Chinese Report Says $150-$200 HomePod and $799-$899 MacBook Air to Launch This Year

[prasand]

Actually, the Mac mini's main target market was Developers that wanted to get into iOS and Mac Development; but didn't want to shell-out for a more expensive systems.

I'm trying to understand your "actually" because your statement doesn't actually negate anything that I said. I'm also trying to understand how you confidently claim Apple's target market when even the best analysts often did not know what the target market was (Google: Mac Mini target market). But, a quick Wikipedia trip would confirm that the Mac Mini was geared towards Windows PC switchers (which was my point).

However, it's still possible that most of those switchers were developers (which is your point), and that is the very reason why what you said does not actually negate what I said, if anything it just clarifies / specifies where I didn't. -- I can see the developer point being true, but I wouldn't assert it as truth. I think Developers were just more prone to buy it because of their interest in iOS development, but that is not an indication of us being the target market. To me, it makes more sense that the target market is more generally Windows PC switchers, and that Developers just happened to be more motivated to buy one.

--- edit ---

Furthermore, I think that in this climate a Mac Mini refresh would attract more general consumers / iPhone customers than developers. So I think the whole developer attraction was circumstance.

 

[tipoo]

I would guess the 259 iPad is the 2017 iPad with A10 plopped in, and that's that for it. If they could bring back the antireflective coating that would be a real boost to it, though I don't expect a laminated screen again for the cost.

Extra bonus throw wallet at screen feature would be moving one speaker to the top for stereo in fullscreen video, even if not the quad speakers of the Pro.

The cheaper Macbook Air makes most sense to me if the base 13" rMBP drops the Pro, Thunderbolt (just USB C), and moves to a 1920x1200 display or something, and just becomes the Macbook 13, while the retina macbook 12 takes over the Airs old price slot.

 

[EightyTwenty]

HomePod Mini and a Retina MacBook Air would be awesome. Really don't think we'll get to see a Retina MacBook Air though

Forget retina, just give us a damn IPS display at the same resolution and I'd be happy. The current display in the Air is a washed-out disaster.

 

[michaelsviews]

MBA that low in price, wonder what screen type it's going to have?

 

[JPack]

MBA that low in price, wonder what screen type it's going to have?

Probably the same screen as before.

People expecting other major changes (especially those thinking about ARM processors) are just out to lunch.

 

[redmac]

You should have a look at this instead of posting incorrect information, as usual.

https://decentralize.today/apple-vs...company-handles-your-data-better-a7022bd452b1

Seems like you should be more aware of where you "think" your "privacy" is kept "safe".

That link that you shared is from mid 2016. A lot has changed in Apple’s privacy policy since then. I also have to point out that there are some serious errors in the claims, especially on what Apple used to share.

 

[EugW]

I think too many people are grasping onto the $799 number for the MacBook Air, as gospel. I could be wrong, but $899 seems much, much more likely than $799, even if they offer no updates at all. That would be a 10% discount, which is getting close to refurb level discounts.

 

[JPack]

I think too many people are grasping onto the $799 number for the MacBook Air, as gospel. I could be wrong, but $899 seems much, much more likely than $799, even if they offer no updates at all. That would be a 10% discount, which is getting close to refurb level discounts.

If iPad is $259, that's a 20% cut.

Look at other ultrabooks in the market. With $799, the consumer can buy an i7 ultrabook that weighs less than MacBook Air. $799 isn't some stretch goal, it's where the rest of the market is.

 

[EugW]

If iPad is $259, that's a 20% cut.

Look at other ultrabooks in the market. With $799, the consumer can buy an i7 ultrabook that weighs less than MacBook Air. $799 isn't some stretch goal, it's where the rest of the market is.

Doesn't matter if the rest of the market is there, given that they've been there for quite some time, while the MacBook Air has been at $999. Plus the MacBook Air is likely gonna get discontinued in a year or so.

As for the iPad, I don't believe the $259 price tag, unless they revive the mini or something, or it's a wholesale price.

 

[JPack]

Doesn't matter if the rest of the market is there, given that they've been there for quite some time, while the MacBook Air has been at $999. Plus the MacBook Air is likely gonna get discontinued in a year or so.

As for the iPad, I don't believe the $259 price tag, unless they revive the mini or something, or it's a wholesale price.

It certainly matters. The MacBook Air has been at $999 and it hasn't been selling. If it were selling, Apple wouldn't need to cut the price.

 

[EugW]

It certainly matters. The MacBook Air has been at $999 and it hasn't been selling. If it were selling, Apple wouldn't need to cut the price.

