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What Do You Want to See From Apple in 2017?
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Maybe 10 years after the Intel partnership, it might be time for a Ryzen Opteron-based all-AMD Mac Pro...
How about a version of OSX that shows available RAM X 2 so people can stop bitching about 32 gigs of ram that they will never use 
I would like to see Apple work with Engineering and Science Software vendors that either make Windows only versions or have Windows only features usually because of lack for Active X support in Mac OS. Apple needs an answer for Active X other than running Windows on the mac through S/W such as Virtual PC or bootcamp. Matlab and Labview both have cross platform versions, but due to lack of Active X on the Mac, many advanced features don't work on the Mac. If Apple wants to make inroads as a Mac OS platform into Windows dominated science and Engineering companies they need a viable answer to Active X and they need to assist vendors in porting these advanced features to the Mac OS.
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?
1. a 13" macbook with the same battery life as my 2015
2. a thunderbolt3 GPU enclosure that is officially supported
chop chop, the tech is all there Apple. Pull finger out, give us the ability to hook up Geforce 1080s, Titans and AMD Vega up to our macbooks (or Minis, or as even more GPU compute for the Mac Pros - there's no technical reason even the current mac pro couldn't have a bunch of external GPUs hooked up to it for more GPGPU compute via thunderbolt 2).
It used to work just fine with Thunderbolt 1 if you were to hack the parts together yourself, this is way, way overdue and would be a killer peripheral for the mac.
2. a thunderbolt3 GPU enclosure that is officially supported
chop chop, the tech is all there Apple. Pull finger out, give us the ability to hook up Geforce 1080s, Titans and AMD Vega up to our macbooks (or Minis, or as even more GPU compute for the Mac Pros - there's no technical reason even the current mac pro couldn't have a bunch of external GPUs hooked up to it for more GPGPU compute via thunderbolt 2).
It used to work just fine with Thunderbolt 1 if you were to hack the parts together yourself, this is way, way overdue and would be a killer peripheral for the mac.
At some point, this year really, Apple will have to give users some of the things they want. While that is not indicative of the fall in iPhone sales it is a portion of it. The cellular device market is mature and while new users enter every day because people simple continue reproducing, the desire to jump to the next new phone is failing. Phones are more durable, well built and get better support.
New iOS drops are taxing for me, I am the only device engineer in my company and we carry both iPhone and iPad lines. Each SW is me testing every model. Apple choosing to extend the support on aged devices (the 4S in to iOS 9) was trying but at the same time I welcome the extended support because it shows investment in to a product and a break from the 2 year upgrade cycle.
Samsung, LG et al. has proven how beneficial AMOLED is to the battery, a typical complaint for iPhones. Apple does great voodoo with it's software to reduce battery life but it still relies on an LCD screen that wastes potential energy. To move to AMOLED is to accept that a dark mode will exist. At least in my thoughts.
I've not owned a mac computer, notebook or Apple TV. Just not my cuppa but I do hope they do something progressive. To allow products to linger for 18+ months with no updates is poor practice. Users will perceive them as dead product lines.
New iOS drops are taxing for me, I am the only device engineer in my company and we carry both iPhone and iPad lines. Each SW is me testing every model. Apple choosing to extend the support on aged devices (the 4S in to iOS 9) was trying but at the same time I welcome the extended support because it shows investment in to a product and a break from the 2 year upgrade cycle.
Samsung, LG et al. has proven how beneficial AMOLED is to the battery, a typical complaint for iPhones. Apple does great voodoo with it's software to reduce battery life but it still relies on an LCD screen that wastes potential energy. To move to AMOLED is to accept that a dark mode will exist. At least in my thoughts.
I've not owned a mac computer, notebook or Apple TV. Just not my cuppa but I do hope they do something progressive. To allow products to linger for 18+ months with no updates is poor practice. Users will perceive them as dead product lines.
Two USB 3.1 Gen 2 Ports on the MacBook
USB C power adapters with all iOS devices
USB C power adapters with all iOS devices
The macbook (and iMac, Mac Pro, for that matter) stagnation is mostly Intel's fault. The difference between haswell, broadwell and skylake is pretty damn minimal you're talking less than 5 percent on most stuff. Battery life is about the same.
Apple probably looked at the performance, looked at the cost to redesign their boards to accomodate and wisely decided to pass. There were a heap of bugs in the skylake chipsets/drivers too, so personally i think they dodged a bullet there. I've had heaps of integrated skylake GPU crashes in Surface Pros and other PC laptops. Whilst apple would have their own take on the drivers, you can bet large potions of the integrated GPU driver is written by intel, in addition to the firmware for it.
The Mac Pro is held up at the moment due to minimal improvement in current Xeons in terms of performance per core (and more cores at slower clock speed - which is what you get from intel as you increase core count - not being better for most desktop workloads. the mac pro is not sold as a server). Also due to the impending release of Vega (new GPU) from AMD. Apple won't use NVidia GPUs in it, and until Vega comes out AMD hasn't really had any new high end GPUs (other than polaris and that isn't aimed at that segment). Since 2012 its all been model re-numbering of the same parts.
