Category: 💻 Tech

If I had to guess if Apple makes a 15" MacBook, a 12" MacBook, or both sizes, I would guess they only make the 12" size, to pair with the current 13.6" MacBook Air. It could have an M3 chip based on ARMv9 and might also be the first non-Pro device by Apple with Mini-LED.

I wonder if Apple WWDC 2022 might not include the release of the newly redesigned consumer MacBook or Mac mini.

Notes

• I have an alternate idea about the products that could be announced at Apple's WWDC 2022 event, as we often expect things earlier than they arrive, like people thinking M2 could come in spring 2022, a flat Watch in 2021, or a redesigned flat back iPhone in 2022.
• Since the new MacBook and Mac mini are giant updates to decade old designs, I wonder if it could make sense to only release a MacBook Pro sans notch and a larger iMac with 5nm M1X/M2 in 2Q22, and leave the new MacBook and Mac mini for the 3nm M2/M3 with ARMv9 for around 1Q23.
• The new Mac Pro with the most powerful chip Apple will make could then be the star of the show, as long as it is ready to be released. The Mac Pro and iMac are more developer focused devices anyway, as opposed to the MacBook and Mac mini, which are targeted more at consumers.
• Rebranding or naming of products is much tougher to guess, but I wonder if there is at least a chance that the Mac Pro could be renamed to something else, based on the Mac Studio being released with a new name earlier this year, and including the M1 Pro chip.

Update - June 4th

• While my alternative guess is that the newly redesigned MacBook and Mac mini could wait until 2023 for the 3nm M1-series chip, I will add that maybe they could still release an updated MacBook Air with the old design, instead of the new colorful design.
• Since the potential third generation 5nm M1X/M2 chip for this year may not be a big enough upgrade for the new design, they could release both the MacBook and MacBook Pro this year in the old designs, which they used for the original M1 Macs from late 2020.

Previously:

@gruber I wonder if Apple could make their next iMac and consumer oriented display to each have a design with a 30 inch 6K screen, a resolution of 5760 x 3240 with 220 PPI, and a 60Hz IPS screen without Mini-LED and likely without 120Hz ProMotion. [Link]

They could. But why would they? I don’t see them making standalone displays that aren’t technically excellent, and that means ProMotion and probably Mini LED. - John Gruber

TLDR

• What size would you choose to make the larger iMac?
• I somewhat agree with your point about Pro displays
• Why would they? Larger than 27", consumer price, etc.
• Should they? Yes, according to me it's the best option
• Will they? Probably not
• Who's on first? Yes

Why 30" iMac?

• Larger than previous 27" size started in 2009
• Proportionally larger as new 24" is over 22"
• Wider horizontal resolution at 1620 over 1440
• Keeps the same 220 PPI retina resolution
• Creates 6K 5760 x 3240 standard
• Created 2K 2560 x 1440 standard

Why 30" Consumer Display?

• I agree they could leave this to others or have 120Hz
• But, allows lower cost than Pro XDRs for consumer Macs
• They DO make a consumer level of most products
• Makes a good match for all M1 Macs and forward
• Matching single or dual 24" and 30" - 27" and 32" Pro
• M1 supports up to 6K and 60Hz

Why Not 32"?

• OK, you got me there
• But, 6K at 5760 x 3240 would be a good standard
• Maybe others would also make 30" at 6K
• Could be considered upgrade to industry 27" at 4K
• In 2009, others embraced 27" 2K at 2560 x 1440
• Others haven't embraced 27" 5K or 32" 6K thus far

Why Consumer Display And Products?

• iMac, MacBook Air, Mac mini - Displays to match?
• iPad Air, iPad mini, iPad
• iPhone, iPhone mini, iPhone SE
• AirPods, HomePod mini, iPod Touch
• Apple TV 4K, Apple TV, Apple Watch SE
• iPad screen isn't technically excellent like Pro XDR, for instance

Lineup

• Suggested consumer and pro lineup of Macs and Displays
• Larger sizes for both iMacs and possible consumer displays
• iMac - 24" and 30" - Same display tech as Apple Display
• Apple Display - 24" and 30" - 60Hz IPS LED for now
• Mac Pro - Mac Pro and Mac Pro Max - Mac Pro "mini"?
• Apple Display Pro - 27" and 32" - 120Hz Mini-LED for now

More reasons in original post with idea for 30" 6K iMac and display

I wonder if Apple shouls make their next large-size iMac and consumer oriented display to each have a design with a 30 inch 6K screen, a resolution of 5760 x 3240 with 220 PPI, and a 60Hz IPS screen without Mini-LED and likely without 120Hz ProMotion.

