Apple made a bold change to its laptops fundamental aspects back in the year 2015. The year saw the company make a subtle change in functional designs that had massive implications. A new keyboard design was introduced in Apple’s lineup of MacBooks that skipped the traditional key mechanism for a new proprietary design, that has since been dubbed butterfly mechanism. Unfortunately for the tech giant, the new design received heavy criticism due to its various vulnerabilities and faults.
The American company is now reportedly bidding farewell to its Butterfly design keys in favour of a new alternative.
Apple had tweaked the keyboards of MacBooks over the years to overcome its tendency of early degradation and malfunction. The Butterfly keyboard was infamous for its vulnerable mechanism that was prone to failure due to dust particles and heat. Reliability had become a big issue with the new design. Every laptop introduced since 2015 was vulnerable to the failure. Apple had initially claimed that only a handful of laptops suffered, but soon realized the problem and introduced extended repair programs.
According to a report, future MacBooks will be equipped with scissor-switch design on keys that are reinforced with glass fiber. Surprisingly, Apple’s decision for switching keyboards is not due to its reliability issues but rather the cost-effectiveness of the designs. The company has stated that the butterfly design is too expensive for the company due to its low yields. It is being replaced by a new scissor design which is supposedly cheaper than the butterfly design but not as cheap as traditional keys.
According to reports, the upcoming 16-inch MacBook Pro that is said to release in September will not arrive with the new key designs; nor will the 13-inch MacBook Pro incorporate the new design feature. The new keyboard is expected to make its debut in 2020, with future MacBook Pros. Loyal fans of Apple will definitely look forward to the change. Apple is bringing a welcomed change alongside its repair programs which is a healthy move towards relations with its community.
Earlier this month, American tech giant, Apple held the WWDC event where it unveiled the updated Mac Pro computer in addition to the latest software iterations for its electronic devices (1,2,). Intriguingly, the company has freshly registered seven unreleased Mac models in the Eurasian Economic Commission which point towards an upcoming launch. Besides the said devices, Apple in the month of May had launched the updated 15 inch MacBook Pro which can be configured with 8 core Intel i9 processors. EEC listings like these in the past have foreshadowed the release of new Apple products in numerous instances.
A few examples of EEC listing that have turned into actual commercially available products include multiple Mac, iPhone, iPad Pro and AirPod models. The filings are legally required for any encrypted electronic device which is sold in select countries including Russia.
Models Registered
According to the listing, the seven Mac models registered by Apple include A2141, A2147, A2158, A2159, A2179, A2182, and A2251 which are described as “Portable” computers that suggest new MacBook laptop computers. Reportedly, the new device lineup will be comprised of 12 inch MacBook, 13 inch MacBook Pro and also the MacBook Air.
Also, Apple is said to be working on a brand new 16 inch MacBook Pro with an overhauled design. However, the company is yet to provide any information about the launch or existence of the computing device. Adding further to the predictions and rumours, the company launch the upcoming models with optional LTE connectivity. This feature will make the MacBook a perfect companion for users who are always on the go and want a machine to tag along that has high speed internet connectivity.
To conclude, we will have to wait for Apple to reveal more details about the previously mentioned MacBook computers. As no other details about them are currently available except for the EEC listing.
The Apple ecosystem is vast, with various devices interconnected seamlessly. Despite running the same OS, the apps on the iPhone and the iPad differ in functionality and availability. A report claims that by the year 2021, the company will combine its iPhone, iPad and MacOS apps in a project codenamed Marzipan.
Combined Apps In The Apple Ecosystem
The move of combining apps for all the major products in the Apple ecosystem will make it easier to develop apps for these products. The Marzipan project might make an appearance in the upcoming Apple’s WWDC Developer conference in June. Only app development will be linear as Apple has confirmed that it won’t merge iOS and MacOS as a singular platform. Along with the alleged Marzipan project; Apple is also expected to announce the next generation of iOS, the iOS 13 for iPhones and iPads, at the event.
The alleged project Marzipan will begin its journey later this year, as Apple will let the developers port their iPad apps to Mac computers via a software development kit. This will be further explored in the year 2020 when iPhone apps will be tested for porting to Mac. All of these will be combined to form a united app experience across these three platforms by the year 2021. The kit will be released as early as June, which coincides with reports of it launching at the WWDC. This change will let developers create a cross-platform experience for an app, as some apps are currently available on iOS and not on MacOS.
