What Do You Want to See From Apple in 2017?

[M2M]

This forum needs a thumbs-down. Tim Cook has been doing a fine job.

I would say avarage at best - but I don't like worlds most valuable company run by an avarage CEO ( B player in Jobs words)

There has not been one iOS update in the last year which Apple didn't pull because of bricking of some devices.

This is really inexcusable. Yes Apple has more devices out there then ever - but then Apple is also richer then ever so I expect them to invest more in QA!

 

[jimbobb24]

More development of tvOS.

I use my Apple TV primarily to display family videos and photos and it is surprisingly limited in this. I have 35000 photos and videos which I pay Apple to store in cloud but I can only have a small slide show if my shared photos and it does not display videos at all. It cannot not play through my videos without my selecting each one. Just lots of limits.

There are now some apps that are pretty good though.

 

[dondon4720]

If they released an new mac pro i would be the happiest clam in the deep blue sea

 

[emm386]

Steve Jobs is only as good as the people working with him. You give him waaaaaaaaaaaay too much credit. As an engineer myself it kind of pisses me off.

Sorry, you are misunderstanding me.

I give him credit for reclessly cleaning up their product line from the unnecessary accumulated junk product variations.

Something Tim Cook is working very hard on undoing.

 

[NewBench]

A 2017 iPhone SE 2.

I love the screen size. Just either updated internals, or slightly updated body, but keeping the proportions the same.

Please Apple!

 

[AZ63]

Why so many iPhone sizes? They should just have 2 the max.

The iPhone is a big deal for Apple.
The anniversary iPhone will be just one year and have certain things the other iPhones don't. Then Apple will go back to 2 models. See how Apple handled the anniversary iMac as an idea of what Apple does to recognize their "great" product lines.

 

[4jasontv]

Who's to say he doesn't care? I think he does. Apple still produce great products.

Give an example so I can have some faith to hold onto. Are you talking about the ipads that crawl when you do a system update, the macbooks that have bad battery, the cloud service that can't sync correctly, the 3 year old desktops ipods, the iPhone 6s2, or the proprietary $30 lightning cables that don't work with the new macbooks? Please tell me how I buy five new mac products that actually work together seamlessly. People give Microsoft crap for trying to move to subscription software while Apple ties their hardware to it. Want to sync your mac and ipad? Use iCloud. It will only cost you $240 a year on top of the $4 to 5 k you already spent on hardware to have enough storage to back up most of your devices. Hope 2 TB is enough space cause that's the most we advertise.

The future of phones is apps. (Ok, maybe.)

The future of TV is apps. (Um. the aTV 4 is slower than the aTV3, and both are worse than a hacked an aTV2.)

The future of watches is apps. (LOLZ.)

The future of the car is apps. (If manufacturers actually supported CarPlay.)

What exactly is great about the products they produce?

 

[sleepydinosaur]

It doesn't take a genius to figure out that the over 3 year old Mac Pro starting at $3,000 is pathetically long over due for an update.

I absolutely agree with you.

 

[lbjsong]

Some love for mac mini

 

[itguy06]

The surface dial is a completely new computing accessory. Granted the audience is slim, but that audience benefits immensely from the accessory. How can a re-skin of old technology (wireless headphones) be considered more innovative than an entirely new and unique accessory?

Surface Dial seems like an extension of this guy that's been around since 2002 or so:
https://griffintechnology.com/us/powermate

 

[Kmh241]

We've covered what we expect to see from Apple in 2017 based on the rumors that are circulating so far in our recent What to Expect post.

On the horizon are a new iPhone 8 with a radically redesigned body and an edge-to-edge display, a revamped iPad Pro also potentially with an edge-to-edge display, long-awaited iMac updates, and new software, but there's always the chance there's a wildcard update or new product in the works that will surprise us all.

A redesigned Apple TV, a new home hub, and augmented reality smart glasses are all products that are rumored to be in the works with no prospective release date. We want to hear from the MacRumors community -- what are you expecting or hoping to see Apple release in 2017?

Are there specific features you're hoping Apple will implement in iOS 11, tvOS 11, watchOS 4, or macOS 10.13? Popular wishlist items from last year included a dark mode for iOS, home screen widgets, and a customizable control center.