Devices

• 30" iMac
• 30" Apple Display

Specs

• 30 inches
• 6K display
• 5760 x 3240
• 220 PPI
• IPS - No Mini-LED
• 60Hz - No 120Hz - Maybe though

Notes

• 2000:1 Contrast - LG's new "IPS Black" technology
• 60Hz IPS - No Mini-LED and likely no 120Hz ProMotion
• Regular iMac only at 30", not an iMac Pro
• Space Gray or Black color option unlike earlier 24" iMac
• No iMac Pro with higher cost and pro features
• No Mini-LED and likely no 120Hz ProMotion

Whys

• Larger than 27" similar to new 24" being larger than old 22"
• Get larger screen but still smaller than 32" Pro XDR Display
• Targets approximate retina 220 PPI just like 24" and 27" iMacs
• Lower cost without Mini-LED and 120 Hz "Pro" features
• iMac Pro isn't needed because Mac Pro box and 32" XDR Display
• Matching 30" iMac and display at reasonable consumer prices

Lineup - Added February 24th

• Suggested consumer and pro lineup of Macs and Displays
• Larger sizes for both iMacs and possible consumer displays
• iMac - 24" and 30" - Same display tech as Apple Display
• Apple Display - 24" and 30" - 60Hz IPS LED for now
• Mac Pro - Mac Pro and Mac Pro Max - Mac Pro "mini"?
• Apple Display Pro - 27" and 32" - 120Hz Mini-LED for now

Reply To: John Gruber “But Why Would they?”

I wonder if it will ultimately be tablets, and not phones at all, that will be primarily redesigned in their best and most common form to be foldable.

Notes

• They would open up similar to a book with the screen only on the inside, but most importantly have a much larger single screen when flipped into portrait orientation like a tablet when opened.
• They would also fit in a much smaller space so that a tablet opened up to be about 9 inches, like an iPad mini, could fit in your pocket while being wider and shorter than a typical phone when closed.
• They would not have any screen on the outside to function like a phone, but would be designed more like a book or notebook, with the screen fully protected inside the device when closed.

I wonder if iPlay would be a good name for a future smart TV device made by Apple that combines Apple TV, HomePod speakers, FaceTime camera, Siri microphone, a game console, and a smart home hub all inside a TV screen.

I think Microsoft should make the S versions of their Xbox consoles and controller silver instead of white.

Could Apple announce or release these unlikely products at their second fall event of 2021 or in the future? Here are some quick guesses and a few key details for some unlikely products I wonder about Apple announcing if they have a second or third fall event in 2021.

Products

• 14" MacBook or MacBook Air - M2
• 30-32" iMac - M2
• 24" and 30-32" Apple Displays
• AirPods 3

Future

• 12" MacBook mini - M2
• 14" MacBook Pro - M2X. Mini-LED.
• 16" MacBook Pro - M2X. Mini-LED.
• 40-80" Apple TV - M2. Mini-LED. 55" and 75"?

Thoughts

• Many of you likely know what the rumors are currently.
• So I understand that the rumors are currently suggesting the MacBook Pro and maybe Mac mini will likely come first this fall, possibly with an M1X chip.
• Then, sometime next year the MacBook Air would be released and a larger iMac.
• I just like to think a little different.
• I like to try and guess what might not be currently predicted or most rumored at the time.
• So here are some alternative ideas and thoughts for products they could release next based on my haphazard analysis.
• I'm also skeptical that the lower tier MacBook Air will include Mini-LED in its next release, as is being rumored.
• To keep costs down and differentiate their products, I would guess that Apple continues to leave Mini-LED for their Pro level products only.
• I wonder if this strategy could be the plan even for the MacBooks for at least the next release, and maybe more.

