What's Next for Apple in 2014: iWatch, Larger iPhone 6, 12.9-inch iPad Pro

[Mago]

[url=http://cdn.macrumors.com/im/macrumorsthreadlogodarkd.png]Image[/url]


Over the course of 2013, Apple released a number of exciting new products, including the radically redesigned Mac Pro, a thinner and lighter iPad Air, and an iPhone with cutting edge fingerprint recognition technology.

2014 will likely bring even more innovation to Apple's product lineup, with current rumors hinting at highly anticipated products like the Apple smart watch, a larger iPhone and iPad, and new developments with the Apple TV. A number of these products have been rumored for some time, but the spate of Apple product releases over the past few months and the imminent turning of the calendar offers a chance to bring those rumors back to the forefront.

According to Apple CEO Tim Cook, Apple has plans to create "great products" in areas the company does not participate in today, and in a recent email, Cook told Apple employees that there's a lot in store for Apple in 2014, "including some big plans that we think customers are going to love."

In the list below, we've highlighted Apple's prospective 2014 product plans, outlining what customers might see from Apple in the next 12 months based on current rumors.

Don't rely on Cook promises, its boring.

iPhone 6
Apple's next iPhone is rumored to come equipped with a larger screen size, somewhere between 4.7 and 5.7 inches. Some rumors have suggested that Apple might release the phone in two separate sizes, both of which are larger than the current 4-inch iPhone 5s/5c.

ImageLeft to right: iPhone 5, Galaxy S III, "iPhone Plus", Galaxy Note II (Source: Marco Arment)​

The larger iPhone, which will likely incorporate a faster 20-nanometer A8 chip from TSMC, may also include sweeping design changes in the form of a curved display. While it is possible Apple will release an updated iPhone earlier in the year, the most likely release target for the larger-screened device is September or October.

Seems you forgot the old dog habits, to sell old year phone as "entry level" phone.

So, notwhitstanding the iPhone 6 form factor, the "entry level" iphone will be the iPhone 5S (with 5c case, maybe named the "iPhone 5cs").

an specification bump on the iPhone 6 (or whatever is named), points directly to the screen size, also Apple patents suggest the fingerprint scanner may found new uses, or learn new tricks as gestures, and precission cursor control, smart covers (ala Galaxy S4/Note3) are very likely, but screen size will be the main "differentiation" factor.

Read full roundup for iPhone 6

iPad Pro
Along with a larger iPhone, Apple may be planning to add a larger iPad to its current tablet lineup, which comprises the 9.7-inch iPad Air and the 7.9-inch iPad mini. The "iPad Pro" or "iPad Maxi" as it has been called by the media, is rumored to include a larger 12.9-inch display, which would be most similar in size to the current 13.3-inch MacBook Air.

ImageMockup of the 12.9-inch iPad next to a 13-inch MacBook Air​

The display reportedly offers higher pixel density nearing ultra high-definition quality and it will likely adopt many of the design elements offered in the current iPads, like an ultrathin chassis and narrow side bezels. Aside from a larger screen size, not much is known about Apple's larger iPad, and it is unclear when such a product might be released.

Respectfully I consider the iPad Pro a Bluff, no body wants such device, if some prototype was built, was as provision to the imminent launch from samsung of such oversized Tablet.

What we surely see is: FingerPrint ID on the refreshed iPads, other spec upgrades.

iWatch
Apple's much-anticipated "iWatch," which was a major rumor focal point in 2013, will likely be released in 2014. According to rumors, the smart watch will primarily function as an accessory to the iPhone and the iPad, providing at-a-glance access to common iOS functions.

The watch may also include a multitude of biometric functions, possibly offering a pedometer and heart rate monitor, among other things, and it could also serve as a home automation hub. While it is entirely unclear what the iWatch will look like, rumors have indicated that it could have an OLED display in the range of 1.3 to 1.7 inches, possibly coming in multiple sizes for a customized fit.