Expect something big mac pro related by mid-year when the relevant new parts are available.
Apple probably looked at the performance, looked at the cost to redesign their boards to accomodate and wisely decided to pass. There were a heap of bugs in the skylake chipsets/drivers too, so personally i think they dodged a bullet there. I've had heaps of integrated skylake GPU crashes in Surface Pros and other PC laptops. Whilst apple would have their own take on the drivers, you can bet large potions of the integrated GPU driver is written by intel, in addition to the firmware for it.
The Mac Pro is held up at the moment due to minimal improvement in current Xeons in terms of performance per core (and more cores at slower clock speed - which is what you get from intel as you increase core count - not being better for most desktop workloads. the mac pro is not sold as a server). Also due to the impending release of Vega (new GPU) from AMD. Apple won't use NVidia GPUs in it, and until Vega comes out AMD hasn't really had any new high end GPUs (other than polaris and that isn't aimed at that segment). Since 2012 its all been model re-numbering of the same parts.
Expect something big mac pro related by mid-year when the relevant new parts are available.
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Black MacPro Cube with replaceable processor and replaceable grafic cards (or additional external Tunderbolt 3 grafic card box for up to 4 grafic cards and hdd/ssd disc box in the same design).
See, I knew there was a reason to read what others are saying!!!! This stupid horizontil curve around the side edge to edge thing is completely useless. Every time I hear the upcoming Iphone will be "edge to edge" only to find out they are referring to horizontally........I want to blow my brains out!!!!! Thanks for nothing. I guess if I develop x-ray vision to see through my case, that 1/8th of a inch section of screen will be really great to look at.
Oy.
They have developed the technology to have edge to edge vertically and still have touch id so if that is not included on new Iphone I will be extremely disappointed.
(1) iMac: Fusion Drive as standard...this really boggles my mind because it as it stands now it creates a very poor user experience for people who just buy $1500 machines expecting things to work quickly. Also, the machine casing is in need of a redesign, but Apple should not cripple the machine...KEEP USER REPLACEABLE RAM for the 27" (although I fear this is on the chopping block). Space Gray/Matte Black option.
(2) MacBook Pro: I have been having battery issues and constant with the new models, and I replaced my first one and am testing out a new one to see. Either way, a lower price point and these problems fixed would be welcome. Those issues non-withstanding, the new laptops are my favorite Macs Apple has ever made. Touch bar, Touch ID, new keyboard, trackpad, speakers, screen and design are all top notch.
(3) Macbook: Thunderbolt 3 and extra port. Bring Touchbar if possible. 14" model.
(4) Magic Keyboard 2: Touch Bar and Touch ID.
(5) Mac Pro and Mini: Update them!
(6) iWork: refocus on features that disappeared that are still not back yet. In particular Pages needs the most work.
(7) iCloud: give people more base storage and focus more on education. Apple has several lost this space to Google.
(8) iPhone: the 10th anniversary model sounds interesting, but I really hope Apple doesn't splinter the lines too much with a 7s and that phone.
(9) iPads: Where to start....a focused OS that has professional features and can do more productive work. There are also too many options in the lineup and the "pro" models are simply higher priced spec bumps.
(10) Please stop not-updating products and then when they don't sell in large numbers kill of said product and wonder why they aren't selling.
(11) Educational leadership for schools with more products/services actually aimed at that market.
(12) Vision across all of Apples products.
(13) Watch: keep changing the OS as the first two were terrible. Case redesign would be welcome at this point.
(14) "It Just Works": More things like AirPods/Apple Pay/Touch ID. Stuff that really changes your day to day interactions with technology.
(2) MacBook Pro: I have been having battery issues and constant with the new models, and I replaced my first one and am testing out a new one to see. Either way, a lower price point and these problems fixed would be welcome. Those issues non-withstanding, the new laptops are my favorite Macs Apple has ever made. Touch bar, Touch ID, new keyboard, trackpad, speakers, screen and design are all top notch.
(3) Macbook: Thunderbolt 3 and extra port. Bring Touchbar if possible. 14" model.
(4) Magic Keyboard 2: Touch Bar and Touch ID.
(5) Mac Pro and Mini: Update them!
(6) iWork: refocus on features that disappeared that are still not back yet. In particular Pages needs the most work.
(7) iCloud: give people more base storage and focus more on education. Apple has several lost this space to Google.
(8) iPhone: the 10th anniversary model sounds interesting, but I really hope Apple doesn't splinter the lines too much with a 7s and that phone.
(9) iPads: Where to start....a focused OS that has professional features and can do more productive work. There are also too many options in the lineup and the "pro" models are simply higher priced spec bumps.
(10) Please stop not-updating products and then when they don't sell in large numbers kill of said product and wonder why they aren't selling.
(11) Educational leadership for schools with more products/services actually aimed at that market.
(12) Vision across all of Apples products.
(13) Watch: keep changing the OS as the first two were terrible. Case redesign would be welcome at this point.
