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What Do You Want to See From Apple in 2021?
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1. New iMacs (24" and 30"?) with "m-class" processors, slimmer bezels and height adjustability.
2. Redesign Macbook chassis. The current chassis was ground-breaking when introduced, but it would be nice to have a refresh with m-power for 14 and 16" models.
3. Work on exorcising the bugs out of cloud services. Since MobileMe days, I've never had reliable iCloud Drive syncing across multiple Macs. iOS devices sync, but Macs do not consistently. Fix signing into Music so you don't randomly have to enter your password multiple times to register as signed in.
4. New Apple TV with redesigned remote featuring an off button and improved scrolling.
5. Focus resources on core hardware and software. Stop trying to be all things to all people (cars, speakers, etc).
6. Introduce at least 2 different sized Apple-branded displays that integrate with Mac OS and are affordable (<$1,200)
2. Redesign Macbook chassis. The current chassis was ground-breaking when introduced, but it would be nice to have a refresh with m-power for 14 and 16" models.
3. Work on exorcising the bugs out of cloud services. Since MobileMe days, I've never had reliable iCloud Drive syncing across multiple Macs. iOS devices sync, but Macs do not consistently. Fix signing into Music so you don't randomly have to enter your password multiple times to register as signed in.
4. New Apple TV with redesigned remote featuring an off button and improved scrolling.
5. Focus resources on core hardware and software. Stop trying to be all things to all people (cars, speakers, etc).
6. Introduce at least 2 different sized Apple-branded displays that integrate with Mac OS and are affordable (<$1,200)
- More focus on software - endless bugs should not be tolerated nor should we be the beta testers.
- A new Apple TV focusing on gaming - make the leap into the console wars. Buy some AAA studios
- Add more Apple TV+ content - I'm on a free trial and have almost watched it all.
- Somehow adjust costs for Canadian orders. The prices points on some products are ridiculous.
- A new Apple TV focusing on gaming - make the leap into the console wars. Buy some AAA studios
- Add more Apple TV+ content - I'm on a free trial and have almost watched it all.
- Somehow adjust costs for Canadian orders. The prices points on some products are ridiculous.
I really wanted them to revive the airport routers with mesh Wi-Fi and local storage for macs and iPhones backups...
Could even have an Apple TV built in with bigger gaming possibilities using the storage ....
One can only hope...
Could even have an Apple TV built in with bigger gaming possibilities using the storage ....
One can only hope...
A new Apple airport mesh system compatible with HomeKit and also WiFi 6 would be great!
better quality control and software debugging
Add-on: Improve Siri. My young kids even complain about Siri as we do have one Google Nest mini (a gift) and they enjoy asking it questions. Siri most times fails and responds with "I found this on the internet"
Exactly!! A Apple Home Pod !!! Great Wi-Fi 6 mesh, HomeKit, 2T of storage, Apple TV, game controller....
- New Apple TV with Spatial Audio (H1 chip) and a super fast processor for iPhone-like smoothness.
- Redesigned Apple TV interface, to streamline it with other iOS interfaces.
- New AirPods Pro with better battery life and sound quality
- An iPhone SE Plus (to replace my iPhone 8 Plus with)
- Redesigned macOS Settings menu.
- Stereo pairing in MacOS for Homepods!
- HiFi music streaming in Apple Music (and integration with DJ products, huge gap left by Spotify!)
- HomePod (mini) launch in The Netherlands/Belgium, we already have a Dutch speaking Siri so it's time for a HomePod!
- New Apple Maps launch in EU so I can finally delete Google Maps.
edit: typo
- Redesigned Apple TV interface, to streamline it with other iOS interfaces.
- New AirPods Pro with better battery life and sound quality
- An iPhone SE Plus (to replace my iPhone 8 Plus with)
- Redesigned macOS Settings menu.
- Stereo pairing in MacOS for Homepods!
- HiFi music streaming in Apple Music (and integration with DJ products, huge gap left by Spotify!)
- HomePod (mini) launch in The Netherlands/Belgium, we already have a Dutch speaking Siri so it's time for a HomePod!