Apple's iWatch may incorporate an ultra durable sapphire glass screen, as the company recently signed a deal with GT Advanced to ramp up sapphire glass production. Rumors have also hinted at a flexible, curved design.
Over the course of 2013, Apple ramped up its work on the iWatch, with a team of 100 product designers working on the project. The company also filed for iWatch trademarks in multiple countries throughout 2013.

Currently, Apple's iWatch is expected to debut during the second half of 2014.

Read full roundup for iWatch

Current smart watches shown the way to follow and apple is learning from Peebble,Samsung,Sony ERRORS on their smart watches pointing to offer something really special, Apple may acquire Pebble.

Apple Television
Apple has been long rumored to be making some upgrades to its Apple TV, either in the form of a revamped set top box with additional functionality or a full blown television set. It is unclear what Apple will do in the television arena in 2014, however, as rumors have suggested that the company has shelved its TV plans for the time being in order to focus on wearables like the iWatch. Television remains an area of "intense interest" for Apple, according to Tim Cook.

If Apple does release a television-related product in 2014, it will likely be a new set top box that could bundle key features like an App Store and Siri, along with additional content offerings.

Apple's UNICORN, READ: NO APPLE TV IN 2014,2015,2016...2200

In 2013, Apple worked hard to beef up content offerings, adding several new channels, including WatchESPN, HBO GO, Vevo, Yahoo Screen, and PBS. The company is also said to be in talks with cable provider Time Warner and a deal with that company, as well as other improvements in content, could come in 2014.

Improving content and reaching deals with various cable companies and content providers is a necessary step before Apple can make headway in the television industry.

Read full roundup for Apple TV

BTW iTV is an key product on Apple's line, so dealing content for it (not the Apple TV) its a must. Lets see just another small evolution on apple iTV, maybe moved to an Dongle-Like device as the GoogleCast.

4K Display
Many people believed Apple would introduce a new Thunderbolt Display alongside the Mac Pro, as it has been two years since the last Thunderbolt Display update. No new display appeared, but it is possible that the company will debut a new display product in 2014, likely offering a 4K resolution of 4096 or 3840 x 2160 pixels.

In late 2013, Apple supplier AU Optronics introduced new 27 and 32-inch 4K display panels, sparking speculation that revamped Thunderbolt Displays were on the horizon, though concrete information on a new display or a possible release date is unavailable at the current point in time. In lieu of a 4K Thunderbolt Display, Apple is offering a 4K 32-inch Sharp display as an add-on to the Mac Pro.

Read full roundup for Apple Displays

Facts: ASUS and Dell offered the same 27"panel on the ThunderboltDisplay, now they announced soon a 27" 4K display, so its very factible the next ThunderboltDisplay to be 4K w/o USB ports or 2nd TB port.

Other updates: iOS 8, OS X 10.10, MacBooks, and More
As it does every year, Apple will undoubtedly offer refreshed MacBooks over the course of 2014. Recently, a rumor has suggested that a 12-inch MacBook with a MacBook Air-style design and a Retina display could make its debut in the middle of 2014, and other incremental updates to products like the Retina MacBook Pro will come as well.

Apple has several products that have not been refreshed for quite some time, including its lineup of iPods and the Mac Mini, which could see updates in 2014.

New versions of both iOS and OS X are also expected, though few details are available on the software at this time. iOS 8 may include improvements to Maps, iOS in the Car, and a possible Siri API, while the next version of OS X could take on some iOS 7-style design elements. iOS 8 will probably arrive during the fall along refreshed iPhones, and it is likely that a revamped version of OS X will come during the same general time frame.

Article Link: What's Next for Apple in 2014: iWatch, Larger iPhone 6, 12.9-inch iPad Pro

Mac mini will receive updates, everything points to something like the MacPro just smaller, as the iMac will introduce 4K displays on its 27"model and increase resolution on the 21"model, and offer the last year model as cheaper "entry level" iMacs, new Mac Minis will support 4K displays too.

 

[BillyBobBongo]

...we get it, there's a 'Round Up' category.

