Apple usually has a product release around this time each year. While a face to face event is common, it’s getting late in the month for Apple to issue invitations. And with November the time when everyone is getting into pre-Christmas sales and ready for the school year (a lot of Apple’s timing is based on what happens in the USA), it looks like new products will come without a big event.
So, what are we likely to see?
Apple to create an iPad dock for the smarthome
In his Power On newsletter, Mark Gurman says that at some point in the new year, Apple will release a docking device that will allow your iPad to be used as a home automation hub. Somewhat similar to the recently announced by Google, the dock will link the iPad with a HomePod-like speaker.
I suspect this will look a lot like a modern version of the ‘sunflower’ iMac designed by Jony Ive when he was at the peak of his design powers at Apple. But instead of the guts of a computer in the base, it will be a new smart speaker.
iPad range refresh
The base-level iPad will almost certainly come with a USB-C connector now that the EU has mandated portable devices will require USB-C. Also, from a manufacturing perspective, it makes sense for Apple given every other iPad has moved away from lightning to USB-C.
The expectation is that iPad is likely to get a redesign, brining it in line wth the rest of the iPad range that has an edge-to-edge display. Again, from a manufacturing point of view this makes sense.
The iPad Pro is a good bet to see a processor (or, more correctly, System on a Chip or SoC) upgrade to the M2 processor that debuted with the MacBook Air.
MacBook Pros to get the M2 treatment
Apple may have had a coming out party for the M2 processor with the MacBook Air but the rest of the Apple laptop family will be getting a boost in the coming weeks. Apple differentiated the ‘basic’ M1 processor by offering the Max and Ultra variants that had more processor cores and boosted output. The Pro laptops will get boosted versions of the M2, so there’s a point of difference between the Air and Pro laptops.
The Mac mini will (finally) drop Intel
Apple has held on to an Intel version of the Mac mini, well after the two year timeframe for the processor transition to the M-series SoC. The Intel-powered Mac mini will fade into the annals of Apple’s history, with the M1 representing the new entry-level and an M2 powered Mac mini entering the market.
macOS Ventura will come this month
macOS Ventura was announced way back in July at WWDC. With new Macs coming this month, we can expect macOS Ventura to follow along. I suspect it’s been held back in order to ensure it’s 100% ready for the newer MacBook Pro models that we can expect.
Anthony is the founder of Australian Apple News. He is a long-time Apple user and former editor of Australian Macworld. He has contributed to many technology magazines and newspapers as well as appearing regularly on radio and occasionally on TV.