Here is an idea that I think Apple could use if they build a display with an integrated ARM processor, along with some of the basic features and specifications I think the device should have.

Features

• Hybrid smart TV/console/home hub, computer desktop monitor, and "anywhere" counter display
• Used by itself with built-in processor and tvOS, or as a display or TV for computers and devices
• Plug in Macs, iPads, computers, or any HDMI capable boxes to function as a monitor or TV
• 41" size would work as a TV in a bedroom, a computer monitor on a desk, or a display in the dining room
• Controlled by remote with Apple remote or by voice with Hey Siri - Switches inputs automatically
• Integrated FaceTime camera, microphone, and speakers for FaceTime and always-on Siri
• 40.5" display at 4K matches perfectly with macOS target dpi of 109 PPI for desktops
• 40.5" display at 8K would match perfectly with macOS target dpi for retina displays with 218 PPI

Specs

• Name - Apple Home 4K, Apple Display 4K - Ideas below
• OS - tvOS - Renamed homeOS?
• Size - 41" 4K Display - Actually 40.5"
• Density - 109 PPI - Matches macOS target DPI
• Cost - $999-1499 US? - "Budget" Apple TV/Display
• Storage - 64-128 GB and 256-512 GB - $999 and $1299?
• Processor - A-Series A14 - Or newer ARM chip like M1
• Inputs - 2 USB-C and 2 HDMI 2.1 - 1 Thunderbolt 4?
• Camera - FaceTime Camera - Microphones
• Speakers - Integrated Speakers - Optical out

Names

• Apple Home 4K, Apple Home, Apple Home Display, Apple HomeTV
• Apple Display 4K, Apple Display TV, Apple Display, Apple Display HDR
• Apple Screen 4K, Apple Screen, Apple Screen HDR, Apple Screen TV
• Apple TV Display, Apple TV Screen, Apple TV, Apple TV HDR

Exclusive: Apple testing new external display with a dedicated A13 chip and Neural Engine

Here is an idea for how to create a singular and clear Wordpress brand for both Automattic and the WordPress Foundation. I wonder if this could potentially help both of them prosper and grow much better together into the foreseeable future.

Quick • Name Changes And Locations

• Automattic Inc. > Wordpress Inc. - wordpress.com/inc
• WordPress.com > Wordpress - wordpress.com
• WordPress > Wordpress Org or Wordpress.org - wordpress.org
• WordPress Foundation > Wordpress Foundation - wordpress.org/foundation
• Automattic > Wordpress Automattic - automattic.com
• Ma.tt & Matt.blog > Matt Mullenweg - mattmullenweg.com

What

• Sell WordPress trademark to Automattic and rename Automattic Inc. to Wordpress Inc.
• Allow use of WordPress trademark to be used on anything for eternity for WordPress Foundation too
• Rename WordPress.com > Wordpress and Wordpress Inc. - Wordpress, formerly WordPress.com
• Rename WordPress > Wordpress Org and Wordpress Foundation - Wordpress Org, formerly WordPress. Alternatives > Wordpress.org? Wordpress Open? Wordpress Core? Wordpress Base? Wordpress Free?
• Relocate Wordpress Foundation > Wordpress Org - Simplify with Foundation at Wordpress.org and Inc. at Wordpress.com
• Rename Automattic > Wordpress Automattic - Stay at automattic.com as Careers website and internal company domain

Why

• Life is short. Take a chance. The risk is worth the reward. Simplify and create a single, well-known, and strong brand.
• Wordpress.com and Automattic can help WordPress Foundation a lot by making more money
• Automattic could make much more money if it can use Wordpress trademark and name for anything
• Wordpress could be best name for both WordPress.com and for Automattic company going forward
• We can use Wordpress brand name on many products for both Inc. and Foundation creating a network effect
• Wordpress.org and WordPress is so popular now that Wordpress Inc. would likely face trouble restricting future trademark access

Axiomattic

• If you don't trust yourself with trademark, do you think someone in the future who is less altruistic will care? - Build for our generation
• Accept that you can only control trademark, foundation, and company while you are leader and alive - Even Rome fell

Updated Date - Nov 22, 2023
Original Date - May 26, 2021

I no longer receive much joy in buying many Apple products because with the latest iPod Touch 7 and Apple TV 6 you are getting 3 year old processor technology and 7 year old design technology.