 

[cmChimera]

I have no idea who the target market for the iPad Pro would be.

All 5 people that like the Microsoft Surface.

 

[mikecorp]

APPLE TV 60" minimal

I was in a shop today checking out all the 60" smart tvs. I have to say they are all slow and useless. Their baby internet, Skype, program changing is absolutely not worth any money.

I will wish tomorrow something special.

Please change the market once again.

 

[Konrad9]

Repost!

Nothing new here!

Eh, some people might have missed the old story, and those hits won't generate themselves. If there's no content, just re-write some of the old.

 

[mjsanders5uk]

I have no idea who the target market for the iPad Pro would be.

If you could use it as a proper monitor (thunderbolt or MDP), id buy two in a heartbeat. Be fantastic as a location monitor for editing where you need extra real estate. In fact I've been after this for ages.

 

[name99]

I don't think Smart watches will ever replace smartphones. The screens on those things are too damn small. Also, the technology isn't quite near for it to induce customers. Perhaps it's a good add-on, but not good enough to convince me to replace my smartphone with it.

NO-ONE (who knows WTF they are talking about) claims that a smartwatch will replace a smart watch. The fact that Samsung went down that path shows that Samsung is populated by idiots, not the future of technology.

An APPLE iWatch will NOT run iOS, it will run some custom tiny OS on custom slow and low power silicon, and it will do only a few things, but will do them well. It will be basically useless if not paired with an iPhone. In return for these limitations, it will NOT have to be recharged every night...

 

[bayz]

Hopefully they'll finally re-introduce the 17" MacBookPro. I'd like to upgrade my laptop, but I don't think I'm willing to downgrade my screen to do it.

 

[Rogifan]

Same comments here. iOS 7 is a usability mess and design mistake. OS X is doing well except for all the rollover and auto-hide bugs in various UI elements. There's no way I could deal with OS X looking like iOS 7. I'm not updating my iPhone to iOS 7, and I won't update to a similarly crappy OS X. If I buy an iPad, I'll be forced to deal with iOS 7, and that's already too much. Jony Ive is clueless about GUI design.

Usability mess? Hyperbole much? Mixpanel has iOS 7 adoption at over 80% now. Apple's developer portal has it at 76%. No way would numbers be that high if it was a mess. Word of mouth alone would keep those percentages down. And while a Ive does have overall responsibility for "human interface" Craig Federighi owns iOS and as far as we know the same people who gave us iOS 1-6 (and worked for Forsta,PLO) UI still work on iOS. I kind of doubt Ive was the only one who had a say on what the new UI would look like. And if he forced software guys to do stuff they didn't want to do no doubt we would have heard about it by now via the rumor mill either because of employees quitting or protesting up the chain (like the rumor mill said engineers did when Dan Riccio took over for Bob Mansfield).

 

[jkichline]

Not going to be $999

BUT, if the new one costs more than $999 I'll still be stuck. Don't know what to do because my 2008 MacPro is too slow for what I do and I've upgraded everything I can already.

I hate to tell you, but a 4K display isn't going to cost $999 given that the Sharp version is retailing for about $3,500. But when they come out with the 4K screen, the current cinema display may go down in price.

 

[SactoGuy18]

Here's what I think will happen:

1. 2014 iPhones--we'll see a second-generation iPhone 5c, but this time with the internals of the iPhone 5s and the Touch ID sensor. We will see an all-new design iPhone 6, now with a display in the 5" range, and the screen may be slightly curved like the LG G Flex phone.

2. 2014 iPads--the iPad Air and iPad mini will get updated internals, including a new A8 system on a chip (SoC). We might also see a new 12.9" iPad, which I'll call iPad Max for now.

3. iWatch--Apple will finally release a "wearable computing" watch using a curved display--possibly with IGZO technology. It will pair with an iPhone or iPad using the Bluetooth LE connection.