It's been selling, and a $100 price cut would do a lot make it sell even better. But then it's gonna get discontinued probably next year and Apple will bring down the price a bit on the other models.

The key is not to price it too low because they you may get a shift too much from the other more expensive models.

Now if they do release a model that's actually around $799, it will likely be a cut down model of what we have now, perhaps aimed directly at the edu market. They're likely not going to drop the price 20% with the same specs.

 

[doublesupercool]

TIL that around $700 is a "mid range" phone these days...

 

[dilbert99]

6.1-inch iPhone for $649 to $749: This lines up with a prediction from KGI Securities analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, who expects Apple to launch a mid-range 6.1-inch iPhone with Face ID, but with some design compromises like an LCD rather than OLED display to achieve the lower price point.

Other makers can make a 6.2" OLED phone for $719 (S9)

 

[Machead2012]

I would WELCOME a realistically priced smaller/lighter HP w a proper functioning Siri rather than the current overpriced Bowling Ball w a dysfunctional Siri. Bring it on!

 

[Patriks7]

Here’s to hoping that they add an iPad Mini to these new and more affordable devices.

 

[recoil80]

And remove the only advantage the HomePod has, the audio?

Nobody wants it for Siri, not unless Siri is magically improved this year.

True, Siri is lagging behind competition and HomePod is pitched for being a speaker more than a smart assistant.
But smaller HomePod doesn't necessarily mean bad quality.
A couple of HomePod mini would cost a little more than a single HomePod, and should fill a big room better. And for the average customer the difference between HomePod and its mini version could be not enough to justify the price increase.
People sometime listen to music from their laptops or using the smartphone's loudspeaker, even a mini version of HomePod would sound way better than that.

 

[rhett7660]

$150?

Nice! My 7.1 setup will only cost $1200 now...

That's it? Hell that is just the price of one my mains!

 

[tewster2]

Apple will launch lower-priced versions of four products this year, including an iPad, iPhone, MacBook Air, and HomePod, according to a translated report from Taiwan's Economic Daily News via Japanese blog Mac Otakara.

We've already heard rumors about more affordable iPad, iPhone, and MacBook Air models, but this is the first word of a supposedly lower-priced HomePod being on Apple's roadmap. The speaker is forecast to launch in the second half of 2018 for between $150 and $200 in the United States.

At $349, the current HomePod is considerably more expensive than the Amazon Echo and Google Home for $99 and $129 or less respectively. But the HomePod also has significantly better sound quality than its smart assistant rivals, in line with Apple positioning it as a high-quality speaker first and foremost.

A lower-priced HomePod would certainly be more competitive with the Echo and Google Home, but it's unclear if that would come at the expense of audio quality. One possibility is that Apple will release a smaller HomePod mini that still delivers premium sound relative to other portable speakers in that category.

Here's the full breakdown of the Economic Daily News report, based on what we could gather from a translated version:
9.7-inch iPad for $259: This lines up with a DigiTimes supply chain report from last December that said Apple is considering releasing a cheaper 9.7-inch iPad for $259 in the second quarter of 2018. The current 9.7-inch iPad was released in March 2017 for $349.
6.1-inch iPhone for $649 to $749: This lines up with a prediction from KGI Securities analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, who expects Apple to launch a mid-range 6.1-inch iPhone with Face ID, but with some design compromises like an LCD rather than OLED display to achieve the lower price point.
MacBook Air for $799 to $899: This lines up with another prediction from Kuo, who said Apple will launch a more affordable MacBook Air in the second quarter of 2018. The estimated price range comes from WitsView researcher Yubin Qiu. The current MacBook Air starts at $999.
HomePod for $150 to $200: Today's report cites industry sources who expect a more affordable HomePod to launch in the second half of 2018. It's hard to decipher details from the loosely translated report, but Mac Otakara's coverage seems to suggest it will be a smaller speaker.It's worth noting that these prices are estimates, as it's hard to envision Apple sharing pricing information with its supply chain partners.

Of the four products, the new iPad and MacBook Air are most likely to debut first. Apple is rumored to unveil new devices later this month, but it's unclear if the announcements will be made via press release or at a media event. If there is a keynote planned, invites would certainly have to go out soon.

The new 6.1-inch iPhone should debut in September alongside a new iPhone X and so-called iPhone X Plus, and the lower-priced HomePod could certainly be introduced at the same event. The current HomePod launched in early February.

Article Link: Chinese Report Says $150-$200 HomePod and $799-$899 MacBook Air to Launch This Year

Please please please give me an 11 inch one for traveling, thanks.

