The MacRumors Show: Ian Zelbo Talks iPhone 14 Pro and Apple Watch Series 8 Design Rumors

[MacRumors]

Apple concept graphic designer Ian Zelbo joins us on The MacRumors Show podcast this week to discuss what to expect from the design of the iPhone 14 Pro, Apple Watch Series 8, and Apple's long-rumored mixed-reality headset.

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Ian works closely with leaker Jon Prosser and is behind many of the detailed, photo-realistic Apple renders that have captivated the rumor community in recent years. He is responsible for using leaked information to create accurate renders of the sixth-generation iPad mini, the Mac Studio and Apple Studio Display, green iPhone 13, purple fifth-generation iPad Air, and much more ahead of Apple's official announcements.

In this episode, we take a look at the creative process behind Ian's renders before taking a deeper dive into the design of the iPhone 14 Pro, Apple Watch Series 8, and Apple's long-rumored mixed-reality headset – three upcoming devices that Ian has painstakingly depicted. See some of Ian's renders below:

Sixth-generation iPad mini render based on leaked information, published over three months before the device's launch.​

Green iPhone 13 and Purple fifth-generation iPad Air renders, shared the day before they were officially announced.​

Mac Studio and Apple Studio Display renders, shared the day before the "Peek Performance" Apple event where they were unveiled.​

iPhone 14 Pro renders based on a wide range of leaked information.​

Redesigned Apple Watch Series 8 render based on rumors.​

Render of Apple's rumored mixed-reality headset based on details outlined in a credible report from The Information.​

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Article Link: The MacRumors Show: Ian Zelbo Talks iPhone 14 Pro and Apple Watch Series 8 Design Rumors

 

[topdrawer]

wow, a whole hour.

 

[jav6454]

While I appreciate the podcast, this is a reason why people are no longer "wow'd" in a keynote. The excavation of so many details, renderings and the like that when when the actual device is released we are bored with it due to the several continuous stories about said design.

All sites trying to recreate Gizmodo's debacle.

 

[djchippi]

Why do so many people care about the “notch” (didn’t care about it then) or the potential “pill” shape (don’t care about it now). It impacts me in no way. Once it is gone you guys will complain about something else. Enough about this issue. It’s meaningless. Next you’ll complain why the screen doesn’t go beyond the screen. But I guess you guys need a podcast or social media account to complain

I can watch a movie. I can email. I can do anything and my eyes don’t even see it.

I’m a seed beta tester and the software that runs on these devices is 1000% more important.

 

[iBreatheApple]

Why do so many people care about the “notch” (didn’t care about it then) or the potential “pill” shape (don’t care about it now). It impacts me in no way. Once it is gone you guys will complain about something else. Enough about this issue. It’s meaningless. Next you’ll complain why the screen doesn’t go beyond the screen. But I guess you guys need a podcast or social media account to complain

I can watch a movie. I can email. I can do anything and my eyes don’t even see it.

I’m a seed beta tester and the software that runs on these devices is 1000% more important.

The vast majority of those who complain about the notch have never owned an iPhone that had one. The few left over are a small minority group. I stopped noticing it in about 12 hours and haven’t ever thought about it again. It has never been in the way, and I am unaware of its presence while view full/maximized video. Do I PREFER it? No. But I don’t care about it in the least. Nor do most.

 

[snak-atak]

There are two real life solutions that I think the mixed-reality goggles could address.
Hearing impairment
Mild/early stage dementia

The goggles could provide a mechanism to read lips or enhance sound in real-time and display it to the user in the form of closed caption or Siri audio.

It could also scan your library to identify people in the room with you and give clues to who they are. You could even associate reminders and to-dos to those individuals to make for more personal interactions over time. This could help with people whose memory is not as swift as it used to be. It could even guide you back home or other desired location when needed.

In order for it to be successful, though, it would have to be much smaller and lighter. No one will use those goggles as is unless as they mentioned in the video it’s sold more as a developer kit vs a finished product.

VR emojis and games are not what this product is meant for.

 

[emmab2006]

Prosser speaks, people open their eyes and mouths for his lies…….

 

[PhoenixDown]

I am not sure if I like the mock up render for the Apple Watch 8. I would really love to see the Apple Watch 8 have glucose monitoring. Would be really interested in a feature like that.

 

[IllinoisCorn]

The faces in the thumbnail look strange--is that smoothing from webcams?