4. Apple television set--Apple will finally show their 55", 65" and 75" television sets with essentially an updated version of the Apple TV interface, with full Siri voice control. It will display at Ultra HD (3840 x 2160) resolution using an IGZO display panel, and will incorporate HDMI 2.0 inputs for eventual connection to a disc player that can play back Ultra HD video or a set top box decoding over-air/cable/satellite transmissions of Ultra HD content.

5. iOS 8.0--a refinement on what was developed for iOS 7.0, but will for the first time include display resolution independence. This will allow for the larger-screen iPhone 6 and the iPad Max I mentioned earlier.

The watch and the television set are now viable in 2014 because the technology is finally falling place for cutting-edge products.

 

[LordVic]

Usability mess? Hyperbole much? Mixpanel has iOS 7 adoption at over 80% now. Apple's developer portal has it at 76%. No way would numbers be that high if it was a mess.

Not entirely true.

iOS7 is being forced on most users. Devices with sufficient space are being forced to download the hefty 3.5GB download, that is not deletable unless you upgrade.

Many are also being nagged to constantly install. Many will just click "yes" to do so anyways not knowing the difference.

Adoption rate of a mostly forced update is not the best metric to judge satisfaction of that update, especially when there is no ability to downgrade.

I dont think there is any measurable statistic available to show satisfaction factor with iOS7. at least none that have been published.

 

[name99]

I have no idea who the target market for the iPad Pro would be.

Anybody who uses the iPad in a "professional" capacity, i.e. for whom the large screen size is more important than being able to throw it in a backpack.
For example: anyone who uses iPad as a store of important documents (lawyers, engineers, doctors, architects, airplane pilots...)

Anyone whose usage model for computing works much better with multitouch than mouse.
For example: much music creation, much video creation, much photo editing and drawing

This will not be a massive seller like the iPad mini, but it's not meant to be. It's meant to shore up the high end, to ensure that people who can afford to buy whatever tool works best for their needs (i.e. the most desirable customers) stay in the Apple camp rather than considering a Win8 or Android device.

(It may also be useful as a way for Apple to prototype new HW in small amounts and iron on the kinks before moving it downstream. For example, it might make sense to move the A7 from the current 28nm process to a 20nm process as a learning experience, with the expectation that yields will, at first, be low --- but enough to satisfy the low expected demand for this device.
Likewise, as SoCs become more variable with smaller features, it's a way to skim off the very best SoCs, the ones that can run that much faster without using too much power, and charge a premium for them rather than "wasting" them in a normal iPad.)

----------

Here's what I think will happen:

1. 2014 iPhones--we'll see a second-generation iPhone 5c, but this time with the internals of the iPhone 5s and the Touch ID sensor. We will see an all-new design iPhone 6, now with a display in the 5" range, and the screen may be slightly curved like the LG G Flex phone.

I have not seen a single review of the LG Flex that considers it more than a pointless gimmick. Apple doesn't do gimmicks. Give a REASON why a curved phone makes sense and then we can talk about whether or not Apple might do it.

And the large iPad will be called the iPad Pro. This is so freaking obvious I don't know why we're even having this discussion.

 

[Eadfrith]

yayyyyy rumours

 

[Tech198]

I can't believe the Rumor mill came up with all that over some speculation.


I can appreciate a rumor, but WOW.....

and some of it isn't even confirmed as a full rumor, its just "there is no real evidence, but based on this, we think this other thing...." kind

This made my day

Now we'll see, most of this is actually wrong......

The iPhone 6 is probably a good one,,, I mean what else would Apple do ? Now its not just a phone that fits in your pocket, it may still be in some pockets but you need to shop around first for that extra baggy jeans.

Whats the deal with calling it the "iPhone Plus" ? iPad Pro ?

Seriously. Apple's running out of names

The Apple Television, maybe we'll see that, 4K ? maybe.....

iOS8, OS X 10.10 .... yep, all true.... Apple released this once a year, why would they stop now ? On the other hand, if this also means more and more integration of iOS in the Mac that can't be disabled, then forget it.

