Top Stories: March 8 Apple Event, New iMac Pro Rumors, Universal Control vs. Sidecar, and More

[MacRumors]

Things are definitely starting to heat up as we head toward Apple's first media event of 2022, and it looks like we may now have a date! We should be getting a few product introductions at the event, but there's lots more coming later in the year.

Also this week, we took a closer look at the new Universal Control feature that's in beta right now, comparing it to the existing Sidecar feature that lets you extend your Mac's desktop to a nearby iPad. Make sure to read on below for details on these stories and more from the past week!

New Low-Cost iPhone SE 5G and iPad Air Coming at Virtual Event Scheduled for March 8

Apple is planning to unveil an updated version of the iPhone SE with 5G and a new iPad Air at an event that's set to take place in March, reports Bloomberg's Mark Gurman. Apple is said to be targeting Tuesday, March 8 for the iPhone SE event.

At least one new Mac with Apple-designed chips could be introduced at the event, and prior rumors have suggested that this might be the Mac mini. iOS 15.4 may also be tied to the March event and the new devices, so we can expect to see the update launch in the first half of March.

Mini-LED iMac Pro to Launch in Mid-2022, Not Expected at Spring Event

Apple is widely rumored to be working on a replacement for the 27-inch iMac that is powered by the M1 Pro and M1 Max chips, and it is possible that it will have iMac Pro branding.

Display industry consultant Ross Young this week said that he no longer expects Apple to release the iMac Pro in the spring and that he now believes an August or September launch is more likely. The current Intel-based 27-inch iMac was released in August 2020.

The new iMac Pro is expected to feature a similar design as the 24-inch iMac, a ProMotion display, and more. Check out our guide covering everything we know about the new iMac Pro for more details.

Universal Control vs. Sidecar: What's the Difference?

Macs and iPads include support for two separate features called Sidecar and Universal Control that allow the devices to be used together, but in different ways, as we demonstrated in a recent video.

Make sure to check out our guide covering the differences between Universal Control and Sidecar to learn more. Universal Control is still in beta testing and will be available as part of macOS Monterey 12.3 and iPadOS 15.4.

'The MacRumors Show' Podcast: Jon Prosser Talks iPhone 14 Leaks and More

On the latest episode of The MacRumors Show podcast, well-known leaker Jon Prosser joined our hosts Dan Barbera, Hartley Charlton, and Sami Fathi to discuss iPhone 14 leaks, the infamous flat-edged Apple Watch Series 7 rumor, and more.

Listen to The MacRumors Show via Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Overcast, Pocket Casts, Castro, Google Podcasts, or subscribe by copying our RSS feed directly into your podcast player. We also have a video edition available on YouTube.

Redesigned iMac Pro, New AirPods Pro, and More Expected to Launch This Year

In addition to a redesigned iMac Pro, Apple is also planning to launch new AirPods Pro and several other products this year, as Bloomberg's Mark Gurman outlined in his latest newsletter.

The second-generation AirPods Pro are rumored to have several new features and will launch in the fourth quarter of 2022, which runs from October through December, according to oft-accurate analyst Ming-Chi Kuo.

Three New iOS Features Expected for iPhones Later This Year

Apple finally enabled Universal Control in the macOS 12.3 and iPadOS 15.4 betas seeded last week, but there are still at least three other features expected to be added to future iOS versions later this year, including support for driver's licenses in the Wallet app.

We have put together a list of three new features that are planned for future iOS versions, along with a few features that are set to be expanded later this year.

MacRumors Newsletter

Each week, we publish an email newsletter like this highlighting the top Apple stories, making it a great way to get a bite-sized recap of the week hitting all of the major topics we've covered and tying together related stories for a big-picture view.

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: March 8 Apple Event, New iMac Pro Rumors, Universal Control vs. Sidecar, and More

 

[Lioness~]

NO, the iMac Pro is coming now…
I want it so much! ????

edit:
If a MacMini Pro/Max comes I go with that. If both iMac Pro and higher end MacMini comes, I might go with the Mini, and save some money and buy 2 LG displays myself.
I just keep forgetting about the last option ?

 

[asdfjkl;]

Really hoping it's going to be the mac mini. A mid-range desktop sans monitor has been missing from their lineup forever. Finally, a mac mini with some real power!

 

[Plett]

Podcast feedback. I love it, and the content is great! The negative is that it is unlistenable due to the issues with levels, and one of the mic really booms and the others are brighter. Anyway, my advice run the final mix through Auphonic or something similar to level it out. Have to have my hand on the volume to get through an episode.

 

[TimB21]

Come on Apple, I have M1 iMac Pro money that's dying to be spent!

 

[Cosmosent]

Based-upon the number of comments each Article got this past week, it's fairly clear Sideloading, & App Store changes in general, should be listed @ OR near the top !

In fact, I think macrumors should create a new section to its website that focuses on App Store changes, as that new section would generate the most interest.

Apple's rumored products & services don't generate much interest anymore, & probably for obvious reasons.

Also, just my two-cents, time for Apple's Board to step up it's efforts to move on from Tim Cook, for obvious reasons !

 

[segundo]

I'm ready for a new HomePod.

I admit it Apple. I was wrong. You were right.

I really do want a HomePod based Atmos sound solution that wirelessly works from my Apple TV 4k

 

[DeepIn2U]

3 articles back to back on the same things is a bit much.

 

[StupidOpinion]

Based-upon the number of comments each Article got this past week, it's fairly clear Sideloading, & App Store changes in general, should be listed @ OR near the top !

