Top Stories: Five New Macs in 2022, iPhone 14 Pro and AirPods Pro 2 Rumors, and More

[MacRumors]

It was another busy week for Apple rumors, with Mark Gurman and Ming-Chi Kuo spilling a range of details about Apple's Mac roadmap, the next AirPods Pro, Apple's AR/VR headset plans, and more.

In other news, it looks like the next round of Apple software updates will be arriving shortly with iOS 15.2, macOS 12.1, and related releases. The updates will bring several new features like the Apple Music Voice Plan, SharePlay for Mac, and more, but apparently not the much-anticipated Universal Control. Read on for details on these stories and more!

Apple Planning Five New Macs for 2022 Amid Apple Silicon Transition

Apple's transition from Intel processors to its own custom-designed chips in Macs is set to continue with the introduction of at least five new Macs in 2022, according to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman.

In the latest edition of his "Power On" newsletter, Gurman said the new Macs will include updated versions of the MacBook Air, entry-level MacBook Pro, larger iMac, Mac mini, and Mac Pro, with some of the machines expected to be powered by Apple's next-generation M2 chip.

Gurman outlined several other products that he expects to launch in 2022, including a rugged version of the Apple Watch, a redesigned iPad Pro with support for wireless charging, and an AR/VR headset with a focus on gaming, content consumption, and communications.

iPhone 14 Pro Rumored to Feature Hole-Punch Display

Apple is planning to launch iPhone 14 Pro and iPhone 14 Pro Max models with hole-punch displays next year, according to Korean website The Elec.

The hole-punch display design would allow Apple to remove the notch while still providing a cutout for the front-facing camera, and it is a design that some Android smartphones have used for a few years now, such as Samsung's Galaxy S10 and newer.

AirPods Pro 2 With New Design and Improved Chip Expected to Launch in Late 2022

Apple plans to release second-generation AirPods Pro with a new design in the fourth quarter of 2022, according to reputable analyst Ming-Chi Kuo.

The new AirPods Pro are rumored to feature a more compact, stemless design similar to the Beats Studio Buds, while additional built-in sensors might allow for new fitness tracking capabilities and more. Catch up on our AirPods Pro 2 guide for everything we know so far.

Universal Control Not Expected to Launch With macOS 12.1 and iPadOS 15.2

Apple this week seeded Release Candidate versions of multiple software updates, including macOS 12.1 and iPadOS 15.2, but the release notes do not include any mention of Universal Control.

Given that a Release Candidate typically mirrors the final release of an update, it appears that Universal Control is not launching with macOS 12.1 and iPadOS 15.2, despite Apple having said the feature would be available this fall.

The good news is that macOS 12.1 fixes several bugs related to Tap to Click, HDR video playback on YouTube, MagSafe charging, and more.

Here's a First Look at Apple Music's Voice Plan Launching With iOS 15.2

iOS 15.2 is expected to be released to all users as early as next week, and one of the update's key new features will be the Apple Music Voice Plan, which is designed to let users access Apple Music exclusively through Siri for a lower price of $4.99 per month.

Ahead of iOS 15.2 being released, we were able to provide an early first look at the Apple Music Voice Plan, courtesy of MacRumors contributor Steve Moser.

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So if you want to have top stories like the above recap delivered to your email inbox each week, subscribe to our newsletter!

Article Link: Top Stories: Five New Macs in 2022, iPhone 14 Pro and AirPods Pro 2 Rumors, and More

 

[now i see it]

My prediction:
No updated Mac Mini until after every Mac has transitioned to AS chips. So gotta wait for Mac Pro to transform before any talks about the Mini.

 

[TheYayAreaLiving 🎗️]

Next week should be exciting with the release of Mac OS and IOS update.

 

[vegetassj4]

“Universal Control is not launching with macOS 12.1 and iPadOS 15.2, despite Apple having said the feature would be available this fall.”

I wonder how many pre-orders Apple gets for promised features that take a long time to actually arrive, if at all?

 

[slplss]

Think I’d actually prefer Apple Pill™ over Hole punch. How would they fit Face ID into a single hole anyway?

 

[4jasontv]

Think I’d actually prefer Apple Pill™ over Hole punch. How would they fit Face ID into a single hole anyway?

Maybe their prototypes show the IR sensors work fine when under display, but they are unhappy with the front facing camera quality?

My question is, where is the speaker going that allows for an all glass front display?

 

[apparatchik]

“Universal Control is not launching with macOS 12.1 and iPadOS 15.2, despite Apple having said the feature would be available this fall.”

I wonder how many pre-orders Apple gets for promised features that take a long time to actually arrive, if at all?

They can always argue in court they meant on the southern hemisphere's Fall (i.e.: Spring). Also, I'm pretty sure there are already disclaimers that functionalities announced may not ship at all even.

 

[Realityck]

Given that a Release Candidate typically mirrors the final release of an update, it appears that Universal Control is not launching with macOS 12.1 and iPadOS 15.2, despite Apple having said the feature would be available this fall.

Well duh! After MacOS 12.1 goes official ~ Dec 14th, last year Apple released the first beta of another cycle Dec 17th, then it wasn't until 2nd week of January you saw the beta 2 of that. So they might start next beta including Universal Control by end of next week. Winter starts Dec 21.