Notifications is already driving me round the bend with popups, you must disable one at a time....

"Helping the user my ass" Annoying the user. yes definitely. That would have been the first thing i would have added when i put in Notifications....

 

[name99]

Not entirely true.

iOS7 is being forced on most users. Devices with sufficient space are being forced to download the hefty 3.5GB download, that is not deletable unless you upgrade.

Many are also being nagged to constantly install. Many will just click "yes" to do so anyways not knowing the difference.

Adoption rate of a mostly forced update is not the best metric to judge satisfaction of that update, especially when there is no ability to downgrade.

I dont think there is any measurable statistic available to show satisfaction factor with iOS7. at least none that have been published.

There is this thing called Google than can actually answer questions like "Are people satisfied with iOS7?"
The results show that you and the rest of the iOS7 whiners are in a small minority, so give it a freaking rest... You are behaving no differently from the idiots that keep going on about how iPhones don't have a replaceable battery and SD card . Apple has indicated its future direction. Either learn to love it, or learn to love Android, because whining is not going to change it, and it's just wasting everyone's time.

see, for example:
http://www.148apps.com/news/ios-7-o...ws-blackberry-phones-user-satisfaction-study/

 

[floling]

i'm so lookin back at the time phones used to get smaller..

 

[Cyloncat]

If you could use [iPad Pro] as a proper monitor (thunderbolt or MDP), id buy two in a heartbeat. Be fantastic as a location monitor for editing where you need extra real estate. In fact I've been after this for ages.

You can do this now with existing iPads. http://avatron.com/apps/air-display/

 

[jkichline]

Typo?

NO-ONE (who knows WTF they are talking about) claims that a smartwatch will replace a smart watch.

Smart watches will definitely not replace smart watches... unless they are from Apple. /s

 

[Sy7ygy]

iPhone 6 - MASSIVE 5 INCH SCREEN FOR ALL OF THE BABIES.

There is no demand for this crap. Please stop putting ideas into their heads. If they want crap; their are plenty of Android devices on the market.

 

[LordVic]

There is this thing called Google than can actually answer questions like "Are people satisfied with iOS7?"
The results show that you and the rest of the iOS7 whiners are in a small minority, so give it a freaking rest... You are behaving no differently from the idiots that keep going on about how iPhones don't have a replaceable battery and SD card . Apple has indicated its future direction. Either learn to love it, or learn to love Android, because whining is not going to change it, and it's just wasting everyone's time.

see, for example:
http://www.148apps.com/news/ios-7-o...ws-blackberry-phones-user-satisfaction-study/

i made no such claim as to it's liked / disliked status.

I made claim that the adoption rate being 80% is not an indicator of satisfication. Especially since the Adoption rate is arguably artificially escalated due to its requirement.

I have no horse in the race. I do not currently own a machine capable of iOS7. Nor do i take particular offence to the new visual cues and styling.

I was just pointing out a logical fallacy that was made about adoption rate = satisfaction.

 

[bushido]

iPhone 6 - MASSIVE 5 INCH SCREEN FOR ALL OF THE BABIES.

There is no demand for this crap. Please stop putting ideas into their heads. If they want crap; their are plenty of Android devices on the market.

obviously there is a demand or else we would still be rocking this tiny 3.5 iPhone tamagochi egg screen size

 

[Rogifan]

Not entirely true.

iOS7 is being forced on most users. Devices with sufficient space are being forced to download the hefty 3.5GB download, that is not deletable unless you upgrade.

Many are also being nagged to constantly install. Many will just click "yes" to do so anyways not knowing the difference.

Adoption rate of a mostly forced update is not the best metric to judge satisfaction of that update, especially when there is no ability to downgrade.

I dont think there is any measurable statistic available to show satisfaction factor with iOS7. at least none that have been published.

Actually I was wrong. Apple developer portal has iOS 7 at 78%.

http://thenextweb.com/insider/2013/...pples-app-store-usage-numbers-ios-6-falls-18/

Also I have several friends who are still running iOS 6 on their iPhone. I was running it on my 3rd gen iPad right up until I sold it when I got my iPad Air. Care to explain how iOS 7 is being "forced" on people any more than iOS 6 or prior iOS updates were?

 

[LordVic]

iPhone 6 - MASSIVE 5 INCH SCREEN FOR ALL OF THE BABIES.

There is no demand for this crap. Please stop putting ideas into their heads. If they want crap; their are plenty of Android devices on the market.

the Millions..> AND MILLLLIONS of people around the world buying larger than 4" phones today would like to argue that.

fun fact. The ONLY reason I went with Android this time around (i left blackberry, sadface) was because I wanted something larger than 4.5" and Apple has absolutely ZERO options in that market.

don't get me wrong. I have a Note II now, and I feel I went too far in the wrong direction. but to say "there's no market" when one has clearly been proven by the competition is akin to sticking your fingers in your ears and screaming "NANANANANNNANNA" so you dont hear some bad news from your parents when you're 5 years old

 

[SockRolid]

Apple's next iPhone is rumored to come equipped with a larger screen size, somewhere between 4.7 and 5.7 inches. Some rumors have suggested that Apple might release the phone in two separate sizes, both of which are larger than the current 4-inch iPhone 5s/5c.

My random 2014 iPhone guesses:
- High end model screen will be 4.7 to 5.2 inches. More than that is too awkward to one-hand.
- If there are two different screen sizes, the small one will stay at 4.0 inches, with 1136x640 resolution.
- The two iPhone models will be called "iPhone Air" and "iPhone C." No more numbers.

Apple's much-anticipated "iWatch," which was a major rumor focal point in 2013, will likely be released in 2014.

I don't think Apple will release "iWatch" unless it can operate independently of any other Apple device. I don't think they'd release a wrist-top "second screen" for iPhone. And that means it would need some kind of wi-fi and/or cellular data connection. And a cellular data connection might allow for cell carrier subsidies. And that means the price would easily be under $200. It would be more like an iPod touch killer. Apple would rather sell iPhones than iPod touches anyway. What better way than to kill off iPod touch with "iWatch"?

Apple has been long rumored to be making some upgrades to its Apple TV, either in the form of a revamped set top box with additional functionality or a full blown television set.

I think Apple's "television strategy" is already in place. Tech pundits, Apple fans, and even mainstream media have been trained to think "Hardware, hardware hardware!" when they think about Apple and the television industry. "When will Apple release a TV set? Will it be plain old HD or 4K?" I don't think Apple needs to release a TV set of any kind. Because I think Apple's TV strategy is all about software infrastructure and interoperability.

Ever try the iTunes Festival app? On your iPhone and iPad and Apple TV? (And on iTunes on your Mac / PC?) Well if you didn't, you missed out on a preview of Apple's TV strategy. Flawless live-streamed coverage of performances. Pre-recorded streaming of archived performances. Delivered to all iOS and OS X devices that Apple currently ships, on all screen sizes from the iPhone in your pocket to the big-screen TV in your living room.

That's all Apple needs, in terms of infrastructure and hardware. iTunes Festival is a proof of concept, on a large scale. It shows us that the hardest technical issues for Apple's TV solution are already solved. There are, of course, minor details like gesture and voice recognition for end-users to control playback etc. Siri could easily handle voice commands through a mic on the Apple TV "puck." And Apple has acquired at least one company for their gesture-recognition technology. Easily integrated into the Apple TV set-top box with a camera. Minor details compared to building out the massive infrastructure for delivering live and pre-recorded streamed content on a large scale.

Will Apple release their own television set? Flip a coin. Who cares? Doesn't really matter. The more important question is "When will Apple disrupt the status quo of bundled cable channel junk, legacy TV networks, and crappy-but-cheap Netflix?" It could take decades. Lots of incumbents will try to maintain that status quo. The way blacksmiths tried to keep selling horseshoes as automobiles became more and more popular.