Let us know what you want to see in the comments, and make sure to check our our What to Expect post for the latest rumors. Apple's plans for 2017 will likely become more clear in the early months of the year, and as always, we'll be covering all of the rumors in-depth here at MacRumors.

The MacRumors forums are also always a rich resource for talking about upcoming products and rumors, and with the biggest iPhone change in years set to happen in 2017, our forums are the place to be for lively discussions.

We'd also like to thank all of our readers and our forum members for making MacRumors the absolute best source for Mac news and advice on the web. We wouldn't be here without you, and we look forward to another rumor-packed year.

Article Link: What Do You Want to See From Apple in 2017?

- I would like to see Apple take some risks and innovate at a faster pace. I want the following in 2017:
- Smart Hub Speaker
- AR
- Totally redesigned iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch, AppleTV, Macs.
- killer software updates.
- I am a BIG Apple fan but things have got to change in 2017.

There is my two cents.

 

[wigby]

More free base storage for iCloud!

And more competively priced larger storage options too! Many give Apple flack for being greedy and artificially limiting products. I can defend them on every single one of those complaints except for the iCloud storage.
[doublepost=1483324216][/doublepost]

I think the 2015 Air is close enough to being my perfect notebook. I just wished it had Retina and same footprint as the "12 MacBook.

But would you buy it if you already had a 2015 MacBook? Most people wouldn't so Apple probably sees no reason to rush out that for release in 2016 or 2017.
[doublepost=1483324982][/doublepost]

Give an example so I can have some faith to hold onto. Are you talking about the ipads that crawl when you do a system update, the macbooks that have bad battery, the cloud service that can't sync correctly, the 3 year old desktops ipods, the iPhone 6s2, or the proprietary $30 lightning cables that don't work with the new macbooks? Please tell me how I buy five new mac products that actually work together seamlessly. People give Microsoft crap for trying to move to subscription software while Apple ties their hardware to it. Want to sync your mac and ipad? Use iCloud. It will only cost you $240 a year on top of the $4 to 5 k you already spent on hardware to have enough storage to back up most of your devices. Hope 2 TB is enough space cause that's the most we advertise.

The future of phones is apps. (Ok, maybe.)

The future of TV is apps. (Um. the aTV 4 is slower than the aTV3, and both are worse than a hacked an aTV2.)

The future of watches is apps. (LOLZ.)

The future of the car is apps. (If manufacturers actually supported CarPlay.)

What exactly is great about the products they produce?

AirPods are a great example of a new Apple product that seamlessly work across all Apple devices. And I know how much you guys like to joke about words like "magic" and "it just works" but that is precisely the experience the AirPods conjure up. Are they overpriced with no great gains in sound quality? Sure but that's not the problems Apple was trying to solve and probably will never try to solve.

I think ATV 4 is also great. My apps crash a little too often but getting back to playing content is always trivial. The apps are making the difference, it's just that they are not coming from the usual iPhone developers. They're coming from the content providers so there is still a learning curve.

The watch is still finding its purpose for both Apple and users. watchOS 3 was a big jump but it's hard to tell if developers will follow suit.

iPad Pro and Pencil are also great products although a little more niche.

I'm hearing lots of talk about Apple's AR initiatives so I really hope they take a leading position on AR in 2017 instead of the usual waiting for everyone else to fail before they come in as the tech heroes.

 

[4jasontv]

What's wrong with iBooks? I've been using it every day since it first came out (both on iPhone and iPad, and occasionally on macOS) and I've rarely had any issue with it (except the very first version where it had trouble syncing my bookmarks). For me, it's been one of the better core iOS apps.

I actually like the macOS Maps app as well, although some of the back-end mapping data is still inaccurate (but steadily improving).

I don't know what the issue with iBooks is on modern hardware. Everything runs fine. There really isn't an excuse for why an iPad should ever stumble loading a book. Even a first gen iPad should take whatever you throw at it. I have some medical text that are nearly impossible to navigate on my old iPad.

Apple maps rocks. No complaints. I prefer to ask Siri for directions than any other app.

