What to Expect From Apple's September 7 Event

[aloshka]

The nMP? They were outdated the day they shipped. I could have ordered a half dozen immediately, if they met our needs; the guy down the hall ordered a half dozen oMP refurbs that day, he wishes he'd ordered more, but he's ready to upgrade again, and he's not even looking at Apple. All of his 3D Apps will run fine on PCs.

That's one thing I noticed as well. Apple can't use the whole "our software is better", because pretty much everything they have has an alternative on the PC. I recently even found one for iMovie.

When people want a workstation, all they care about getting what they need, and if Apple can't supply it, they find alternatives. You can't hand them a watchband.

For all my other clients this is absolutely true. Dell Precision has been very popular. A lot of these folks also seem to want consumer graphics cards sometimes (I don't know much about graphic work, so not sure why), but everything Apple in the GFX department is really bad. Especially the outdated Mac Pro cards.

No offense, but unless the companies you procured these for were heavily into FCPX, you were tossing their money down the drain.

The CEO of this company drank too much koolaid. He didn't care there were alternatives and I didn't even get him a chance to quote out anything else for him. I don't think he cared much about software for his employees as much as that they had apple. And back in those days, people were pretty excited about the new MP. Maybe a status symbol of the company, I don't know honestly. I also think they trashed their money. If anything, I kind of think they would have been fine with iMac 5k's. But this is why I made the really crude statement (probably inappropriate too) which is if Tim Cook sh..ts in a box, people will stand in line and buy it.

But here is the kicker. I'm on an outdated rMBP, and I really want the next edition. I don't know what the appeal of Apple is. I still blindly like their stuff. And if iPhone 7 is waterproof and they did something cool with the home button, i"m sold and like an idiot, will pre order one... like everyone else.

 

[George Dawes]

It's like they've given up on the mac line completely...

Be nice if they let us mugs know wouldn't it ??

 

[BvizioN]

You heard it here first.

Image brought to you by angry lovers of the ancient 3.5mm headphone jack

 

[doelcm82]

But here is the kicker. I'm on an outdated rMBP, and I really want the next edition. I don't know what the appeal of Apple is. I still blindly like their stuff. And if iPhone 7 is waterproof and they did something cool with the home button, i"m sold and like an idiot, will pre order one... like everyone else.

I know what the appeal is for me. I like the more or less seamless integration across apple products. When I visit a website on my iPhone and need to log in, the password (which I saved on my MBP) is there for me. All my photos on all my devices. Enter an appointment anywhere and it shows up everywhere. Now with iOS 10 and macOS Sierra, I can copy on my computer and paste on my iPhone (so far not as quick or reliable as I'd prefer, but I expect it to get better--it's still in beta). Handoff. Answering a phone call on my MBP, or my iPad, or even my Apple Watch, when the phone is out of reach. Airplay to my Apple TV. Apple Pay on my phone or Watch and soon on my MBP. Find My iPhone. Find My Friends. And all of this is pretty much default behavior.

I could probably duplicate most or all of this on other devices by collecting the right set of utilities and configuring them carefully. And it's not perfect, but it does seem to get better with each year's release of OS updates.

I also know that the reason I switched to Mac in the first place (Windows in the early 21st Century was a nightmare, and Apple just worked) may not hold true any more, but to switch any of my devices out would mean bringing in something that just doesn't play well with all the rest of my stuff.

The future is likely to be even more integrated, and I'll be able to operate my automated home (not yet built) using the Home app on my iPad or iPhone or Apple Watch or Apple TV. So far, I don't see myself getting an Apple car, but only because I don't yet know what an Apple car will look like or what it will do. (I have a Tesla Model 3 reserved, so that will be my next car.) Once we have details on what, if anything, Apple will contribute to personal transportation I'll see how that fits my life.

 

[BvizioN]

Tim Cook, "I have heard that a lot of you have iPhone 6 and 6 Plus with touch diseases".

Were are people exactly getting this new rumor?

 

[smacrumon]

Definitely feels that way! Still hoping for some sort of "wow" factor but this isn't the same Apple as years past. They seem to be releasing materials on a "just get by" mentality, instead of pushing the envelope.

