What's Coming From Apple in 2015: Apple Watch, iPad Pro, iPhone 6s, 12-Inch MacBook and More

[Frankl2]

Laptop Productivity

I keep hearing that a 12 inch MacAir will combine the portability of the 11" MacAir and the productivity of the 13" MacAir. I have an 11" MacAir. My wife has a 13" MacAir. Both are highly portable but saying that one allows more productivity than the other reads like a product from the fevered brain of an advertising copy writer.

 

[andiwm2003]

As a long time Appletard, I'm getting off the bandwagon in 2015.

I have no faith that their software will get better since everything they released in the last year has contained truly awful UI changes that took AWAY features instead of adding to them (like iTunes and iMovie) and the hardware has been getting progressively worse all for the sake of thinness. My iPhone 6 and iPad Air barely have functional WiFi.

All I wanted was an upgraded MacMini and they totally gimped that machine and the AppleTV clearly isn't made for HD Streaming as I can barely stream HD Content on a consistent basis because it's constantly stuck in Buffering Hell or it'll take 4 hours "before content is ready to play." I'm sick of their arrogance and making excuses for my expensive, barely functioning purchases.

It's like, let's all just ignore how crappy and substandard Apple's product line up has truly become, just because it looks pretty and it's expensive. The sad thing, the Windows side ain't much better, I can't stand Windows 8 and now Windows laptops are getting just as expensive and featureless as Apple's (primarily because everyone looks to them as the "leader.")

Current state of the industry is overall just crappy. Charge a LOT more for a LOT less and just say ooooh, look at how "thin" and "light" it is.

One of the best summaries of the current situation. Sad but true.

 

[wizard]

Blowing the iPhone up.... putting lipstick and only a few innovative features out (air drop, hand off, etc) really fails to me to be innovation at Apple.

This is only because you don't understand what innovation is. For example "A8" literally made the thin iPhones possible, that is innovation as nothing else on the market comes close performance wise.

Beyond that Apple has cemented the concept of a smart phone. As such the product will evolve from here on out, things like air drop, hand off and the like are part of that evolution. They are intact innovation too, but due to having already defined the platform they are not earth shaking innovation like the release of the first iPad.

It was another year of more of the same. Shrinking things does not count, and that's all they've done. Something new or exciting in 2015 please.

Actually they made the iPhone bigger even if many of us don't want a bigger iPhone. The thing here is I have to ask when seeing such comments, is what do you expect to see? Apple has pretty much got personal computing wrapped up with iPhone, iPad and the Macs. So what do you want to see Apple move into technology wise?

My answer to that would be robotics but I also understand that there is probably another ten years of development to take place before robots are really useful. Given that an Apple 2 equivalent robotics wise would be nice. Something that would hang around for a few years to get the industry going and more importantly grab people attention.

Other than that I can't think of anything that would be any more than "more of the same" so what do you want to see Apple get into.

 

[peterdevries]

The thing here is I have to ask when seeing such comments, is what do you expect to see? Apple has pretty much got personal computing wrapped up with iPhone, iPad and the Macs. So what do you want to see Apple move into technology wise?

This is a question that I have asked here multiple times, but no-one seems to be able to answer. Many people demand innovation and breakthrough products but are unable to come up with any sensible idea for a new device.

The reason is clear: the personal computing market is mature and in terms of technology stagnating. Nothing wrong with that, but it is difficult for incumbent firms to move nowadays in new segments because they have all been opened.

Apple is now entering the (possibly) final segment with smartwatches and will subsequently probably move into medical devices. That is a lateral segments that shows tremendous growth and consumer need.

But that won't satisfy the majority here. They need a new consumer grade device, a breakthrough disruptive product. What they fail to realise is that in the consumer space most current needs are and can be fulfilled with current technology.

 

[kazmac]

Count me in as another who wants Apple to slow down with their software updates.

I'll watch the computer releases carefully as usual. Anything else, just not for me.

 

[wizard]

So much non sense.

An accurate assessment.

Nope more of an assessment that was made looking through a pin hole.

When (and not if) the AppleWatch fails ..it will either be the wake up call or the break up for Apple as it is now.

You can't be serious. I personally don't expect AppleWatch to be the massive hit many expect it to be. However even if it fails miserably it won't lead to a break up of Apple.

By the way the big problem with Apples watch isn't the concept so much as it is having all the technology available to really pull it off well. As such I look at the first rev as a proof of concept if you will just as the first IPad was at best a proof of concept. It isn't the Apple Watch of 2015 that will define the platform but rather what they can put into the watch 3-5 years from now.

They HAVE to realise that shoving out resized iPhones is NOT innovation any more. Their only "new"product will be the doomed AppleWatch that was a solution to something nobody had a problem with.