- New Apple Maps launch in EU so I can finally delete Google Maps.
edit: typo
On the hardware side for 2021:
1. New M1 Macs (except the Mac Pro which will likely be 2022)
2. New iPhone with minor spec bumps while they continue to promote 5G and maybe the camera (new design in 2022)
3. Focus on AirPod Pros (instead of AirPods), maybe a version that eliminates the stems
4. New Apple TV that uses the proper chip set, with a focus on third-party gaming in a poor attempt to compete with the playstation, switch, and xbox (Apple refuses to develop significant first party games ...the Apple poker game does not count as significant)
5. New Apple Watch with a focus on Apple Fitness+
6. A new product, such as AirTags (if they found a way to avoid Congress's anti-trust investigation such as by opening up the abilities to competitors) or Apple Glass or a new Airpower
7. Promoting privacy of HomePod and discounts on HomePod mini to compete
On the software side:
1. Apple's answer to the complaints of a monopoly by allowing browser downloads of Xcode built apps into the files app BUT keeping app downloads from a browser off the Home Screen (limited to the files app), in an attempt to fend off further anti-trust lawsuits and the EU's Digital Markets Act while still maintaining some control
2. Expansion of Apple Fitness+ to iPhones in order to increase the install base, but with a section that says "get feedback using the Apple Watch" or something like that
3. Improvements to Apple's weather app because of the numerous weather acquisitions in 2020 (radar or something else big?)
4. Promoting new content to Apple Arcade and Apple TV+ to maintain subscription numbers as free trials end
5. Improvements to Apple's News+ app in an attempt to salvage it
6. Bug squashing iOS 15 akin to snow leopard
1. New M1 Macs (except the Mac Pro which will likely be 2022)
2. New iPhone with minor spec bumps while they continue to promote 5G and maybe the camera (new design in 2022)
3. Focus on AirPod Pros (instead of AirPods), maybe a version that eliminates the stems
4. New Apple TV that uses the proper chip set, with a focus on third-party gaming in a poor attempt to compete with the playstation, switch, and xbox (Apple refuses to develop significant first party games ...the Apple poker game does not count as significant)
5. New Apple Watch with a focus on Apple Fitness+
6. A new product, such as AirTags (if they found a way to avoid Congress's anti-trust investigation such as by opening up the abilities to competitors) or Apple Glass or a new Airpower
7. Promoting privacy of HomePod and discounts on HomePod mini to compete
On the software side:
1. Apple's answer to the complaints of a monopoly by allowing browser downloads of Xcode built apps into the files app BUT keeping app downloads from a browser off the Home Screen (limited to the files app), in an attempt to fend off further anti-trust lawsuits and the EU's Digital Markets Act while still maintaining some control
2. Expansion of Apple Fitness+ to iPhones in order to increase the install base, but with a section that says "get feedback using the Apple Watch" or something like that
3. Improvements to Apple's weather app because of the numerous weather acquisitions in 2020 (radar or something else big?)
4. Promoting new content to Apple Arcade and Apple TV+ to maintain subscription numbers as free trials end
5. Improvements to Apple's News+ app in an attempt to salvage it
6. Bug squashing iOS 15 akin to snow leopard
I currently have almost everything in Apple's ecosystem. Here's my wish list for 2021:
- MacBook Pro 14" (ARM, of course) with same footprint as the current 13". Styling like the iPhone and iPad would be nice, with flat, vertical edges, and flat top and bottom. I want the option of built-in cellular, Face ID - in addition to keeping the Touch ID, better camera, 4 USB-C ports (two on each side, like current MBPs), and (I know, too much to wish for) physical function keys.
- Apple Watch with better battery life, even if it has to be chunkier. What I _really_ want for devices like the watch is "ambient charging" - charging through the air, like the seemingly-mythical Energous WattUp, so it can always be charging when I'm at home or in my office. And if possible, a sensor that monitors blood glucose through the skin.
- PowerBeats Pro updated with noise canceling and transparency mode. For some uses, I just prefer the ear hooks of the PowerBeats Pro to the smaller size of the AirPods Pro, but I want the same features.