The project Marzipan is expected to provide a revenue opportunity for Apple as the company takes a profit share for in-app purchases and in-app subscriptions. It is also expected to announce some new products in its services divisions; namely a premium news subscription service and a video content initiative, in the month of March. The idea of combining apps for different ecosystems was first explored by Microsoft for its Windows Phone and Windows PCs, as well as Google when developing Android apps for ChromeOS. This move by Apple is expected to improve the app experience and may provide seamless connectivity on a single app between different platforms.
One of the most anticipated events of 2018 is right around the corner. Apple’s September 12th event is what is on everyone’s mind and the new iPhone range is due to take centre stage. Apart from this, Apple is also rumoured to unveil the AirPods 2 and the Apple Watch 4 and possibly some more devices.
Launch Event:
The Apple Launch event will take place at the Steve Jobs Theatre on 12th September at 10:00 AM PDT. This converts to 10:30 PM Indian Standard time. This is 6:00 PM in the United Kingdom, 9:00 PM in UAE and 3:00 AM in Australia. The event can also be live streamed using various methods.
Those owning any apple device such as iPhone, iPad, Mac, or iPod can view it on the Apple TV app. The event can also be live-streamed on Safari and Microsoft Edge for Windows users.
iPhone:
The iPhone lineup for this year is arguably the most exciting thing about the event. Apple is bound to take a few steps to ensure the growth of its smartphone sales. Which have started to see a slight decline after the initial buzz of the iPhone X. The only solution which will help Apple out of that situation is to expand its customer base.
Via Spigen
For years, Apple stuck to manufacturing devices and delivering it to consumers. Unlike other manufacturers, Apple doesn’t focus much on market trends and what the consumers exactly want. They focused on bringing the best experience for users, but users never got much of a say in it. This might have started pinching them a little but as Apple is now looking to change their approach and cater to consumers.
We expect to see 3 variants of the iPhone which will cover a wide range of features, sizes and price. The devices will be called the iPhone Xs, the iPhone Xs Plus and the iPhone XC, according to reports. The iPhone Xs and Xs Plus will feature the same design as the iPhone X and will have OLED screens. The iPhone XC on the other hand, will feature an LCD display.
The sole reason for Apple to go in for the iPhone XC is to try to expand their market by offering a cheaper version of the iPhone. So lets find out all the rumours about these devices:
Design:
The iPhone Xs will sport a 5.8 inch screen while the iPhone Xs Plus has a 6.5 inch display. Both the devices sport a notch and design elements drawn majorly from the iPhone X. They will sport OLED displays and with glass bodies and stainless steel casing.
The cheaper, 6.1 inch iPhone XC on the other hand sports an LCD display. The display design is also based on the iPhone X. The device will sporting a glass body with an aluminium casing. The major design difference with the iPhone XC and the other two variants is the presence of only a single camera on the back.
All three of the devices will reportedly not have a Touch ID button and will fully depend on Face ID for its security. It is also rumoured that Apple will discontinue the 3D touch feature on the devices.
Processor:
The highlight of the new series of iPhones is the A12 bionic chipset from Apple. This is supposed to be a step up from the existing A11 bionic chip, which is already one of the fastest and most efficient chipsets out there. This is due to the manufacturing process behind the A12 chipset. The A12 chip uses the 7nm process as compared to the A11’s 10 nm process. This reduces the size of the transistors in the chip, allowing more transistors to fit into the same space. Therefore allowing for a better, smoother performance.
The A12 reportedly offers an increase in multi-core usability, supposed to bring up multi-core performance by 25-30%. The GPU performance is reported to have an even higher increment at 40%. This might not directly translate to gaming performance, according to experts. Analysts predict a real time number of around 25%. The A12 chip also gives a big boost to AI and machine learning. This will incorporate with the operating system to give better battery performance and camera results, according to reports.
Camera:
Alleged iPhone XC spotted
It is highly improbable that we will see a triple camera setup on the new iPhone. Reports indicate an improved sensor on the dual camera setup on the iPhone Xs and iPhone Xs Plus. Renders and leaks also reveal that the iPhone XC will however, only have a single rear camera. The camera sensors will be an improvement over last year’s devices in all senses. There will be better low light performance and enhanced AI integration to offer support in the portrait mode of the devices.
Battery:
All the three variants might have improved battery performance, more importantly they should. A flagship device in 2018 should meet numerous requirements to live up to tis name. One of the most important ones is a better battery life. It is obvious that the 6.5 inch iPhone Xs Plus will house a high battery, given its size and the demand from its display unit. Apart from this, the A12 bionic chipset will ensure better optimisation and longer battery life. Reports also suggest that Apple has worked on improving the idle battery life of the iPhones.
