Apple 2016 is an exciting item considering this year has been hectic for the Cupertino, California-based tech giant. With products and services like iPad Pro, Apple Pay, Beats 1, Apple Watch, 12-inch MacBook and Apple Music, the tech industry has a lot to talk about.
These products are, themselves, hints of what Apple has in store for the upcoming year. MacWorld gave a picture of Apple for the year 2016.
For the flagship phone, iPhone 7 is expected next year as the "S" variant already launched in September.
Experts said the home button will be replaced by soft buttons as seen on Android phones to increase the screen size without bulking the body, and may even make the device smaller but with same screen quality to win back those who did not like the taller and wider bodies of iPhone 6 and 6S. MacRumors reported the new 4-inch 5S-looking phone will release early next year.
The power-hungry LCD tech on its display might be replaced by AMOLED screen which is more responsive and colorful. However, it cannot happen soon as KGI Securities analyst Ming-Chi Kuo believes the LCD will still stay and he could be right as Apple suppliers are building LCD factories in China.
The Mac Pro is due for a refresh, which is not necessarily external but El Capitan OS suggests a new device might be in the works, with the integration of the Skylake processor.
A 13- or 15-inch MacBook Air is rumored to be in the pipeline, discontinuing the 11-inch MacBook. The models could be lighter, thinner, enhanced internals and will feature Retina display and Skylake processor. WWDC in June is the expected launch date.
The 12-inch MacBook which came in March might be updated in 2016 as well, with an Intel 14nm Core M Chip and a lower price tag. Update could either be in March or June.
The Apple TV has just been revamped and in some countries like UK, it may have BBC iPlayer soon in 2016 as the plans have been confirmed and negotiations will be finalized. Just as it initially did not appear on Freeview or Sky, ITVhas no plans to appear on Apple TV for now while Channels 4 and 5 have not shared their intentions.
Apple plays slow but sure of its Apple Watch. While the smartwatch seems to be overshadowed by its rivals in store shelves, the company may already have an idea that many are waiting for a second generation.
The wearable will be one year old in April and there could be another partnership with a big brand just like Hermes in September. An Apple Watch 2 in 2016 could become stand-alone, not needing the iPhone and connects to the cellular network directly.