- iPad Magic Keyboard without the physical click. I can't stand the loud click. When I use "touch to click" though, I end up with all sorts of unintended actions. Give it the same technology as the MacBooks. The small size of the trackpad is fine.
I don't have any wishes for the iPad itself or for the iPhone - aside from changing to a USB-C port on the phone - if they keep a port at all. I use an iMac, but I mostly use it for remoting into my office desktop, so my needs are minimal.
Software:
On iPhone, ability to zoom in on any screen, and then scroll around, so I don’t have to fish out my reading glasses. Might have to make the screen go into a photo-like read-only mode until it’s set back to normal size, but that would be ok.
On iPad, the ability to run apps like web servers, and other back-end tools, so the iPad can be used for local software development.
In all the photo apps, ability to put selected photos in a password-protected album, and make the “all photos” album password-protected. I take pictures of invoices and such, and don’t want the family to be able to scroll through those.
- MacBook Pro 14" (ARM, of course) with same footprint as the current 13". Styling like the iPhone and iPad would be nice, with flat, vertical edges, and flat top and bottom. I want the option of built-in cellular, Face ID - in addition to keeping the Touch ID, better camera, 4 USB-C ports (two on each side, like current MBPs), and (I know, too much to wish for) physical function keys.
- Apple Watch with better battery life, even if it has to be chunkier. What I _really_ want for devices like the watch is "ambient charging" - charging through the air, like the seemingly-mythical Energous WattUp, so it can always be charging when I'm at home or in my office. And if possible, a sensor that monitors blood glucose through the skin.
- PowerBeats Pro updated with noise canceling and transparency mode. For some uses, I just prefer the ear hooks of the PowerBeats Pro to the smaller size of the AirPods Pro, but I want the same features.
- iPad Magic Keyboard without the physical click. I can't stand the loud click. When I use "touch to click" though, I end up with all sorts of unintended actions. Give it the same technology as the MacBooks. The small size of the trackpad is fine.
I don't have any wishes for the iPad itself or for the iPhone - aside from changing to a USB-C port on the phone - if they keep a port at all. I use an iMac, but I mostly use it for remoting into my office desktop, so my needs are minimal.
Software:
On iPhone, ability to zoom in on any screen, and then scroll around, so I don’t have to fish out my reading glasses. Might have to make the screen go into a photo-like read-only mode until it’s set back to normal size, but that would be ok.
On iPad, the ability to run apps like web servers, and other back-end tools, so the iPad can be used for local software development.
In all the photo apps, ability to put selected photos in a password-protected album, and make the “all photos” album password-protected. I take pictures of invoices and such, and don’t want the family to be able to scroll through those.
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In our What to Expect article that we shared yesterday, we covered everything that we think we'll see from Apple in 2021 based on current product rumors and historical release data.
New, more powerful Apple silicon Macs with redesigns, iPhone 13 models with upgraded cameras, new Apple Watch models, and updated AirPods are in the works, plus we're expecting to finally get the AirTags and a new Apple TV.
We know what we think we'll see in 2021, but we want to hear from the MacRumors community. What are you hoping to see Apple release this year?
Are there new features you want to see in iOS 15 or macOS 12? Apple Smart Glasses? Updated iPhone features?
Let us know what you want to see in the comments, and take a look at our What to Expect article for a look at the current rumors. We'll learn more about Apple's 2021 product plans during the first months of the year, and as always, we'll have in-depth rumor coverage here at MacRumors.com.
Our MacRumors forums are also an excellent resource for discussing upcoming products and rumors, and with the most exciting Mac refreshes we've seen in years on the horizon, our forums are the place to be for discussions on what's next.
Thank you to all of our readers and our forum members for continuing to make MacRumors the number one site for Apple news, rumors, and advice on the web. We've been around for more than 20 years now, and that's all thanks to you. We look forward to another year of rumors in 2021 and all of the years to come. Happy New Year!
Article Link: What Do You Want to See From Apple in 2021?
An iPhone with touch ID. Then I will upgrade.
Definitely an updated mini iPad in the same form factor as the iPhone 12s/iPad Air 4s.
Apple Health, Activities, and Watch app on iPadOS and MacOS... Feature parity across all devices. I'd love to ditch my iPhone and use my iPad as my handheld and a Cellular Apple Watch as my carry-all.