 

[bodonnell202]

I'm ready to buy a MacBook Air with improved screen.

Just my guess but a better screen at a cheaper price probably isn't in the cards, but maybe if this is the first MacBook with an ARM processor (some variant of the A11, such as an A11x which would also show up in iPad Pros down the line) then maybe they can put in at least a 1080p screen at that price point.

 

[rtomyj]

So that makes them better or worse than Apple? Because Apple doesn't let its users choose what information is shared/sold/mined, yet cost more money than what manufacturers charge for Android products. Check out the link I shared earlier, or better yet, I'll post it again.
https://decentralize.today/apple-vs...company-handles-your-data-better-a7022bd452b1

We will share personal information with companies, organizations or individuals outside of Google when we have your consent to do so. We require opt-in consent for the sharing of any sensitive personal information.

Opt in that they've been caught ignoring (look up previous post). Listen, who would you refer use your data: Apple who makes money on hardware or Google who is an ad company?

 

[Regime2008]

We will share personal information with companies, organizations or individuals outside of Google when we have your consent to do so. We require opt-in consent for the sharing of any sensitive personal information.

Opt in that they've been caught ignoring (look up previous post). Listen, who would you refer use your data: Apple who makes money on hardware or Google who is an ad company?

Must rather go with Google. Apple's hardware choices and design is lackluster at best in my opinion. I don't like how they are so secretive on what policies and choices they make for their customer base. I would much rather have options and choices, than be stuck with a very small selection of devices. If I volunteer my data over to Apple, how will that benefit me, as a customer? Siri is the definition of a Dumb-Assistant.

Gmail > Apple Mail
Google search engine > ...?
Youtube > ...?
Google Drive > iCloud by a long shot
Google Play Music > Apple Music
Google Assistant >>>>>> Siri
Google Maps > Apple maps

I can go on and on, but I'm sure you get my point. Google's customers benefit with better software, which extend not only to phones, but computers, smart speakers, etc. I would have to spend much more money to be in Apple's camp, yet be limited in functionality. Not to mention all of the numerous bugs in iOS and battery issues. Funny how you rarely/never hear anything about sending characters that freeze up an Android phone, or signing in and getting root access to someones computer without having to use a password.
TLDR = Google, hands down.

 

[Mlambert890b]

You really think any smart device costs $25? Google isn’t selling hardware at a loss. You’re giving them your data with which they make money off of you and you’re paying $25 for the privilege. I’ll happily pay full price for an Apple device and keep my privacy any day.

Hey, whatever helps someone sleep at night is fine, but Apple collects every bit as much data as any other tech company. The fact that they haven’t yet figured out how to monetize it as well seems like a *really* thin veil of “assurance” to me.

Personally I couldn’t care less if Amazon or Google are aware of my patterns and then obfuscate them into a category which they use to tailor the ads and content I see, but anyone who *is* that worried really shouldn’t be thinking they’re getting some special deal from Apple in perpetuity simply because they pay massive hardware premiums

There are tons of articles on this from legit tech analysts who look with a cynical eye (unlike the usual fawning echo chamber)

 

[sidewinder3000]

Why “magically”? Apple has been clearly investing in AI as seen in their acquisitions, published papers and strategies that will increasingly rely on Siri. The fact that the existing Siri has only received token improvements is an indication that they’re separately working on an all new Siri 2.0 rather than improvements to the existing assistant.

AirPods and HomePod that use Siri as the main UI are a hint at where Apple is heading and Siri is critical. When 2.0 is launched, these devices will reach their potential. It’s been 2 years since some key acquisitions. My guess is for a Siri themed event this year or at least a major focus at WWDC.

Dude, you say that with such confidence! Makes sense that they are concentrating their efforts on a big leap to what’s next, rather than wasting resources on the past. That’s often how they operate. God I hope you’re right. Apple users need this.

 

[spazzcat]

Dude, you say that with such confidence! Makes sense that they are concentrating their efforts on a big leap to what’s next, rather than wasting resources on the past. That’s often how they operate. God I hope you’re right. Apple users need this.

They also have reduce some the walls they placed around data they get from Siri, Google and Amazon have been analyzing every piece of data they get to tweet their AI, Apple wasn't do this, but has started too.

 

[Baymowe335]

And remove the only advantage the HomePod has, the audio?

Nobody wants it for Siri, not unless Siri is magically improved this year.

But people do want it for sound and Siri is just fine for playing music and normal questions. People are too caught up in trying to trick Siri or criticizing because it doesn't answer some fabricated question no one would ever ask in real life.