The result is that you are still getting the negative of having to wait to buy Apple products on their slow and well thought out schedule, but now without the positive of receiving close to the newest or fastest technology.

Could iPhone SE 3 be released in Spring 2024 and Touch ID debut on side of iPhones in Fall 2021 or later? Here is a guess for when we might see another iPhone SE as well as for how and when Touch ID might be added to the iPhone. This idea is based on an analysis of when each of these changes and additions to the iPhone lineup occurred in the past.

Notes

• There are many reports recently and over the last year about when the next iPhone SE will debut and what features it will have.
• Some mention that a new iPhone SE will debut in Spring 2022 with another 4.7" display, and then another version in Spring 2023 with a punch hole notch.
• Before that, there was a rumor that a version with a 5.5" or 6" display would be released as early as Spring 2021.
• There are also many reports over the last few years about how and when Apple might add fingerprint authentication back to the iPhone.
• After looking into it I came up with an alternate idea and guess on what could happen and when.
• Follow along if you wish.

iPhone SE

• Fall 2013 - iPhone 5S released as first phone with Touch ID in bottom button and last phone with 4" screen
• Spring 2016 - iPhone SE 1 released with same design as iPhone 5S and upgraded internals - 2.5 years later
• Fall 2017 - iPhone 8 released as last phone with Touch ID in bottom button and last phone with 4.7" and 5.5" screens
• Spring 2020 - iPhone SE 2 released with same design as iPhone 8 and upgraded internals - 2.5 years later
• Fall 2021 - iPhone 12S or 13 releases as first phone with Touch ID in side button and possibly last phone with 5.4" and 6" screens
• Spring 2024 - iPhone SE 3 releases with same design as iPhone 12S or 13 and upgraded internals - 2.5 years later

iPhone Authentication

• Fall 2013 - Touch ID Bottom - iPhone 5S released as first phone with Touch ID in home button
• Fall 2017 - Face ID Top - iPhone X released as first phone with Face ID in top notch - 4 years later
• Fall 2021 - Touch ID Side - iPhone 12S or 13 releases as first phone with Touch ID in side button - 4 years later

Thoughts

• So, besides guessing that they could add fingerprint authentication back to the iPhone this year, I'm also guessing that they will use a side-mounted Touch ID instead of an in-screen fingerprint reader.
• This guess also basically implies that this will be a year in which they leave the design very similar to the iPhone 12.
• But even though it could be an S year, whether or not they brand it as such, they would still be making a fairly large addition to the lineup in the form of the side-mounted Touch ID sensor.
• I will add though, that I wonder if they may even remove Face ID from the non-Pro phones for 2021, or less likely from all of the phones. I'm not talking about the notch, just that Face ID could be removed.
• Removing Face ID from the non-Pro phones and not using an in-screen fingerprint reader would allow them to reduce the cost on them in the Fall of 2021, partially obviating the need for a new SE in the Spring of 2022, while also offering the exact same design without Face ID in the Spring of 2024, on that potential entry level iPhone SE 3.
• With that said, the details for what they will do with Face ID, and when they will change the size of the notch or go to no notch at all is a separate issue I think.
• I also have a few contrarian guesses for how that could happen.
• However, I think the issue of Face ID and the notch is kind of unrelated to the main two ideas in this article.
• The first idea being that the next iPhone SE 3 could possibly not be released until the Spring of 2024, and be based on the design from the Fall 2021 iPhones.
• The second idea being that Apple could possibly add fingerprint authentication back to the iPhone using the side-mounted Touch ID sensor already in use on the iPad, instead of creating a new in-screen fingerprint reader.
• Furthermore, that this side-mounted Touch ID could possibly debut on the main line of iPhones released this year in the Fall of 2021, similar to how the first Touch ID came to the iPhone 5S in a year in which they didn't radically change the design and screen size.