Bonus Points: The friggin' calculator app on iPadOS...
Bonus Points: The friggin' calculator app on iPadOS...
I’m sure there’s a lot of exciting products in the pipeline but perhaps the one I‘m excited for the most are the upgraded and redesigned MacBook Pros and iMacs. The M-powered Macs are a thing of beauty and it’s high time we see that transition take place on a more powerful level. I expect these new high power laptops and desktop computers to put all others to shame.
The iPhone 12S (I predict it will be called) with 120Hz screen should be nice too, as well as the faster X60 5G modem.
I really hope we get a new Watch as well, a new design is warranted since the 4-5-6 series are all same in that regard.
As far as iPads, they are my favorite Apple product and mini-LED is interesting but all in all not enough to ditch my 2020... still waiting on those OLED screens myself (2022 perhaps?).
The iPhone 12S (I predict it will be called) with 120Hz screen should be nice too, as well as the faster X60 5G modem.
I really hope we get a new Watch as well, a new design is warranted since the 4-5-6 series are all same in that regard.
As far as iPads, they are my favorite Apple product and mini-LED is interesting but all in all not enough to ditch my 2020... still waiting on those OLED screens myself (2022 perhaps?).
• The ability to turn off auto-play audio in iOS. Why is this still a problem? Really @#$% tired of the music blasting out of my car speakers in the morning. The has been an issue for years and Apple—the "user-friendly" company—is completely oblivious to it.
• The ability to set volume levels on individual apps in iOS. Still a hassle to manage the volume settings on iOS.
• Some acknowledgement that backward compatibility isn't always evil. Catalina more or less killed my entire Steam game library and now the M1 chip is making its arrival. Apple will support Rosetta 2 for a couple years and then kill it off like they did with the PPC->Intel transition. Would be nice to have longer support for these things.
• Kill the iMac. My god, the all-in-one design had its time and place back when people were not so savvy about computers and the Internet, but the design has been milked needlessly for years and the constant, pointless thinning down of things/removal of features and ports may produce a visually impressive product but it's a detriment for desktop machines. Kill the iMac and make a couple high-end Minis. Seems like a no-brainer at this point.
• Multi-user support/app-level passcodes in iOS. This one is a pipe-dream, but I think it's safe to say most people don't use iPads as single-user devices. If not multi-user support, at least a way for the device owner to lock down certain apps with passcodes/facial recognition. I'd like my kids to be able to use my iPad to play games or watch videos, but not to get into my Dropbox or mess with any financial or work stuff.
• The ability to set volume levels on individual apps in iOS. Still a hassle to manage the volume settings on iOS.
• Some acknowledgement that backward compatibility isn't always evil. Catalina more or less killed my entire Steam game library and now the M1 chip is making its arrival. Apple will support Rosetta 2 for a couple years and then kill it off like they did with the PPC->Intel transition. Would be nice to have longer support for these things.
• Kill the iMac. My god, the all-in-one design had its time and place back when people were not so savvy about computers and the Internet, but the design has been milked needlessly for years and the constant, pointless thinning down of things/removal of features and ports may produce a visually impressive product but it's a detriment for desktop machines. Kill the iMac and make a couple high-end Minis. Seems like a no-brainer at this point.
• Multi-user support/app-level passcodes in iOS. This one is a pipe-dream, but I think it's safe to say most people don't use iPads as single-user devices. If not multi-user support, at least a way for the device owner to lock down certain apps with passcodes/facial recognition. I'd like my kids to be able to use my iPad to play games or watch videos, but not to get into my Dropbox or mess with any financial or work stuff.
New iPad mini using 2nd generation Pencil.
Still waiting for an updated Intel MacBook Pro 16-inch without fan issues when using external monitor.
Still waiting for an updated Intel MacBook Pro 16-inch without fan issues when using external monitor.
The only thing I want is an iPhone with both FaceID and TouchID, preferably incorporated into the screen or on the power button as it is on the new iPad Air. I loved FaceID right up until I had to wear a mask everywhere and it suddenly became a pain in my ***.