(14) "It Just Works": More things like AirPods/Apple Pay/Touch ID. Stuff that really changes your day to day interactions with technology.
Adding to the choir here ... an updated Mac Mini with leading-edge options; a meaningful update to the MacBook; a Siri who works better than Alexa; a Pencil with an eraser (similar to how Paper by 53's pencil works) and an off switch; and more seamless integration across iOS, macOS, and tvOS (on the latter, mirror config and app folder changes across ATV4 (or 5?) devices, connect to the new AirPods, etc.).
I feel a bit conflicted in tone here, but I'd like to see both significant steps forward (Mac Mini, MacBook) and at the same time, more focus on a consistent "Apple" experience (across the various operating systems). Apple can't lose sight of new customers but I'd really appreciate some love for the decades-long loyalists who accept quasi-integrated and almost-aligned platforms (double down on the ecosystem!).
By way of context, I need horsepower at home and portability on the road. Currently I am using a mid-2014 rMBP for audio work at home and an original MacBook when away, with an iPhone 7+ and 9.7" iPad Pro. I'd love to swap out the rMPB for a new Mac Mini (don't need a Mac Pro, although I'd love to see them update that for those who want or need it) and get a bumped MB with the latest processor options.
The headphone jack thing is not an issue for me (I've been wireless with bluetooth for years, and love the AirPods) and while I have opinions about the new MacBook Pro line, it's not something I'm interested in currently. I love the MacBook and would appreciate next-gen chips with a few more USB-C ports. Apple TV is a potential game-changer if they continue making progress and sign the big providers (Xfinity?).
(At risk of carrying on a bit here, I'd also love to see some serious focus on CarPlay. I'm currently using Ford's Sync3 and while it does support CarPlay, I find the QNX-based Sync3 to be superior far across the board. Do that Apple thing and bring the best of Sync3 into CarPlay, and take three leaps forward instead of fractions of tip-toe steps. The CarPlay in iOS 10.2.1 beta 2 remains disappointing. One can hope...)
I feel a bit conflicted in tone here, but I'd like to see both significant steps forward (Mac Mini, MacBook) and at the same time, more focus on a consistent "Apple" experience (across the various operating systems). Apple can't lose sight of new customers but I'd really appreciate some love for the decades-long loyalists who accept quasi-integrated and almost-aligned platforms (double down on the ecosystem!).
By way of context, I need horsepower at home and portability on the road. Currently I am using a mid-2014 rMBP for audio work at home and an original MacBook when away, with an iPhone 7+ and 9.7" iPad Pro. I'd love to swap out the rMPB for a new Mac Mini (don't need a Mac Pro, although I'd love to see them update that for those who want or need it) and get a bumped MB with the latest processor options.
The headphone jack thing is not an issue for me (I've been wireless with bluetooth for years, and love the AirPods) and while I have opinions about the new MacBook Pro line, it's not something I'm interested in currently. I love the MacBook and would appreciate next-gen chips with a few more USB-C ports. Apple TV is a potential game-changer if they continue making progress and sign the big providers (Xfinity?).
(At risk of carrying on a bit here, I'd also love to see some serious focus on CarPlay. I'm currently using Ford's Sync3 and while it does support CarPlay, I find the QNX-based Sync3 to be superior far across the board. Do that Apple thing and bring the best of Sync3 into CarPlay, and take three leaps forward instead of fractions of tip-toe steps. The CarPlay in iOS 10.2.1 beta 2 remains disappointing. One can hope...)
I'd like to see Apple listen to their customers for once.
Just one thing, really:
PUT DOWN THE DAMN SOLDERING GUN. The nail-it-all-down paradigm of user customizability on an iGadget SIMPLY DOES NOT SCALE to the professional computer. It makes buying a new Mac much more of a gamble at a time the Mac should be the surest thing on the market.
PUT DOWN THE DAMN SOLDERING GUN. The nail-it-all-down paradigm of user customizability on an iGadget SIMPLY DOES NOT SCALE to the professional computer. It makes buying a new Mac much more of a gamble at a time the Mac should be the surest thing on the market.
I agree and I've just sent Tim C. an email asking for upgraded minis and pros, ya know with user replaceable/upgradable parts, etc. His response, i'm certain, will be prompt, as usual.
I have MBP's and an iPad. Don't have a smartphone. In terms of OS'es, I really could not imagine anything in particular would want. When new OS'es come out, I wait a while and then upgrade cause they are free. I generally consider them small incremental workflow improvements and appreciate them as such.
As for the MBP hardware, I'd like a new MBP model that favored performance over lightness. I would happily accept a pound heavier MBP in order to have a bigger battery, better cooling and the return of the recently removed ports.
As for the MBP hardware, I'd like a new MBP model that favored performance over lightness. I would happily accept a pound heavier MBP in order to have a bigger battery, better cooling and the return of the recently removed ports.
#1 feature I want to see on both iOS and MacOS is legacy support so all my old software can run on the new hardware. I don't tend to buy new hardware because I have a lot of old software I still need to use that won't run under the new OSs. There are a lot of people in the same situation. This is costing Apple hardware sales.