 

[IllinoisCorn]

There are two real life solutions that I think the mixed-reality goggles could address.
Hearing impairment
Mild/early stage dementia

The goggles could provide a mechanism to read lips or enhance sound in real-time and display it to the user in the form of closed caption or Siri audio.

It could also scan your library to identify people in the room with you and give clues to who they are. You could even associate reminders and to-dos to those individuals to make for more personal interactions over time. This could help with people whose memory is not as swift as it used to be. It could even guide you back home or other desired location when needed.

In order for it to be successful, though, it would have to be much smaller and lighter. No one will use those goggles as is unless as they mentioned in the video it’s sold more as a developer kit vs a finished product.

VR emojis and games are not what this product is meant for.

Dementia is a lot more complicated than forgetting to do something or someone's name. A lot more.

 

[Kuckuckstein]

While I appreciate the podcast, this is a reason why people are no longer "wow'd" in a keynote. The excavation of so many details, renderings and the like that when when the actual device is released we are bored with it due to the several continuous stories about said design.

All sites trying to recreate Gizmodo's debacle.

But in addition, there really have been only a few drastic new designs in Apple’s recent past.

The iPod models had changed so much over the time of their active development.

MacBooks, Mac Pro and the iMac underwent a journey from plastic to aluminum. But then all got stale.

But yes the few tiny changes we see these days are revealed and ruined by leaks.

 

[jav6454]

But in addition, there really have been only a few drastic new designs in Apple’s recent past.

The iPod models had changed so much over the time of their active development.

MacBooks, Mac Pro and the iMac underwent a journey from plastic to aluminum. But then all got stale.

But yes the few tiny changes we see these days are revealed and ruined by leaks.

Well, Apple is stuck to a specific design o the iPhone now. Due to wireless charging all future iPhones will be glass sandwiches. Overall, you can only do so much.

 

[44267547]

I am not sure if I like the mock up render for the Apple Watch 8. I would really love to see the Apple Watch 8 have glucose monitoring. Would be really interested in a feature like that.

I actually welcome more of the flat design based off the render for the new Apple Watch, if it actually does happen. I mean, it’s not like it’s drastically different, but based off that photo, it almost gives it like a thinner profile appeal. I would welcome any physical changes for the Apple Watch, given we’ve seen the same design year after year for the most part.

 

[erikkfi]

I blame these renders for taking the last gasp of wonder and curiosity out of Apple events. But that's what a rumor site is for, so I get that this is a weird criticism.

 

[snak-atak]

Dementia is a lot more complicated than forgetting to do something or someone's name. A lot more.

I totally agree, but this could be a good starting point. I think they would find a huge market for these features and I believe technology is at a point where it can be done.

 

[_Spinn_]

Much of the time these renders look cooler that what we actually get.

 

[BanjoDudeAhoy]

Much of the time these renders look cooler that what we actually get.

I agree.

 

[Villarrealadrian]

I agree.

That render looks cool!

 

[Heat_Fan89]

The vast majority of those who complain about the notch have never owned an iPhone that had one. The few left over are a small minority group. I stopped noticing it in about 12 hours and haven’t ever thought about it again. It has never been in the way, and I am unaware of its presence while view full/maximized video. Do I PREFER it? No. But I don’t care about it in the least. Nor do most.

And there’s a group who’ve never owned an Android phone that thought the hole punch was a stupid idea.

 

[Funny Apple Man]

I agree.

I'm hoping that kind of design comes to the rumored comeback of the 12-inch Macbook instead.

 

[nastysailboat]

Pill + hole punch = pill-punch

 

[calstanford]

Ian is such a likeable guy

 

[PhoenixDown]

... based off that photo, it almost gives it like a thinner profile appeal.

That is something I would love, a thinner watch!

 

[SFjohn]

The renders for the flat faced Apple Watch & scuba/ski mask for Apple’s unannounced AR/VR headset look terrible to my eye. The flat face on the watch looks cheap and emphasizes it’s thickness, and the goggles look unlike anything Apple would ever release. As far as the MacBook Air renders go, I love that Apple introduced the Midnight color to it, for me personally that trumps pastels any day. 😉

 

[AF_APPLETALK]

While I appreciate the podcast, this is a reason why people are no longer "wow'd" in a keynote. The excavation of so many details, renderings and the like that when when the actual device is released we are bored with it due to the several continuous stories about said design.

All sites trying to recreate Gizmodo's debacle.

I miss those Gizmodo days. The world felt so much more flashy back then.