It is innovation even if you don't want to accept it as such. Just Apples ability to push the "A" series processors so far forward is major innovation. Innovation that frankly nobody else has managed to match.

As for completey new products, in all honesty do you really expect to know about all new products Apple has under development? If Apple can introduce a completely new product every 5 years the are doing good. Further I've yet to hear from anybody whining in these forums what that new product might be.

But. Sometimes historically speaking ... Even the mighty need a reality check to realise finally ... that even they are fallible. Let Apple take the hit in 2015.

They are coming off a massive success in the iPhone 6 lineup so I don't expect them to take a massive hit. They might have trouble with iPhone 6s/7 but that will likely be only because everybody and their brother already has an iPhone 6.

Scrap the concept. Admit they have to take stock and let's be the market leaders again.

I look at iWatch as a long term product. Apple knows full well that there are parts of the watch that people won't like, the short battery life being one of them. Like all things Apple though you can expect continuous improvements to come in the follow on years.

 

[andiwm2003]

This is a question that I have asked here multiple times, but no-one seems to be able to answer. Many people demand innovation and breakthrough products but are unable to come up with any sensible idea for a new device........

Hum, no.

There are plenty ideas on this site in many threads for improved devices. Apple just doesn't want to do them because they are obsessed with form over function.

 

[robbyx]

What if the iPad pro and the new 12inch Macbook are the same thing?

That's what I've been thinking too. Maybe they're not waiting for Intel either. Maybe it will be A-powered.

 

[X38]

Yes, not a lot of room to innovate now, its all been done. The complainers here want innovation though.

Sure... And nobody will ever need more than 256k RAM.

The only time there's not a lot of room to innovate is when you run out of imagination. Which usually happens right before you get passed by somebody who hasn't.

 

[wizard]

Am I the only one who read that first paragraph and the bolded sentence, and then couldn't stop laughing?

Only a complete idiot would have laughed at that line. Apple delivered a very broad array of new products and services this year (well last year now). People can play dumb about it all they want but in the end it doesn't say anything good at all about that person.

 

[TripleCore]

I agree, I miss the 'Pro'fessionalness of older Apple products, iOS is great, but the 'dumbing down' of some of the professional apps and products is really frustrating. As they try to appeal to the more average consumers they're pushing away their pro users who spend thousands of dollars on their products.

Examples would be iWork, Final Cut etc. All being made "easier" to use.

This is exactly my frustration! They killed off iPhoto and Aperture (before releasing a new replacement? How stupid). Photos could turn out to be anything at this point. I decided not to wait and bought a third-party app to sort my photos. I would have been happy to give Apple my money, but I don't get a clear idea of their direction, but it points to what you said--dumbing down of products.

 

[Mtmspa]

One of the best summaries of the current situation. Sad but true.

Nope, just one person's opinion that you agree with.

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This is exactly my frustration! They killed off iPhoto and Aperture (before releasing a new replacement? How stupid). Photos could turn out to be anything at this point. I decided not to wait and bought a third-party app to sort my photos. I would have been happy to give Apple my money, but I don't get a clear idea of their direction, but it points to what you said--dumbing down of products.

I still use iPhoto, so they do have a product.

 

[peterdevries]

Hum, no.

There are plenty ideas on this site in many threads for improved devices. Apple just doesn't want to do them because they are obsessed with form over function.

You missed my point. What you are referring to are incremental innovations to existing devices. Indeed that is asked here a lot, but what Apple is also doing all the time. Look at the Retina iMac, iPhone 6 etc.

What most people here demand are disruptive innovations. I.e. innovations of the calibre of a whole new product category. And the likelihood of those appearing regular are very slim if you understand a little bit about business and market lifecycle.

 

[wizard]

None of those things you mentioned are innovations. They are tiny incremental improvements on existing products. Wow, a 5.5 inch phone! Welcome to 2009, Apple.

Actually that is innovation! The new display in the iMac isn't even possible without innovation to make the screen possible.

And nonsense like Apple pay and car play don't do it for me.

That is fine but that does not mean it isn't innovation! This is what people don't seem to understand, innovation isn't about what they want personally, it is about bringing new products and services to the marketplace. Not everybody will want those products and services but that does not mean they aren't innovation.

You may not have a personal need for Apple Pay but it is innovation and more so it will be huge for Apple. More so the impact of something like Apple Pay isn't instant as it needs to be developed over time.

Android has had NFC payment for ages.

They have had nothing like Apple Pay so you have no point at all here.

I'm glad somebody is excited about that stuff, but I'm sure not.

That is your problem, but you can't sit here in this forum and say things like this and look like you have a good handle on reality. By the way in 2014 I bought nothing Apple related so it isn't like I'm a fan boy or have an uncontrollable desire to buy Apple products. It does give me a chance to sit back and see what they have offered the world in 2014. Frankly it was a lot of stuff that few other companies have come close to matching.