In fact, I think macrumors should create a new section to its website that focuses on App Store changes, as that new section would generate the most interest.

Apple's rumored products & services don't generate much interest anymore, & probably for obvious reasons.

Also, just my two-cents, time for Apple's Board to step up it's efforts to move on from Tim Cook, for obvious reasons !

have you read those threads? it's mostly the same people using the same arguments going around in a circle.

 

[Realityck]

Things are definitely starting to heat up as we head toward Apple's first media event of 2022, and it looks like we may now have a date! We should be getting a few product introductions at the event, but there's lots more coming later in the year.

This event is earlier then last year and likely not associated with a later April event where some Mac product is announced along with new displays. Both the iPad Air 4th gen and iPhone SE 2nd gen are two products that need some feature updates to maintain sales.

 

[JosephAW]

Now with the M1 chip do you think there would be a really low and Mac mini that doesn’t contain any storage locally but is a cloud-based computer. As newer M1 chips are released the baseline M1 chips will be stockpiled and readily usable for something like this. Either that or turn an Apple TV into a mini Mac.

 

[TheYayAreaLiving 🎗️]

Really hoping it's going to be the mac mini. A mid-range desktop sans monitor has been missing from their lineup forever. Finally, a mac mini with some real power!

I agree. Mac Mini is due for an update desperately. I'm pretty sure it'll make its debut in the spring Apple event.

 

[Realityck]

Now with the M1 chip do you think there would be a really low and Mac mini that doesn’t contain any storage locally but is a cloud-based computer. As newer M1 chips are released the baseline M1 chips will be stockpiled and readily usable for something like this. Either that or turn an Apple TV into a mini Mac.

tvOS revolves around a 24/7 OS that supports 4K HDCP based HDR video/multi-channel surround sound audio. MacOS doesn't have any software that supports that kind of HDCP playback to a consumer TV. Each of the OS ecosystems have been a bit walled off from each other as Apple has purposely not allowed iPhones to act like tablets that need iPadOS, and the same with Apple TVs not to be able to run apps made for iPhone or iPads. I personally don't like thin clients, as puts the failure of many clients not being able to work attributed to the server/storage involved. Funny you mentioned this after a few instances of iCloud being messed up.

 

[Cosmosent]

have you read those threads? it's mostly the same people using the same arguments going around in a circle.

Some are valuable, most are NOT.

But, there is alot of interest on the subject.

 

[Freeangel1]

I'm waiting for the Samsung S23 ULTRA.

 

[LeeW]

The only thing that really interests me at the moment is a new Mac Mini. Not really that sure anything they may bring out will do anything more or much better than my M1 MM but time will tell.

 

[LeeW]

I'm waiting for the Samsung S23 ULTRA.

Wow.. That is way too much phone for me as someone who just needs it for calls but jeez, that looks cool.

 

[Realityck]

I'm waiting for the Samsung S23 ULTRA.

I think a updated iPad mini pro with phone functionality would eat it for lunch. All these high end niche phones are too much into something too little. I wonder why the market keeps pushing them over small tablets that you could use as a real phone.

I hope the economy iPhone SE 3rd gen is a winner.

 

[fbr$]

Interested in a Mac mini Pro only if a 32GB 512GB 10-core configuration is only $1600, more than that I'd go with a MacBook Pro 14".

 

[medialook]

I'm hoping for updated MagSafe charging accessories that will support fast Charing both on iPhone and Apple Watch.

 

[Blue Nova]

NO, the iMac Pro is coming now…
I want it so much! ????

edit:
If a MacMini Pro/Max comes I go with that. If both iMac Pro and higher end MacMini comes, I might go with the Mini, and save some money and buy 2 LG displays myself.
I just keep forgetting about the last option ?

I would do the same, I think this is the way to go, the Mac mini with everything on it and a display.

 

[pevides]

NO, the iMac Pro is coming now…
I want it so much! ????

edit:
If a MacMini Pro/Max comes I go with that. If both iMac Pro and higher end MacMini comes, I might go with the Mini, and save some money and buy 2 LG displays myself.
I just keep forgetting about the last option ?

It´s not PRO. Only small.

 

[InuNacho]

Legitimate question: Exactly what benefit does an M-Series iMac Pro have?
Outside of Apple in house software, isn't it a crapshoot of creative software that is M-Series native? I see most of the Adobe suite is M compatible but something big like AE is still Intel.
What about the dwindling scientific field? Various plugins and external hardware that need Intel?

 

[azentropy]

Interested in a Mac mini Pro only if a 32GB 512GB 10-core configuration is only $1600, more than that I'd go with a MacBook Pro 14".

I’d buy one too at that price, but I’d be absolutely shocked if that configuration would be priced that low. At least $1900 just going up from the current M1 Mac mini. 16/512 is $1100, going to 32 would be $400. Going to base M1 pro 8 core would be $200, going to 10 core variant another $200. Probably tack on another $100 for a new design/case.

 

[Realityck]

Legitimate question: Exactly what benefit does an M-Series iMac Pro have?
Outside of Apple in house software, isn't it a crapshoot of creative software that is M-Series native? I see most of the Adobe suite is M compatible but something big like AE is still Intel.
What about the dwindling scientific field? Various plugins and external hardware that need Intel?

First there is no M-series iMac Pro released, you can look at how it runs on a 2021 M1 Pro/Max 14"and 16" MBP for fact finding. Also you could also search against scientific software running on the M1 24" iMac.
Software is either universal (ARM native support) or x86 Mac programs play via Rosetta 2 if they are 64 bit variety.