 

[anthogag]

I anticipate hearing AirPods Pro 2. Will Apple make them grippy, not slippery, considering the buds will be smaller? It is a big deal, losing an earbud because it slips out of the fingers...

The new Mac mini Pro, will it be small like the Apple TV device?

Is a huge-screen iPad Pro coming?

If they make a new iPhone mini, make it 1/2 current size; a real mini iPhone

Apple Watch, rugged version, could be extremely popular…

 

[gldoorii]

I'm still waiting for a "kids mode/profile" or even a kid's iPad itself. I know that'll never happen with Apple, but it would sure make life easier as opposed to having to buy competitor products that care about kids.

 

[ghanwani]

The toppest story of the week is $AAPL hitting a new ATH. It will be the first company to hit a $3T market cap and that will happen next week.

Historical returns:

https://twitter.com/x/status/1469485387349377025

 

[Macbookprodude]

wait a second, didn't we just get iPhone13 ??? This is starting to get stupid.. new model each year ? I remember Apple used to keep the samething for a few years(MAC OS TIGER for example). This is the Apple I am starting to hate.

 

[Ozid]

wait a second, didn't we just get iPhone13 ??? This is starting to get stupid.. new model each year ? I remember Apple used to keep the samething for a few years(MAC OS TIGER for example). This is the Apple I am starting to hate.

We've been getting rumors about the next year's iphone before the current year's iphone even launches for a few years now.

The rumor that the 14 will lose the camera bump and have round volume buttons has been out longer than the iPhone 13 has. Last year the only pre-12-launch rumors that panned out were 120hz, similar design, and new 5nm processor, which were all very obvious considering 120hz was basically fully matured, the design was new, and the M1 is 5nm.

e: of the rumors we have this year, the only ones you can expect to be reliable are that there will be 6.1 & 6.7 inch models for both tiers & new chips. I wouldn't even say a new 3 or 4nm process is a lock until we see what the next gen computer chip looks like.

 

[ColdShadow]

Can’t wait to finally get rid of that ugly notch.
truly a dumb design,Face ID or not..every other manufacturer managed without it..
Face ID is dated,old and annoying too.

I hate it so much that I’m considering cancelling my 13 Pro Max order that’s how much a hole punch is superior to that large notch.

 

[ColdShadow]

wait a second, didn't we just get iPhone13 ??? This is starting to get stupid.. new model each year ? I remember Apple used to keep the samething for a few years(MAC OS TIGER for example). This is the Apple I am starting to hate.

They can’t,because they are not the only smart phone manufacturer.
They will be easily over taken by 100s of advanced ,capable android phones if they don’t bring a newer,more competitive model every year.

 

[ColdShadow]

Think I’d actually prefer Apple Pill™ over Hole punch. How would they fit Face ID into a single hole anyway?

by getting rid of the annoying thing and implementing a reliable under display touch ID that is naturally ergonomic unlike Face ID.

Or worst case scenario by putting Face ID sensors under display.
Samsung was able to put full on camera under display last year,surely Apple should be able to use that technology after 2 year for Face ID..

 

[Karnicopia]

Updated version of the entry level MacBook Pro would be pretty interesting. I’m waiting to see how the Air looks but a entry level MacBook Pro 14” with the upgraded display and speakers etc would be pretty nice. Also wouldn’t mind if they just used the 4 TB chassis since you wouldn’t need massive amounts of cooling and I actually liked the touch bar so wouldn’t be mad if they went back to that too basically take the old chassis and throw a pro in there and the new screen and make it 14” would be good for me.

 

[repoman016]

Ooo new airpod pros. maybe they will let us disable the touch feature on these ones. until then, garbage.

 

[cocoua]

Hope M pro and max reach regular M cycle soon.

Its weird to have a Pro version with M1 while a cheap version has the M2 with faster single core

 

[Facebook_Gaming]

Can’t wait to finally get rid of that ugly notch.
truly a dumb design,Face ID or not..every other manufacturer managed without it..
Face ID is dated,old and annoying too.

I hate it so much that I’m considering cancelling my 13 Pro Max order that’s how much a hole punch is superior to that large notch.

Would not say FaceId is annoying, yes it can be sometimes but it is a pretty great feature, I actually prefer it over TouchId, also would not call it old as it's still super quick to respond, as far as cancelling your iPhone order, I would probably wait until it is confirmed that Apple is actually doing the hole-punch design next year if they are great, you managed to save some money and you are able to order one and if they didn't then you would still be able to get the latest phone.

 

[satchmo]

Think I’d actually prefer Apple Pill™ over Hole punch. How would they fit Face ID into a single hole anyway?

Pill only if it's small and thin like the current size of the ear speaker. But both pill and hole punch are much better than the current notch.

 

[EdT]

“Universal Control is not launching with macOS 12.1 and iPadOS 15.2, despite Apple having said the feature would be available this fall.”

I wonder how many pre-orders Apple gets for promised features that take a long time to actually arrive, if at all?

I wish every company would not announce a delivery time for software/hardware until it was really ready but this isn’t an Apple only problem. And when companies release really flawed products because marketing promised the feature by such and such date, it doesn’t help the reputation for the product or the company that the product/software was released on time.