Push that envelope, Apple!

 

[tubeexperience]

Were are people exactly getting this new rumor?

That's what Tim Cook might say.

 

[BvizioN]

That's what Tim Cook might say.

If that's your answer then it explains a lot.

 

[Larry-K]

The CEO of this company drank too much koolaid. He didn't care there were alternatives and I didn't even get him a chance to quote out anything else for him. I don't think he cared much about software for his employees as much as that they had apple. And back in those days, people were pretty excited about the new MP. Maybe a status symbol of the company, I don't know honestly. I also think they trashed their money. If anything, I kind of think they would have been fine with iMac 5k's. But this is why I made the really crude statement (probably inappropriate too) which is if Tim Cook sh..ts in a box, people will stand in line and buy it.

I feel your pain.

I had a client back in the day, that had about a half dozen management types who always needed the newest Mac, and when the Cube came out they were all smitten with it.

Six cubes later they were all in love for about two weeks, but after they dragged everybody into their offices to try to impress them, they lost interest. One guy kept pilling junk on his, and then he'd get upset when it shut off and he'd lose work (couldn't have lost that much). Those things are still floating around their offices, and nobody knows what they are.

Apple is still good at making desirable objects and marketing them as such, but at some point the iPhone won't be cool (happens to everything sooner or later) and all I can say is "Sell Short".

Anyway, a BigBox Mac with all the toppings would certainly get my wallet open, but I think those days are past, and I'll forge on for a bit with my reliable oMPs. Much as I like OSX, I used to like it a lot more, El Capitan is a POS for Pre-Press (never thought I'd look back fondly on Mavericks), and when they finally turn everything into iOS, I'm jumping ship.

Looks like HP is starting to at least enter the design conversation with some of their offerings, maybe they'll be cool for a while, or maybe they'll start making phones, you never know.

 

[Jimrod]

So everything on this big list is insignificant; what would rise to that magic level?

Everything on your list is standard electronic advancement, as every other OEM does with their products every year. Faster, more efficient, better cameras etc etc etc. Nothing rumoured about the iP7 is exciting, it's all iterative and in some cases (removing useful features) negative. Plenty of phones are also waterproof, they all still have the 3.5mm jack socket too so it's not a valid reason for removal.

You can keep saying that people will buy in the 100's of millions - it doesn't take a rocket scientist to see that, what many of those with "Rose gold" tinted glasses will miss is that the non-fanboy, the people who bought into Apple because of how great, how beautiful and how well their products worked (people like me) are gradually getting more disillusioned with the less impressive design, the more convoluted and buggy software, the lack of advancement while other companies are offering ever more and ever better alternatives. As people like me start to move away we stop recommending Apple wholeheartedly to our friends and families, it'll take time but Apple do look to be declining - you think it can't happen but then many a massive company made the mistake of getting complacent in the past too...

The ever increasing number of people like me moaning about Apple here (you must see it) don't hate Apple, we like Apple, we want to stay with Apple, but we won't mindlessly buy products forever if it looks like Apple themselves aren't even trying any more.

 

[The Mad Hatter]

ugh. From the very same wikipedia link:

Operating system:
1st: Apple TV software 3.0.2
Based on Mac OS X 10.4
Released February 10, 2010
2nd: Apple TV software 6.2.1 (6698.99.19)
Based on iOS 7.1.2
Released June 30, 2014
3rd and 3rd Rev A: Apple TV software 7.2.1
Based on iOS 8.4.1
Released February 25, 2016
4th: tvOS 9.2
Released March 21, 2016

Not that the age of a device has any direct correlation to its operating system number anyway—I'm pretty sure both Windows and OS X are considerably older than 10 years—but you'll notice "tvOS" began at 9.2, which is the absurdity I was trying to point out. Even more is the fact that no Apple TV predating the ATV4, which is less than a year old, can even run tvOS, so pointing out the age of the device has even less bearing on the OS numbering scheme than it otherwise might have.

So, just because they changed the name from iOS to tvOS they were supposed to start renumbering? They didn't do it when they switched from ATV1 to the ATV2 (Mac OS based to iOS based). It's called progression. Changes in hardware doesn't necessarily mean they need to change the numbering of its software. Just look at the Mac switch-up. Motorola to Intel ... they didn't start renumbering the OS. It went from OS 9 to Mac OS X.

So what's your point?

 

[Sandybox]

Funny, but obviously could never happen. Tim Cook is definitely not motivated by money.

In which case, with money off the table as a motivator, what excuse does he have for such a stale product line?

 

[Dave245]

So removing the headphone jack isn't pushing the envelope enough for you? If they wanted to just get by they would keep the camera, antenna, modem, battery, speakers, CPU, GPU all the same as last years model. And those are just the things we can be sure they are upgrading.
[doublepost=1472879563][/doublepost]
You'll see and you'll want one just like everyone else.

Totally agree, I don't think it looks the same anyway, sure it has the same shape, But it's not like it's identical to the 6s, I'm sure when Apple get up on that stage and announce the iPhone 7's features, what it can do and how good the new camera and dual lens system are. People will be buying them, Apple will sell millions and pre-orders will be a pain because they will sell out fast, just like previous years.

 

[Sandybox]

Sure they are. Record amount of cash on hand, huge increases in R&D spending on future unknown products, lots of key acquisitions, hiring of top personnel in various industries (like automotive) and they even beat Wall Street last quarter and saw their shares rise 12%. Even the "bad news" in Ireland hasn't caused their stock to drop. In fact, it's slightly up.

Yup, they're on the decline all right.
[doublepost=1472864922][/doublepost]

That's an understatement. Nobody can touch Apple engineers when it comes to designing ARM processors. Not even ARM is as good.

So when do we ever get to see the output and returns from spending all that shareholder cash? The stocks up because its a safe payer of dividends woth a share buyback plan and is currently undervalued compared to peers. You would have thought even a small amount of that r&d cash would have resulted in some significant improvements to the mac lineup?

 

[2499723]

Tim Cook: "We've got a very special series of announcements today and products we think you're gonna love."

Me: "Yawwwwwwn"

 

[patent10021]

Definitely feels that way! Still hoping for some sort of "wow" factor but this isn't the same Apple as years past.

Come on now. You know there will never be a wow factor without SJ.

 

[truthertech]

Everything on your list is standard electronic advancement, as every other OEM does with their products every year. Faster, more efficient, better cameras etc etc etc. Nothing rumoured about the iP7 is exciting, it's all iterative and in some cases (removing useful features) negative. Plenty of phones are also waterproof, they all still have the 3.5mm jack socket too so it's not a valid reason for removal.

You can keep saying that people will buy in the 100's of millions - it doesn't take a rocket scientist to see that, what many of those with "Rose gold" tinted glasses will miss is that the non-fanboy, the people who bought into Apple because of how great, how beautiful and how well their products worked (people like me) are gradually getting more disillusioned with the less impressive design, the more convoluted and buggy software, the lack of advancement while other companies are offering ever more and ever better alternatives. As people like me start to move away we stop recommending Apple wholeheartedly to our friends and families, it'll take time but Apple do look to be declining - you think it can't happen but then many a massive company made the mistake of getting complacent in the past too...

The ever increasing number of people like me moaning about Apple here (you must see it) don't hate Apple, we like Apple, we want to stay with Apple, but we won't mindlessly buy products forever if it looks like Apple themselves aren't even trying any more.

When Apple spends over $20 Billion dollars on R&D in just the past two years, more than just about every other company in the world, it's hard to fathom your conclusion that "they aren't even trying anymore. " Beyond that though, you still haven't said what Apple would have to add to this year's phone to be, in your words, "significant" and not just "standard electronic advancement." What would show you that they haven't given up and "are still trying?"

 

[TheGenerous]

Have many of you ever eaten at Bur-gur King?
Is it popular among your peers? Is it. . . enjoyed?

 

[netwalker]

The Skylake chipsets most likely destined for the 15" MBP have only seen the light of day in the very recent Intel Skull Lake Canyon NUC and are not shipping in any laptop yet. Skylake is a family of chips that are released over a period of time. Likewise the Skylake Xeons come out next year, etc.

So, my guess is that it's very hard to put in a new chip that's not available.

Then wait with that until next year and give us the available technologies this year (e.g. Thunderbolt 3, USB-C,...).
[doublepost=1472889052][/doublepost]

The nMP? They were outdated the day they shipped. I could have ordered a half dozen immediately, if they met our needs; the guy down the hall ordered a half dozen oMP refurbs that day

Friends at a video production company are also buying old Mac Pros and upgrade them. Outperforms a maxed out new Mac Pro and costs significantly less.

 

[MacHiavelli]

So many people add keyboards to their iPads, trying to make them into laptops.

If Apple can produce an ARM-based OS that accepts trackpad input, a lot of people will be very happy to buy ARM-based MacBooks. They don't want or need Intel chips.

Far better for Apple to make a single OS and a raft of applications that work across all devices, rather than maintaining two tightly knitted but discrete OSes.

Apple would have greater product control if it dumps Intel chips, and users would have a seamless experience across devices.

I think it is very likely Apple will dump Intel next week or in the next month. Apple has had enough time to produce an ARM chip suitable for MacBooks.

The fingerprint sensor rumoured for the next MacBooks needs an ARM enclave. The writing is on the wall.

 

[George Dawes]

We've got SO MUCH to show you , but first here's Eddie Cue dancing ( badly ) with a load of airheads to some awful muzak for the next 2 hours

Sorry , maybe next time

 

[OllyW]

Apple would have greater product control if it dumps Intel chips, and users would have a seamless experience across devices.

While ARM would be adequate for a lot of people, what about the Mac users who need the extra processing power on offer from Intel chips?

 

[BrodieApple]

They seemed to indicate it was product/service related. Happened at 54:11:

Walt: ...aaand there's a possibility of another surprise
Nilay: Yeah. I've heard some whispers of this other surprise as well
Walt: I can't reveal my source...haha

Then they moved right along. Who knows?

Interesting. Thanks I listened to it. They confirmed it wasn't the Watch or the iPhone, so it could be MacBooks, and if its not that I truly will be surprised.
[doublepost=1472890318][/doublepost]

Oh for crying out loud, please Apple stop with the phones and watches. Make this event all about the Macbook Pro.

iPhone is their biggest source of profit, and theyre trying to grow the Watch.
I do agree with you but the iPhones and watches aren't gonna stop anytime soon

 

[1041958]

So when do we ever get to see the output and returns from spending all that shareholder cash? The stocks up because its a safe payer of dividends woth a share buyback plan and is currently undervalued compared to peers. You would have thought even a small amount of that r&d cash would have resulted in some significant improvements to the mac lineup?

When Apple decides to release it - that's when you'll see the results of their R&D.

Apple isn't like Google - always bragging about what they're working on and talking about vaporware that we might see in a few years (or never). Like Google Glass. Or Project Ara. Or their self driving cars that every auto manufacturer is working on but uneducated people think Google invented just because they're always promoting it while others are keeping their projects a secret.

Apple isn't going to change how they do things so there's no point in complaining about it.

 

[MacHiavelli]

While ARM would be adequate for a lot of people, what about the Mac users who need the extra processing power on offer from Intel chips?

1. Apple wants a lot of people. I doubt it will mind losing some Intel Luddites.

2. We don't know how powerful a laptop or desktop ARM chip by Apple might be.

3. Steve said that to make great products, Apple needed to own the silicon.

4. We've seen apps such as Pages, Numbers, etc be rewritten to be iOS-like.

5. We've seen Apple push the iPad/iOS platform as the only computer a consumer will need.

I think everything points to Apple moving away from Intel. Greater economy, greater control, one OS, one set of applications, one App Store for users and developers, etc, etc, etc. It all makes good business sense. It all makes for a better user experience. Millions of people own iPhones and iPads without owning Macs. Make ARM-based Macs more affordable by not having to pay for Intel chips, and Apple can drive a stake through the heart of Windows and the Intel years.

If you were an iPhone or iPad user who owned a Windows machine, would you not be enticed to buy a Mac that could run all your iPhone and iPad apps without having to pay for them again? No additional setup needed: buy the Mac, log in, and everything is there for you without spending another penny with MS, etc.