Will they get me to buy something in 2015 - probably, but that will be due to need and hopefully something really compelling. If it wasn't for other factors I would have purchased in 2014 as there are a number of very impressive products delivered in 2014 if one is willing to actually look at how they have been improved.

 

[manu chao]

Apple: We MUST make thinner.
Us: No, you MUST increase battery life!

Battery lasting two solid days. Make phone thicker. Not.

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Eddy Cue only has half a day left to deliver on his "later this year, we've got the best product pipeline I've seen in my 25 years" promise

Product pipeline does not equal products-being-released-this-year. It means products probably being released within the next several years.

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There will always be bugs in software, though basics like Wifi that keeps dropping In your range of products that no longer have Ethernet Connections, when updating the OS is kinda poor.

Can you name a year when people did not complain about WiFi problems with Apple products?

 

[bigchief]

Customer ratings for Yosemite is two and a half stars in the app store. Is this not embarrassing to the employees at Apple?

 

[Brian Buttplug]

No new iPods expected?

I feel your pain, man.
I have an ancient iPod classic, the one with the HDD, 64 GB I think?

It lives in my car, but it does not like winter. When the temp goes below .. say 5 degrees (C), it stops working.
I need to place it on my thighs and when it's finally warm enough to work again it starts playing ABBA!

I really don't like ABBA

Happy new year!

-Brian


edit: spelling

 

[manu chao]

The iWatch looks very first gen, and that's not a compliment. You just know the 2nd gen will be at least half as thin, making the 1st gen one look like a total embarrassment to walk around with (sorta like those balding dudes still driving around their 1985 Ferrari).

If the iWatch looks like 1st gen, what do the first four generations of Samsung smart watches look like?

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Apple Watch with barely one day battery and thick as a brick? I'll pass

How many people passed on the original iPod and the original iPhone, as a percentage of Mac users (or Mac + iPod users for the latter)?

 

[wizard]

I'm still undecided on the watch. I've always wanted every product that Apple came out with

Seriously why would you want every product that Apple has come out with?

but I think I need to see one in person to decide if I want one. Anyone else feel the same or are people really hot for it?

At this point I don't care. I might have an interest in the future if they can upgrade it to monitor blood sugar. That is due to being a diabetic and such a watch solving a real problem for me. Otherwise I have no desire to wear a watch.

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Same here. Sometimes I think that people just like to complain about bugs without really having a specific problem. The ones that bug me a little are the people who think they're SO smart by saying they're not updating to iOS 8 until 8.1 or Mac OS X 10.10.1 (or whatever) because of all the bugs.

Actually I've been signed up as a developer at Apple for awhile now and I can honestly say that the last round of final releases have been pretty bad bug wise. The performance regressions have also been ugly. In both cases waiting actually saw vastly improved OS releases so maybe these people know something you don't #. In a more general sense, with just about any OS, it is usually a good idea not to jump into an upgrade without thought.

 

[MacBH928]

I really can't think of anything Apple should do to the iphone 6. Its already too thin, too powerful, too beautiful. The only thing I can think of is RAM upgrades and more storage.

As for iOS...
this thing can take serious work... there are a lot of areas you can improve on. And bugs... lots of bugs...

I had to format my iphone just to get the cell signal working again and I never jail-breka

 

[manu chao]

Apple knows best. You will take what they send you and like it. The world revolves around Apple. NOT!!!

Apple's success must really be based on them having access to the water supply.

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I'm waiting for new AirportExpress. About time for it...

Maybe the AppleTV is the AirportExpress replacement (aka feeding audio wirelessly)?

 

[bluush]

If the iWatch looks like 1st gen, what do the first four generations of Samsung smart watches look like?

No idea, I don't buy Samsung watches nor do I know what they look like. We are discussing Apple products in this thread and the Apple watch looks terrible.

 

[Serban]

the 5k makes the desktop redefined the category . i love it because with the performance stagnating in the last 2-3 years this is the next big thing like was in the days when SSD came on the market

 

[manu chao]

One thing I like about AppleInsider over MacRumors is that they go out on a limb and add some editorial content. Yes, a bit over the top fan-boish, but at least it's new content.

The reason I stopped reading Appleinsider in favour of Macrumors was exactly that over-the-top fanboyism, at some point it really starts to insult your intelligence.

 

[Serban]

No idea, I don't buy Samsung watches nor do I know what they look like. We are discussing Apple products in this thread and the Apple watch looks terrible.

like luxury watches is all about the materials and (well mechanism but doesnt apply in a smartwatch) like many luxury watches are ugly for some people its about a preferential choice
maybe in 3 years we will have from 3 designs to choose.