 

[wigby]

1. A cohesive product line that does not relegate some users to reduced functionality simply because they prefer smaller physical devices.
2. A more cohesive product line that works for all users. We don't need 6+ versions of a laptop that are all thin and underpowered. We need an inexpensive laptop for students (but full functionality, 12 & 15? inch), a business laptop (12 & 15 inch, more ports, soldered in RAM, SSD), and a workstation laptop (15 & 17 inch, not focused on battery life, with even more ports, replaceable RAM & SSD). Drop the word Pro for laptops, apple does not make a Pro laptop.
3. We need the top end laptop to have replaceable SSD and memory.
4. We need the top end laptop to be able to support up to 64 GB of memory.
5. We need options in the top end laptop to let the users choose between battery life and performance based on installed RAM and SSD.
6. We need an Apple that does not ignore product lines because they are all working on "One" next big thing.
7. We need a CEO that pulls his head out and stops trying to BS Apple users. Stop the interviews and other external focus and get back to the core Apple business. Every product that Apple sells now is a commodity, but Apple treats them all like they are supposed to be the next big thing. We don't need keynotes for new laptops, just release them.
8. If Apple is going to ignore product lines, then drop them, quit trying to fool users into believing that Apple cares.
9. Apple needs to understand that it impresses by its actions, not its advertising, interviews, and other BS. Sure advertising etc. are needed, but without the actions, the advertising comes off as BS. Apple is living today based on past actions, that won't last much longer.
10. Apples product lines need to have cohesive ports. If there is a transition in progress then Apple needs to tell its users what the future is rather than lie and keep us in the dark. We need to be able to plan our technology purchases.
11. Apple needs to put someone in charge that understands quality and can rationally make good decisions that achieves both marketing deadlines and delivering quality products. To do otherwise as is currently the case causes users to lose faith in Apple.

1. Agreed but since this practice keeps Apple's ASP high, don't count on it.
2. Apple might not make a Pro laptop for you but they absolutely make laptops for millions of pros. Nothing is really going to change on this front until Intel fixes their mess and/or Apple uses their own CPU in laptops.
3. Never going to happen.
4. Talk to Intel.
5. Not sure what you're proposing but Apple has offered this for GPU in the past. I believe it caused the exact kind of user confusion that Apple predicted so they nixed it.
6. It's a conundrum. You're essentially asking Apple to return to the days before Jobs came back. No one wants that.
7. Apple has always acted this way. Yes, they have a more public face in Cook but I think it makes the statement that Jobs never could achieve. Jobs always touted Apple as intersection between tech and liberal arts. Now they are putting their money where their mouth is. Great products only gain you loyal customers but do little to change the world.
8. Agreed but we will probably never have the full story.
9. I think you're in conflict with your 7th point. Either they do things outside of great products or they don't. Would the Apple of yesteryear gone head to head with the FBI? We'll never know but I feel like they've got more than just Thee customers' backs in a way they have never before.
10. Never going to happen. You're asking Apple to announce new products and then tell all their customers to wait until next year. No companies wanting to stay in business ever do that.
11. They could use a small executive shakeup to fix some of the recent mishaps in delivery, marketing and poor choices.

 

[4jasontv]

AirPods are a great example of a new Apple product that seamlessly work across all Apple devices. And I know how much you guys like to joke about words like "magic" and "it just works" but that is precisely the experience the AirPods conjure up. Are they overpriced with no great gains in sound quality? Sure but that's not the problems Apple was trying to solve and probably will never try to solve.

I think ATV 4 is also great. My apps crash a little too often but getting back to playing content is always trivial. The apps are making the difference, it's just that they are not coming from the usual iPhone developers. They're coming from the content providers so there is still a learning curve.

The watch is still finding its purpose for both Apple and users. watchOS 3 was a big jump but it's hard to tell if developers will follow suit.

iPad Pro and Pencil are also great products although a little more niche.

I'm hearing lots of talk about Apple's AR initiatives so I really hope they take a leading position on AR in 2017 instead of the usual waiting for everyone else to fail before they come in as the tech heroes.

Didn't MR just run an article about how airpods were losing battery rapidly? I don't have a pair so it's hard for me to speak about them critically. They use lighting cables to charge, correct? That doesn't sound like it works well with a MacBook.

I also think it's a stretch to say it's OK for a 4th gen product to crash and a 3rd gen product to not have a purpose. The pencil reminds me of the light guns for the Super Nintendo and Genesis. Expensive accessories that work great for three pieces of software. If it was bundled with the iPad at the same price, if the iPad was $100 cheaper, or if it worked with iPhones and iMacs it would be easier to swallow.

