Apple Watch Explorer Edition: “ruggedized version aimed at extreme sports athletes”
Our take: The most interesting of these variants is, of course, the new Apple Watch Explorer Edition, a rugged version of the Apple Watch that is significantly more durable. Still skeptical? Display analyst Ross Young (100% accurate) has also predicted 3 new watch models next year…
The rumor: New versions of the MacBook Air, MacBook Pro, 27-inch iMac, Mac mini and Mac Pro are coming in 2022, according to Mark Gurman (87% accurate, via Power On).
This is what’s expected…
“Revamped, high-end iMac with Apple silicon to sit above the new 24-inch model”
“Biggest MacBook Air revamp in the product’s history, adding the M2 chip and a new design”
“New versions of the Mac mini, entry-level MacBook Pro and a revamped Mac Pro with Apple silicon”
Our take: Next year Apple has said they will complete their 2-year transition from Intel to Apple Silicon so this tracks. Looking like 2022 will, potentially, be the biggest year for the Mac ever. And I want all of it.
The rumor: Apple is planning to focus on “gaming, media consumption and communication” for the first version of their AR/VR headset that is set to launch next year, according to Mark Gurman (87% accurate, via Power On).
“Look for Animojis and a VR FaceTime-like experience to be the new-age Zoom” Gurman says
Gaming will be powered by more than one processor, a fan and ultra-high-resolution displays (rumors point to dual 4K screens)
Our take: Animojis and VR FaceTime are the first we’ve heard of what consumer-level features will be packed into this device…but these honestly sound like gimmicks. I’m much more interested in the hardware capabilities of this headset, and most importantly, if Apple can make a AR/VR experience that is just good. Everything I’ve tried so far is uncomfortable or painful to use after just short periods of time.
The rumor: Customers aren’t buying as many iPhone 13s as anticipated, according to a new report from Bloomberg’s Debby Wu.
While Apple is still expected to have record holiday quarter, “The company has told its component suppliers that demand for the iPhone 13 lineup has weakened, people familiar with the matter said”
For months Apple has been plagued by constrained supply on many of the components used to make their products, but this is the first we have heard about a lack of demand for the newest iPhones
Our take: It’s important to keep in mind that weakened demand still means Apple is going to sell a lot of iPhones. But I do find it curious that this story is dropping amidst the busy holiday season, in which I would have expected demand to be at an all-time high. Perhaps folks are waiting for next year’s redesigned iPhone 14?
The news: Apple-owned beats has released a new version of Beats Studio Buds in collaboration with UNION LOS ANGELES, a fashion retailer.
Red, black and green color the packaging, case and Beats Studio Buds themselves “drawing inspiration from the Pan-African flag and paying tribute to Union’s roots as a Black-owned business”
Our take: While the Beats Studio Buds didn’t work well for me as my ears aren’t compatible with in-ear headphones, I’ve heard a lot of love for them online considering the feature-set is quite impressive for $150. This marks the first collaborative drop for this model of Beats so far, and this Pan-African-inspired design looks slick on these.
The rumor: Apple’s third-generation budget iPhone is scheduled to hit the market early next year, according to Trendforce (77.4% accurate).
According to the new report, “Apple is staying with the plan to release its third-generation iPhone SE in 1Q22 and four models under a new series in 2H22. The third-generation iPhone SE is expected to be a major instrument in helping Apple establish a presence in the market segment for mid-range 5G smartphones”
The iPhone SE 3 is expected to feature the same 4.7-inch design as the current version, but with a faster processor and 5G connectivity
Our take: I’ll be honest: I’m confused at how the iPhone SE 3 is going to work. Such a small and outdated design worked well 2 years ago in 2020, but I fail to see how Apple can put 5G in a smartphone that already has the worst battery life of the entire iPhone lineup. Some rumors suggested the new iPhone SE could have a 6.1-inch design, but apparently that isn’t happening until 2024…
The leak: A special prototype of the original AirPods has been shared on Twitter by collector Giulio Zompetti.
The prototype pictured features the standard white headpiece but a fully translucent rear backing and stem…they look incredibly similar to the Nothing ear (1)
Translucent prototypes like these AirPods seem to be a standard practice: images of Apple’s 20W charging brick were spotted in in a translucent finish prototype in 2020
Our take: These are simply fun to look at and nothing more than a cool prototype. I love the look, but don’t expect Apple to ever release a pair of real AirPods that looks like this.
