Today’s big Apple event is sure to bring some upgrade goodness into the lives of Apple users everywhere. But what will be announced? Sure, we’re expecting iPad and iMac upgrades, but will there be surprises? Unexpected announcements? Pony rides?
As usual, I’ll be putting my predictions down in e-ink for everyone to see. And then we can revisit this article to see if I was on the nose, called it pretty close, or if I was way the hell off. Here we go!
iPads
We already know for sure there will be an iPad Air 2 and iPad mini 3 introduced at today’s event. Apple all but confirmed that earlier this week when they posted updated screenshots of their iPad Users Guide showing pages referencing the “iPad Air 2” and “iPad mini 3”. Unless Apple has suddenly decided to screw with everyone on the interwebs, this one is a lock.
Both new iPads will feature Touch ID, while the iPad Air 2 will feature Burst Mode in the built-in camera app, and an anti-reflective screen.
The iPad Air 2 will also gain a speedier version of the A8 processor found in this year’s iPhones. And a gold color option. Don’t forget the gold color option.
I’m going to say Apple drops the 16GB option on both new iPads, and goes with a 32, 64, and 128GB storage range. I know Apple dropped the 32GB option on the iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus, but this just feels right to me. And, (pie in the sky here…), they’ll knock $100 off the current price of each tier. Don’t worry, if I’m wrong I’ll mark it as so, right here. —>
As for the much-rumored 12.9-inch “iPad Pro” making an appearance… Chances a slim, but there’s always a chance. They could give a preview of the big one, but… (See how I covered my ass there? Nice, eh?)
iMacs
iMac With Retina Display
The iMac with a Retina Display is all but certain. We just don’t know what sizes or resolution specs will be offered. General opinion claims there will just be a 27-inch Retina iMac offered at first, with a 21.5-inch model coming along in 2015.
It’s for sure Apple will need to bump up the specs on a Retina version of the iMac, just to be able to efficiently push all those extra pixels around.
The Retina Display iMac will definitely be the top of the line iMac, with premium pricing. Let’s go out on a limb and give it 16GB of RAM in the base offering. (What the hell, right?)
The 21.5-inch Retina iMac will debut sometime in 2015.
MacBooks
I’m not feeling any new MacBooks for this go round. Apple could slip a preview the much-rumored 12-inch MacBook Air in during its shindig, but I’m feeling early next year for this one. Still… (It’s called CYA folks, learn it!)
Mac mini
Sweet Jobs, I hope they slip this one in. It’s been a long time since the redheaded stepchild of the Mac lineup has gotten any update love. Come on Apple, give this little puppy a belly scratch with a nice update.
I believe they will give the Mac mini a specs bump, but they might not make an official announcement at the event.
Apple TV
Yeah, this is what I really want to see, an all new Apple TV. I’ve been an Apple TV user ever since the first hard drive based model came out in 2007. I’ve faithfully updated with each new generation, and would definitely start searching the couch for spare change as soon as Apple announced a new model.
Just like the Mac mini, it has been awhile since the Apple TV received any real update love. But again, although I’m hoping – hope against hope – for a new Apple TV, I don’t feel it. Negotiations have reportedly bogged down with content suppliers and cable companies, and Apple isn’t going to introduce a new Apple TV unless it’s a huge leap from what’s available now. So, no-go on this one. SIGH!
iPods
Nope, nope, nope. While the iPod lineup still brings in a decent amount of spare change for Apple each year, that pile of change is getting smaller with ever passing day. While the iPod lineup will stick around for a good long time, they won’t be getting much love when it comes to new models and such. Maybe a storage bump here and there, along with possible processor upgrades. Oh, and colors, lots and lots of new colors!
But not at today’s event.
OS X Yosemite
OS X Yosemite will either go live today, or sometime in the next week or so. The Golden Master versions of Yosemite have been released to developers for awhile now, and as someone who finally broke down and put Yosemite on the machine I’m using to write this post, let me assure you, it feels ready for prime time. (Your mileage may vary.)
So yes, OS X Yosemite is a go.
iOS 8.1
This is a go too. iOS 8.1 will make an appearance today, and will be either immediately available today, or sometime tomorrow. With the numerous reports of Apple Pay being ready to go either sometime this weekend, or on Monday of next week, iOS 8.1 will have to see a release very soon as Apple Pay won’t be activated on the iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus until its release.
So yes, iOS 8.1 will make the scene.
Apple Pay
By all indications, Apple Pay is ready to go. If iOS 8.1 is a go, then so is Apple Pay. Apple’s mobile payments system will be enabled on the iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus with the release of iOS 8.1.
Numerous reports indicate participating merchants are getting their employees ready for Apple Pay, with leaked documents indicating a debut of the service in stores either this weekend, or early next week.
Prepare to pay with your iPhone folks!
In Closing
WHEW! That was a lot of “predictions”! As usual, some of these are a lock, some informed guesses, and some were created using the SWAG (Scientific Wild Ass Guess) method.
Come back after Apple’s event today to see where I was correct, and more importantly, where I was wrong.
Enjoy the event folks!