That was my point though. I can't use the devices seamlessly together. They take different charger, with different accessories, and they don't get updated on the same cycle. So the next iPad will introduce features that won't work well until you get the iMac that comes out 7 months later, or the MacBook that comes out 2 years later.

 

[TaviDuprix]

I want to see major battery improvements across the board. At least 20% more mAh, especially in the phone. The best Christmas present I got this year was a portable battery charger. And that says a lot about the state of the phone's power.

 

[sshambles]

Make Apple Great Again

 

[BobVB]

I just want products that can compete with a Fry's weekly special MS system. At this time I can't even recommend an iPhone to my friends because I can't recommend the rest of the Apple ecosystem; antique desktops that don't have the GPU power to play even basic games at reasonable frame rates, laptops that are made thinner rather than more powerful.

I'm still in the Apple family because of years of investment - I can't recommend anyone enter it with the current equipment available.

 

[ThunderSkunk]

A capable tablet for creative professionals.

...so, running OSX. 15" display off the MBP. A proper Wacom digitizer & pen.

Do it and kill off surface.

 

[lincolntran]

What an odd request. You don't have to replace Steve anymore. Tim replaced Steve. No one is asking if a US president will live up to Washington. What they want to know is who can do the job today.

As far as Cook, when you have someone who isn't doing the job you don't say, "meh I can't think of anyone else", you actively start interviewing. See whose intereseted.

Maybe I wasn't clear in my post. What meant was that there're lots and lots of MR readers who want Cook out of Apple, but I haven't seen anyone of those people offer up a more quality replacement. So I challenge those who think that Cook should be ousted to find a better replacement for that position at Apple.

I'm not defending Cook. I'm challenging MR readers to think harder than just "let kick someone out" and actually think step #2 , which is what happens if they kick Cook out?
[doublepost=1483328142][/doublepost]

That's another easy question: Craig Federighi

Reasons and support evidences please.

 

[EdT]

At this point I think what many Apple product users want basically falls into 2 categories:

1. Tell us what your product line is going to be.
2. Make whatever those items are cohesive, intuitive and reliable.

Steve Jobs did not tell the public what Apple was working on, and he didn't always hit home runs. He seemed to be fixated on single button mice and proprietary connectors, for example. But he also seemed to have an over-all blueprint for products, the niches they would fill, and how all of the systems would work together. That is now gone, so I don't think a lot of people are willing to keep giving Apple the benefit of the doubt. I would like (though I doubt it will happen) Apple to say if they are really staying in the computer business, or if they are stringing people along until contracts are fulfilled and commitments are legally satisfied, which is where it looks like they are going.

If they are going to be a phone and phablet company then at least have a coordinated product line and features. What they have now seems piecemeal, and their reasons for doing things seem unconnected from product to product.

 

[guy_mac]

Coke and strippers. As in coca cola, of course.

Short of that, a microfiber cloth gratis with all laptops and free dongles.

 

[sleepydinosaur]

I'd like to see both the iPhone and iPad completely reimagined.

Start completely over with the form factor. No idea how much one could *drastically* change these but I'd love to see it.

 

[AdonisSMU]

It doesn't take a genius to figure out that the over 3 year old Mac Pro starting at $3,000 is pathetically long over due for an update.

I agree. Apple doesn't update the pricing with the time that has passed. If the pricing mirrored how old the product is it wouldn't be so annoying. They keep the prices the same even though the tech is several years old. It's like WTF?!
[doublepost=1483332985][/doublepost]

With making money for Apple yes but not inventing or making Apple products well anymore, The MacBook Pro touchbar is a good place to start.

Tim Cook is the reason Apple is able to make the products they make tbqh...

 

[PizzaBoxStyle]

In 2017, I just want Siri to not crack stupid jokes and actually answer my questions intelligently instead of "Here's what I found in Safari"

I second this! The jokes and sass have become grating and sometimes unbearable to me.

Sometimes I'm busy, I have my hands full, so I try to use Siri to cut down on screen time, and the damn thing can't do what I ask it to do properly, and then cracks a joke about it. I don't have time for that, and the jokes and sass that follow are snotty and unwelcome.

These days I only use Siri to set a timer when I'm cooking and my hands are messy. It does do that well.