Price & Other Features:
Recent leaks also show that the devices will have dual SIM capabilities. The pricing of the devices is expected to cover a larger area so as to cater to a bigger consumer base. The iPhone XC is reported to be priced at CNY 5,888 which is around Rs 62,000. The iPhone XS is listed at CNY 7,388 and the iPhone XS Plus is at CNY 8,388 which are around Rs 77,980 and Rs 88,535 respectively.
iPad Pro:
The iPad Pro is expected to launch in a 12.9 inch and 10.5 inch variant. Numerous leaks and renders based on the said leaks have given us a fair idea about what the device may look like. The new iPad Pro will reportedly sport a sharper, bezel less design. We can also see the absence of a home button which could mean that the device is getting Face ID and that we won’t see touch ID anymore. However, the device will have to be vertical whenever you use Face ID as it doesn’t work horizontally.
It is also reported that the devices will sport an LCD display and not an OLED panel which is a bit disappointing. The iPad Pro will use the new A12X chipset and have 4 GB of RAM, according to reports. Storage will be variable, with options going up to 512 GB.
The iPad Pro will reportedly continue to offer Apple Pencil support and the smaller bezels will mean we will see a smaller device, despite the same screen size. The device is also rumoured to be dumping the lightning port to make way for a USB Type-C port.
The iPad Pro is expected to launch at Rs 54,999 for the 10.2 inch variant and Rs 64,999 for the 12.9 inch variant.
Apple Watch 4:
Latest reports suggest that Apple will be launching six brand new Apple Watch 4 models at the upcoming event. It is also reported that the devices will all sport ceramic backs and could possibly support LTE.
The device is also said to sport thinner bezels and will reportedly support electrocardiography (ECG) for advanced health tracking. The thinner bezels mean that we will get to see a larger display on a device the same size. The larger display can house more information and better optimisation of apps.
AirPods 2 & AirPower:
According to multiple reports, Apple is coming up with a successor to the already successful AirPods. The devices are said to sport a series of new features which will enhance the experience further. It is said that we will be able to summon Siri through the “Hey Siri” command rather than tapping the sides of the AirPods. Another widely expected feature is that of the launch of Apple’s AirPower wireless charging mat. This is highly relevant to the AirPods as it is rumoured that the AirPods 2 will support wireless charging.
And that’s not it, the new AirPods 2 are reported to support noise cancellation as well. Adding to this list is a report that they will be splash proof but not entirely waterproof.
MacBook:
We may be witness to the launch of an upgraded version of the MacBook. However, it is not clear whether this would replace the current 12 inch MacBook or whether it will be a totally different lineup. The new MacBook is reported to have a Touch ID sensor. The MacBook will also lack a TouchBar which we had seen in the MacBook Pro.
Certain speculations about an upgraded version of the MacBook Air is also doing the rounds, but this doesn’t seem too probable in the near future. Following the release of thinner, bezel less laptops at the IFA 2018, Apple might be looking as the new MacBook as an answer to the same.
With a wide range of products expected to be launched at this event, the level of excitement is higher than ever. With the power to change the course of the smartphone market, its time for Apple’s next big move.
Ever since the iPad Pro was launched, there has been a lot of talk around iPads replacing MacBooks in the future. While this sounds nice, it is hard to imagine that right now, considering the number of applications that work on macOS but not on iOS. Apart from the general OS compatibility issue, the maker of iPads and MacBooks itself isn’t sold on the idea. Tim Cook, CEO of Apple Inc., has reiterated that Apple has no intention of creating a hybrid tablet-notebook device anytime soon.
Six years ago, Tim Cook exclaimed that a MacBook and an iPad hybrid would lead to a lot of trade-offs which adversely impact usability.
Anything can be forced to converge, but the problem is that the products are about tradeoffs. You begin to make tradeoffs to the point where what you have left at the end of the day doesn’t please anyone. You can converge a toaster and a refrigerator, but you know, those things are probably not going to be pleasing to the user.
Six years later and Tim Cook is still not convinced. In a recent interview after Apple’s March 27th event, Tim Cook reiterated what he essentially said about six years ago.
We don’t believe in sort of watering down one for the other. Both [The Mac and iPad] are incredible. One of the reasons that both of them are incredible is because we pushed them to do what they do well. And if you begin to merge the two … you begin to make trade offs and compromises.
