That is Rumor Replay, a brand new weekly column at 9to5Mac that gives a fast rundown of the latest Apple product rumors, with my evaluation and commentary. At the moment: Apple Tv, AirTag 2 upgrades, iPhone 17 tidbits, and a brand new Professional Show XDR.
Listed here are this week’s Apple rumors.
Apple Tv
Rumors of an Apple TV set have abounded for years, they usually’re again once more after Mark Gurman mentioned Apple is ‘evaluating’ constructing a tool as a part of its renewed house merchandise initiative.
I completely imagine Apple ought to make a TV set, and it may even name it merely Apple Tv to keep away from confusion with the Apple TV app, Apple TV 4K field, and Apple TV+ service.
However will it? I believe the reply relies upon totally on the forthcoming ‘HomePad’ I wrote about final week. If the HomePad helps flip house merchandise right into a significant enterprise for Apple, then a TV set is a pure subsequent step. But when it turns into the following HomePod or Apple TV 4K—a distinct segment system overshadowed by the remainder of Apple’s lineup—then an Apple Tv would seemingly keep buried some time longer.
AirTag 2 brings three upgrades
Apple is reportedly planning to launch its AirTag 2 in mid-2025, 4 years after the unique debuted. It’s going to include three key upgrades that, per Mark Gurman, present “higher vary, bolster the onboard wi-fi chip and enhance privateness.”
I wrote yesterday about how the privateness piece will show particularly key. Launching an AirTag successor brings to the forefront all the luggage of stalking points the corporate’s nonetheless grappling with.
That mentioned, exterior of recent privateness protections, I’m not sure how Apple could make AirTag 2 something however an iterative, nice-to-have replace. The improved vary and wi-fi chip really feel like no-brainers, and may allow higher precision discovering. However for probably the most half, regardless of years within the making, AirTag isn’t the type of product that’s meant to wow. It’s a easy utility, and any small tweaks will probably be appreciated however seemingly nothing revolutionary.
iPhone 17 tidbits
Analyst Jeff Pu has shared a number of expectations for subsequent yr’s iPhone 17 lineup. Notably, he highlights the iPhone 17 lineup having a:
- extra complicated aluminum design than the iPhone 16 line
- new fabrication course of for the A19 and A19 Professional
- narrower Dynamic Island for the 17 Professional Max
He additionally reiterates expectations for the ultra-thin 17 Air being round 6mm thick.
There are a number of unanswered questions his report raises. What does a ‘extra complicated’ aluminum design imply, for instance? Why would the smaller Dynamic Island be unique to the Professional Max moderately than coming to the 17 Professional too? Particularly when each are anticipated to have the identical TrueDepth Digital camera.
With one other 10 months till the iPhone 17 lineup launches, there’s loads of time forward for solutions and readability later.
Professional Show XDR 2
Lastly, show analyst Ross Younger experiences that the quantum dot know-how discovered within the M4 MacBook Professional is anticipated to return to the following Professional Show XDR too.
It’s been virtually two years because the final report a few new Professional Show XDR, so regardless of being gentle on particulars, Younger’s point out is noteworthy.
If ever Apple have been going to launch a successor to 2019’s Professional Show XDR, 2025 could be an incredible yr to take action. That’s as a result of a brand new M4 Mac Studio and Mac Professional are each launching the identical yr, making the right match for a brand new Apple show.
Which rumors are you most enthusiastic about? Tell us within the feedback.
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