5 Biggest Apple Rumors Ahead Of The October Event
Apple is expected to unveil new iPads and Macs during its Oct. 30 product event, possibly including a new iPad Pro and a successor to the MacBook Air.
What's Next From Apple
In September, Apple announced no new iPads or Macs during its product event, instead dedicating the time to launching three new iPhones and a fourth-gen Apple Watch. But don't fret, iPad and Mac fans: an October Apple event is on the way. Apple will hold a second fall product event on Tuesday, Oct. 30--and Apple rumors suggest that new iPad models, a new Mac Mini and a few more devices are planned for the event in New York.
What follows are the five biggest Apple rumors ahead of the company's October 2018 event.
iPad Pro
Long-running rumors have suggested that Apple is planning a major refresh for the iPad Pro this fall, and it's looking likely that the October Apple event will see the unveiling of the new models. Some reports indicate that Apple will announce an 11-inch iPad Pro--presumably taking the place of the existing 10.5-inch iPad Pro--alongside an upgraded 12.9-inch iPad Pro. The iPad Pro was last updated in June 2017.
Key changes for the new iPad Pro may include improved displays—with thinner bezels and rounded corners around the screen—along with updated processors and a new Apple Pencil. The new iPad Pros may also be getting a USB-C port and are expected to switch from Touch ID fingerprint authentication to Face ID facial recognition for authentication. The home button is also expected to go away, which is no longer required for fingerprint log-in. The new iPad Pro will thus introduce the types of navigation gestures used on the iPhone X and XS, according to some reports.
iPad Mini
While it's been nearly a year and a half since the iPad Pro saw an update, it's been a lot longer for the iPad Mini, Apple's appropriately named, 7.9-inch iPad model. The most current version, the iPad Mini 4, actually has been out since September of 2015. However, well-known analyst Ming-Chi Kuo of TF International Securities has reported that a refreshed iPad Mini is in the works at Apple, with updates coming such as new processors and display panels. Still, Kuo indicated that it's not clear whether Apple plans to launch the new iPad Mini at the October event, or further down the road.
MacBook Air Successor
Apple released its latest update to the MacBook Air in June 2017, but the laptop has stayed relatively unchanged for years. However, rumors have circulated suggesting that a successor to the MacBook Air could be on the way for 2018. Kuo has predicted that the new affordably priced Apple notebook—which won't feature MacBook Air branding—is set for shipping in the fall and will likely take the place of the aging MacBook Air in the Mac portfolio. That makes the product a good bet for an announcement at the October Apple event.
Mac Mini
Kuo has also predicted that Apple will release an updated version of the Mac Mini--Apple's low-priced, compact-sized desktop--some time this fall. Apple last updated the Mac Mini in October 2014, and many now expect Apple to be planning to announce the new Mac Mini on Oct. 30. Reports suggest the new Mac Mini will offer updated processors and a wider number of storage configurations than the previous model.
iMac
A refreshed iMac is a top wish list item from Apple this fall, according to Jerry Zigmont, owner of MacWorks, a New Haven, Conn.-based Apple consultancy. The iMac is in high demand among his company's customers in education and small business, Zigmont said, but the all-in-one desktop hasn't been updated since June 2017. Rumors suggest that new iMacs are likely to debut at the October Apple event, with updates such as improved display performance and updated processors.