Oh, we devoted Apple customers certain do love Apple occasions, don’t we? And after a torturous 92 days after the final Apple occasion (WWDC 2022), we lastly acquired one other one, the “Far Out” occasion on Wednesday the place the iPhone 14, Apple Watch Sequence 8, Apple Watch Extremely, and second-generation AirPods Professional all made their debuts.
However Apple usually has two occasions in the course of the second half of the yr. Assuming there’s a second occasion–and it appears virtually sure that there will probably be this yr–it’s often Mac-focused and occurs in October or early November. Previously, this occasion highlights updates to Mac fashions which can be highly regarded with vacation buyers.
I’m at all times all for Apple releases, and I look ahead to the iPhone occasion identical to anybody else. However this yr, the iPhone occasion was sort of a yawner in comparison with what might occur within the Mac occasion later this fall. Nevertheless, the probabilities for this season’s Mac releases are extra intriguing than typical, which makes this second occasion rather more alluring than the Far Out occasion.
The iPhone 14 Professional’s Dynamic Island appears pedestrian, however it springs to dwell.
Jason Snell/Foundry
iPhone 14 Professional and Apple Watch Extremely: Large deal
Apple’s theme this fall is greater is best. The massive information (pun meant) concerning the iPhone lineup that acquired folks speaking is the brand new, bigger non-Professional cellphone, the discontinuation of the mini mannequin, and the shortage of a cellphone with a display screen below 6.1 inches on this yr’s lineup. Then there’s additionally the brand new rugged Apple Watch mannequin and its XXL design. Whereas an even bigger case permits for extra freedom to implement options—and there are a variety of them—it’s manner an excessive amount of look ahead to most individuals.
The revamped notch on the entrance of the Professional is actually extra progressive than we thought with the brand new Dynamic Island function, however whereas we’re wanting ahead to attempting it out, it’s a software program function. The {hardware} enhancements are hardly revolutionary: The always-on show will probably be good, however extraordinarily overdue. The largest leaps ahead in {hardware}–the 48MP rear digital camera and A16 processor–are possible greater on paper than in apply. And the brand new Deep Purple colour is okay however nowhere close to as cool as 2019’s Midnight Inexperienced.
Don’t get me fallacious: Apple’s Far Out merchandise are positively good. The Apple Watch Extremely takes the wearable in a very new path, and the iPhone 14 Professional has lastly separated itself from the lower-end fashions. That is likely to be adequate for many years. However this yr Apple has one thing higher on the horizon.
The innovation showcase is on the Mac
That second fall Apple occasion is shaping as much as be a doozy, as a result of we may very well be in for some earth-shaking Mac bulletins. And if Apple continues the larger is best theme, there may very well be some big merchandise on the best way.
The primary is the intro of the brand new Mac Professional. It’s one among two Macs left in Apple’s lineup that also makes use of Intel processors, and Apple teased it in the course of the “Peek Efficiency” occasion again in March. This will probably be an opportunity to see what Apple can do when it’s tasked with constructing a pc made for essentially the most demanding person. What sort of processing muscle will it flex? How inventive will the case design be? What surprises are in retailer? Positive, the Mac Professional is a pc most of us can’t afford, however it’s a pc everybody–Mac and PC customers alike–has been anticipating for over two years now.
The substitute for the 2019 Mac Professional will probably be the Mac announcement of the yr.
Foundry
The Mac Professional alone makes this second occasion extra interesting than “Far Out,” however that’s not all Apple has in retailer. There’s additionally the substitute of the present $1,099 Intel-based Mac mini. Rumor says that this new Mac mini might function a brand new design, in addition to a brand new M2 Professional chip. Apple might additionally improve the present M1 Mac mini to the M2, a chip that made its debut within the MacBook Air and 13-inch MacBook Professional this previous spring. Rumors have additionally floated round that we might see small upgrades to the 14- and 16-inch MacBook Professional, so Apple has lots on faucet.
When Apple began the M-series transition, it gave new life to the Mac. This occasion will full the rollout and it’ll present a roadmap for what to anticipate sooner or later. That’s thrilling, particularly once you examine that to the already-mature iPhone lineup. With the Mac, the chips good points are greater, the improvements are stronger, and the long run is brighter.