The news: Apple has officially launched a new upgrade program where you can get a new MacBook as soon as every 90 days…but it’s only available for business customers right now.
You can get any MacBook Apple sells right now for 3% of their retail list prices: 13-inch MacBook Air for $30/mo, 13-inch MacBook Pro for $39/mo, 14-inch MacBook Pro for $60/mo or 16-inch MacBook Pro for $75/mo
This MacBook upgrade program sounds very similar to Apple’s public iPhone upgrade program that has been offered for years
Our take: I have a feeling that Apple is testing the waters with their business customers first, but I see no reason as to why they wouldn’t offer this to customers eventually. More folks than you would think like having the latest tech from Apple, and with the success of the iPhone upgrade program, the precedent is already here.
The rumor: Apple is still working on an AirPower-like charging device years after officially canceling the product, according to Mark Gurman (87% accurate, via Power On).
“I do think Apple is still working on some sort of multi-device charger that it intends to eventually release. There’s a reason why it planned to launch the device in the first place in 2017” Gurman says
Apple is also reportedly working on short and long-range wireless charging…like iPad being able to charge iPhone
Our take: We’ve been hearing about this AirPower follow-up for years…but still nothing palpable has come of the rumors. Not to mention that Apple sells MagSafe duo already. I would love a nice-looking 3-1 charger with Apple’s first-party tech: I’m just not convinced it’s happening.
The rumor: Apple’s first real AR product is set to launch late next year, according to Ming-Chi Kuo (75.9% accurate).
In the note obtained by AppleTrack, Kuo states that the AR headset will have “Mac level of computing power” and “can operate independently, without relying on a Mac…or iPhone”
Dual-4K Micro OLED displays may be included to support VR in addition to AR functionality
The device, which saw the design leak months ago, is rumored to release in the fourth quarter of 2022
Our take: Mac power, the ability to operate independently and 4K displays have me really starting to look forward to this device. I think the fourth quarter of next year is a very realistic launch timeframe.
The list: We scoured in the internet to bring you the best Black Friday deals for new Apple products in 2021. We’ve bolded our favorites in each category.
Here’s the lowdown…
AirPods
AirPods 2 for $100 at checkout on Amazon ($44 off)
Apple Watch Series 7 (GPS + Cellular, 41mm) – Green/Starlight Aluminum Case with Clover Sport Band for $479.99 on Amazon ($20 off)
Apple Watch Series 7 (GPS + Cellular, 45mm) – Green/Starlight Aluminum Case with Clover Sport Band for $509.99 on Amazon ($20 off)
Apple Watch Series 7 (GPS, 41mm) – RED Aluminum Case with (Product) RED Sport Band for $379.99 on Amazon ($19 off)
Apple Watch Series 7 (GPS, 45mm) – RED Aluminum Case with (Product) RED Sport Band for $409.99 on Amazon ($19 off)
SE (2020 model)
Apple Watch SE (GPS, 40mm) – Silver Aluminum Case with Abyss Blue Sport Band for $219 on Amazon ($60 off)
Apple Watch SE (GPS + Cellular, 40mm) – Space Grey Aluminum Case with Tornado/Grey Sport Loop for $319.98 on Amazon ($10 off)
Apple Watch SE (GPS + Cellular, 44mm) – Space Grey Aluminum Case with Tornado/Grey Sport Loop for $299.99 on Amazon ($60 off)
Or get a $50 gift card on SE and Series 3 when you buy from Apple.
HomePod
HomePod mini black/white for $89 at Staples ($10 off)
iPad
iPad Air Green 64GB for $589.99 at Adorama ($10 off)
11-inch iPad Pro (Wi‑Fi, 128GB) – Silver for $749.99 on Amazon ($49 off)
12.9-inch iPad Pro (Wi‑Fi, 128GB) – Silver/Space Gray for $999.99 on Amazon ($100 off)
iPhone
You would expect to see a lot of deals here…but there just aren’t that many this year. Apple is offering a $50 gift card when you buy iPhone 12, iPhone 12 mini or iPhone SE. All the carrier deals below require a trade-in of your previous phone:
