6 Futuristic Apple Products We Can’t Wait For
Credit: Joyce Kang / C.O Design Lab / Yanko Design
While Apple has caught criticism lately for stalling in the product innovation category, the truth is that Apple actually has a lot of new and exciting products in the pipeline (they just aren't quite ready yet). Some of these projects are bonkers, like an Apple-branded smart car and augmented reality Apple glasses – and yes both of those exist! Others are exciting additions that people have been waiting for, like a new display for Mac and over-ear headphones. Let's check out all of Apple's plans. Continue reading to learn about 6 Futuristic Apple Products We Can’t Wait For.
Apple Glasses
For the past few years, rumors have grown that Apple is planning to release some kind of virtual reality "Apple Glasses." Reports have shown that the company is developing a kit for software, and Apple has been buying up "augmented reality" companies like Akonia Holographics.
Augmented reality is all about placed images over real environments, so comparisons to Google's Glass project are unavoidable. Google Glass died a quiet death after a few years of commercial experimentation – Apple will have to differentiate its own product, make it useful for the average consumer, and find a price point that everyone can live with. That's a tough order.
The latest rumors say that Apple will be releasing
the augmented reality glasses in 2020. Expect to learn a lot more then.
A Foldable iPhone
Foldable phones are making a lot of headlines these days, especially since the Samsung Galaxy Fold and Huawei Mate X are real phones that will soon be available (and cost more than a thousand dollars). The market for foldable phones is still very uncertain, and the idea of expanding or contracting a phone screen still needs to be tested in the consumer market. But Apple does appear to be looking at foldable phone designs for the upcoming years. One option is a "wrap-around" display that could be unfolded into a larger screen. Apple is in no hurry to compete in this market, so expect to wait for a few years before we get any definitive information on this exciting project.
Apple Display
Apple discontinued its Thunderbolt Display a few years ago, but reports say that it's ready to release an updated display that will work well with the Mac Pro and similar Apple computers. Expect this one to be a beast of a monitor with a 6K resolution, plenty of USB-C/Thunderbolt ports, and easy compatibility with the entire Apple ecosystem when it comes to sharing content and getting things done. Basically, if you're a designer, video editor, or other professional who uses Apple and needs a top-notch screen for their work, this is something to be excited about.
The Apple Car
No, the Apple Car isn't just a fantasy; it's a series of projects that Apple is working on all related to auto technology under Project Titan, and that includes sunroofs, intelligent seats, and more – indicating that Apple really is working on an actual car. It's likely to be autonomous, since Apple is also investing in self-driving technology, although the degree of its autonomy is up in the air (self-driving cars are still a work in progress, as recent accidents have shown). There are even patents that indicate the Apple Car will use augmented reality in the car to make driving more informative or entertaining.
Advanced Over-Ear Headphones
Apple's AirPods have been a big success, and it's likely that Apple is going capitalize on that market quickly. Ming-Cho Kuo and other analysts have been reporting that Apple is looking to launch a pair of high-quality over-ear headphones in the same vein as the AirPods. These headphones would probably be more focused on sound quality – something that the AirPods have been known to struggle with. Of course, this raises the question "What will happen to the Beats line?" Will Apple back away from Beats in favor of the strong AirPods brand? Look for an answer this year.
AirPower
AirPower is a weird beast. It's a smart charging pad that Apple was apparently planning to make a sort of hub for managing and monitoring Apple mobile devices. When Apple announced the device in 2017, everyone was excited for a wireless charging pad straight from the brand. However, AirPower then vanished, and Apple never mentioned the product again. It's possible that assumed costs or a market analysis doomed the project. However, rumors once again say that the AirPower is heading toward mass production for 2019.