Could Apple release a smaller and cheaper mid-range 5.4" iPhone in 2020, or even 2019? Here’s a theory for why, when, and how Apple might release a 5.4″ iPhone as a smaller and cheaper mid-range device to replace the iPhone 8 at about the $649 price point, but which could also be not too much larger in size than the 4″ iPhone SE.

Good Thing, Small Package

I wonder if Apple could announce a surprise 5.4″ iPhone in September 2019 with about a 1602 x 740 pixel screen at 326 PPI. It would be a smaller version of the 6.1″ XR, just like the 5.8″ XS is to the 6.5″ XS Max, and it would be physically not too much larger than the iPhone SE. [Link]

The inspiration for this article comes from the above thought I wrote previously on my website and social media. John Gruber from Daring Fireball made my day by taking the time to respond, pointing out that such a device would be unlikely to be released in the fall of 2019. I most certainly agree with this. Yet here I am anyway, thankfully inspired to write a few more of my thoughts behind the possibility of a 5.4" iPhone, including why, when, and in what form Apple might release the device.

It would be delightful if they did, but that seems impossible given how leaky the supply chain is.

— John Gruber (@gruber) September 6, 2019

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Here are the potential names I would use for a new disc-less or all digital Xbox.

Predicted

• Xbox One S All-Digital Edition
• Xbox One E
• Xbox One D - For "Digital"
• Xbox One Digital

As far as what they are likely to call it, I think Xbox One E is certainly a possibility. One of the reasons is because that is the name they used for an updated version previously, the Xbox 360 E. As long as they still like that scheme, they could stick with it. I am aware that it has been rumored to be called Xbox One S All-Digital Edition, so that is very likely as well. I just wonder if there is a possibility of that name being more of  a behind the scenes full name, and they go with a simpler brand name at retail for customers. Probably not, but you never know.

Suggested

• Xbox One T
• Xbox One R
• Xbox One E
• Xbox One TV
• Xbox One Tiny
• Xbox One Small

I like the simplicity of using single letters for different products in a product line. Plus, Microsoft has been using that type of branding for both the Xbox One S and Xbox One X, as well as the most recent versions of the Xbox 360 S and Xbox 360 E. So it makes sense to stick with the single letter naming scheme for this version as well, instead of using a more full name like the rumored "All-Digital Edition", or the previous Arcade and Elite of the 360.

I like R better than E because it is commonly used for higher end devices and they are not yet using that letter for any Xbox One device. Using letters like A, C, E, G might typically be thought of as lower tier devices. Using letters like R, S, T, X might typically be thought of as higher tier devices. So basically, I'd go with R because it sounds cooler and is still a letter less than S and X, which are higher end devices and already in use. Or I'd go with T because it might sound even better than R, and could denote the longer name of Tiny or TV, similar to how the current S could denote the longer name of Small or Slim.

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Here are the prices and features I'd put in the new 2019 iPad and iPad Mini products.

Why

• Keep the existing budget iPad in the lineup for a low cost device
• Put a bit newer technology in the other entry level iPads to make them desirable
• Raise the prices a bit if needed for a bit newer technology
• Include laminated display and thinner chassis because it's important
• Price iPad and iPad Mini only slightly different, not a much cheaper Mini
• Keep the old design with Touch ID to keep costs down some still though

Prices

• iPad 9.7" - 2018 - $299 32 GB, $399 128 GB
• iPad Mini 7.9" - 2019 - $449 64 GB, $549 256 GB
• iPad 10.5" - 2019 - $499 64 GB, $599 256 GB

Features

• Same Design - Touch ID and Bezels
• Similar Display Sizes and Resolutions - 7.9" and 10.5"
• Thinner Chassis for iPad - Like Mini 4 and Pro 10.5
• Laminated Display - And Anti-Reflective
• A12 Processer
• 3 GB RAM
• Apple Pencil Gen 1
• Touch ID Gen 2
• Wifi 802.11ac
• Bluetooth 5

Android phone makers should make budget phones with 5.0" 1440x720 displays for one-handed use.

I wonder if Apple should have released an affordable, mass market $99 home speaker assistant first instead of the expensive HomePod, similar to what they did with Apple TV.

For an equal and consistent UX, iOS should make a long press on older devices work absolutely everywhere a 3D Touch hard press works.