During Apple’s Q2 2013 earnings conference call, Apple CEO Tim Cook revealed to investors that Apple has “got some really great stuff coming in the fall and across 2014.” He even noted that Apple is potentially working on some new and exciting product categories for the near future.
From Tim Cook’s comments during the call, and from the Q&A session:
Work we do to produce truly innovative products is very hard. Challenges that we’ll face in the future, but we’re working very closely with our manufacturing partners and we are executing a very exciting roadmap. […]
Our teams are hard at work at some amazing new hardware, software, and services that we can’t wait to introduce this fall and throughout 2014. Apple has many distinct and unique advantages as the only company in the industry with skills in hardware and software services.
Q: Did you mention new product categories in the introduction?
A: One of our areas for growth are potential new categories.Q: Would that be in the next year?
A: We didn’t announce a specific time frame.
The possibilities are practically limitless. Apple is expected to release an updated 5th-gen iPad with a thinner iPad-mini like design, a 2nd-gen iPad mini, likely with a Retina display, a new “iPhone 5S“, and a new Mac Pro (or similar Pro-level) Mac product later this year. iOS 7 and OS X 10.9 are also in the works, as well as a new streaming music/internet radio service we’ve been hearing more about recently.
As far as “new product categories,” the first rumors that jump to mind are the long-fabled Apple television set, and a smart wristwatch that many are referring to as the “iWatch.”
The trade-off from all of these potential new products, however, as Cook himself noted, is that 2013 will be rather quiet until later in the year – likely starting with a Fall launch for new iPhone hardware. While Cook didn’t offer specifics, he certainly did raise our excitement to new levels! It will be fascinating to see what Apple comes out with!
