since Apple showed us just how amazing its new M1 chip really is, many MacBook power users have been eagerly waiting for Apple to give the same Apple Silicon treatment to its higher-end MacBook Pro models, likely with an even more powerful “M1X” chip. After all, if an entry-level M1 MacBook Pro can already hold its own against an Intel Xeon Mac Pro, just imagine what the next-generation Apple Silicon could do in a 16-inch MacBook Pro.
While we don’t doubt that’s in the works, we don’t expect it to happen tomorrow. The new MacBooks are expected to be part of a bigger redesign — possibly ushering in a 14-inch MacBook Pro to replace the current 13-inch design — and we’d say they’re much more likely to make their debut at a fall event.