Reliable Leaker Claims Apple Event Coming March 23rd

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Sketchy photo of what appears to be airpods with a pro-like design.Kang has a 97.8% record on AppleTrack for accuracy with leaks. Kang actually sits at the top of AppleTrack’s charts as its most reliable leaker. Now he’s claiming that Apple’s upcoming event will happen on the same day as OnePlus’ product launch… on March 23rd.

Supposedly, this event will be for Apple’s AirTags, as well as a new iPad Pro. The iPad Air’s A14 chip actually outperforms the iPad Pro’s A12z processor in a few ways, and it’s due for an update. Apple’s AirTags, tracking tags for just about anything, have been long rumored. Apple may finally reveal them this month.

Apple is rumored to have a few products on their back burners. COVID-19 slowed down production for new products, pushing back deadlines. However, this could be the month Apple finally releases a few of those products.

Refreshes

Among Apple’s upcoming products will be a few refreshes, updates to existing products. In some cases, the design changes can be significant. In others, less so. In fact, in some cases, the new products will look like old products! Here’s everything that Apple may reveal this month.

iPads

iPad mini mockup showing the current iPad mini design with an added nearly bezel-less display and a display cutout for the Touch ID button.

The current iPad Pro was only a slight step up over the 2019 iPad Pro. It wasn’t a great improvement as far as performance is concerned. However, it received an impressive camera update, gaining a second lens and the LIDAR module that would later end up in the 2020 iPad Pro. The new model will likely use an advanced version of the A14 chip, though some have stated that it could include a version of the M1 chip. This is the same processor in the Mac lineup, and would make the iPad Pro as powerful as Apple’s latest Macs. It’s also possible that the 12.9-inch iPad Pro may be the first to use mini-LED back lighting. This could allow LED displays to have the same contrast as OLED displays, with greater brightness.

The iPad mini has long since been ignored. However, one rumor stated that it could get an 8.4-inch display with a cutout for the Touch ID sensor. The new design could help the iPad mini make the most of the space it takes up, becoming the perfect mini tablet. This may be what has been holding the iPad mini back, and it could become the perfect companion for bags everywhere once it’s shrunken down to size.

AirPods 3

Apple introduced the AirPods 2 in March of 2019, just over two years after they were initially released. They largely retained the same design as the first generation AirPods, but introduced a wireless charging case and “Hey Siri” support.

The third generation AirPods will take features from the AirPods Pro. They’ll have a similar shape and shorter stem, though won’t include noise cancellation or rubber tips for sound isolation.

Apple TV

Apple hasn’t updated the Apple TV since 2017. Four years is a long time to go without an update. A faster processor means Apple could add advancements, like spacial audio, a feature currently reserved only for Apple’s latest iOS devices. It could also boost performance and reliability, two areas my aging 3rd generation Apple TV are starting to fail with.

AirTags

Find "items" page of unreleased Find My app

Apple’s AirTags are practically myth at this point. They’ve been under development for years, and every time Apple has an event, we theorize that this will be the day Apple finally reveals their AirTag trackers. The products will work like Tile’s trackers. Put them with your keys, stick them to a remote, hide one on your bike, and you’ll be able to find your items if you misplace them, lose them, or if someone steals them. Apple has had a hidden “Items” tab in their Find My app for a few software revisions, and the current beta has it on by default. There’s reason to believe Apple will finally release these long-awaited products this month, along with iOS 14.15 to support the location-aware tags.

Still, it could be just another product Apple pushes back.

Macs

Various iMacs in a variety of colors. Concept from Front Page Tech

There is a small chance that Apple could release a new computer this month. We have heard rumors of a colorful iMac on the way. Apple recently discontinued their iMac Pro, and is allowing quantities to run out. This could mean a powerful Apple silicon Mac is on the way to take its place. The design is expected to feature a 24-inch, 4K display, smaller bezels, Apple silicon, and, yes, possibly colors.

Apple’s lineup is in need of a spring refresh, and it looks like that’s what we’ll get later this month.


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