It is worth noting that Microsoft has had a fair amount of success with Surface Book lineup, which is essentially a Windows laptop and tablet hybrid. The Microsoft Surface Book lineup has a touch screen, a full-size keyboard and 180-degree foldable design. However, Apple still believes that the MacBook and iPad should not be converged. Both the MacBooks and iPads have been bestsellers in their domain so far. While MacBooks still don’t dominate the laptop industry, iPads have pretty much taken over the tablet industry. Only a handful Android tablets exist that can compete with an iPad.
While a hybrid of iPad and MacBook is far from being a reality, it appears that the iPhone SE 2 might be. At the upcoming WWDC 2018 conference, Apple is expected to launch the Apple iPhone SE 2. For more details, click here.
Most of the Notebook manufacturers use either Intel or AMD chipset. However, recently, companies like HP and Asus has started to launch notebook based on the Qualcomm chipsets. According to a report, Apple might replace the Intel processors on Macs to use its custom ARM chipsets. When Apple started making MacBooks and iMacs, the company initially used Motorola and IBM’s PowerPC chipsets. However, in 2005 Apple switched to Intel processor-based Macs.
The report suggests that the company is working on a new project named ‘Kalamata.’ The project is still in a nascent stage and this will help Apple to achieve seamless integration across its lineup including iPhone, iPad, iMac, and MacBook. This would also affect Intel, as 5% of its overall revenue generated comes from Apple. As soon as this news was out, Intel’s shares were down by 9.2%, which is the biggest intraday drop in the last two years.
However, Intel has not spoken a word about this development, and played safe:
We don’t comment on speculation about our customers
Apple Custom Chipset Specs
The processors will be manufactured by TSMC, which is the manufacturer of Apple A series chipsets for iPhones and iPads. These chipsets will use Arm’s technology. These processors are expected to offer better battery life and it will ease out the transition of unifying the iOS and macOS. The unification will be achieved using a new platform called ‘Marzipan’, which will be expected to go live in WWDC 2018 for developers.
Most of the notebook manufacturers like HP, Dell, and Asus wait for Intel or AMD to launch its latest chipset. If Apple develops its own chipset, then the company can be ahead of the competition. This will have a positive impact on Apple, as the company will have an all-around control over the components required for designing a device. This also means that the company will be able to launch newer Mac models with its own time frame. Additionally, this will help the company to integrate iOS and macOS on chipset level.
Recently, there has been a lot of demand for compact notebooks. Apple appears to be preparing to cash in on this demand by launching an affordable MacBook. A report suggests that Apple might launch a new MacBook in Q2 of 2018. This will be a successor of the 12 inch model that was updated in 2017. The device is expected to be priced similarly to the entry-level Air model or slightly higher than that.
The new Macbook is expected to go into mass production from June. These notebooks will be manufactured by two assembly chains. Quantum Computers have said to fulfil 70 percent orders and Foxconn will fulfil rest. Apple is aiming at 6 million device shipments. However, the actual volume is expected to reach 2/3rd of the target.
12 inch MacBook
The displays for the new notebook will be sourced from LG, as there is an issue with the Chinese supplier. The notebook will have a 13.3-inch display with a native 2560 x 1600 px resolution, similar to the current MacBook Pro lineup. Similarly, the upstream supply chain for the production of 2018 iPad Pro, and an inexpensive iPad 2018 have already begun. Also, the company is expected to launch the inexpensive iPad in Q2 of 2018 and the iPad Pro in the second half of 2018.
Expected features of Apple MacBook 2018
As mentioned, the notebook will have a 13.3 inch display with 2560 x 1600 px resolution. Under the hood, the notebook will have Intel’s latest Core M series chipset with up to 8GB RAM and 256GB storage. Similarly, the notebook will have a similar form factor as of the original iteration with a butterfly mechanism keypad.
The notebook might also feature Touch ID for the authentification. However, we do not expect the notebook to have Touch Bar.
The MacBook Air was originally launched in early 2008, which was highly appreciated for the design and a longer-lasting battery. In fact, the 2017 MacBook Air still resembles the original model, which was designed to fit inside an office-folder.
A report suggests that Apple might launch a more affordable MacBook Air in Q2 of 2018. The company will be able to improve MacBook shipments by 10 to 15%. In fact, Apple is expected to launch the newer model at the WWDC 2018.
The entry-level MacBook Air is priced at $999, which is the choice of notebook for the most of the college-going students. However, there were no major improvements in the last few iteration, as Apple is focusing on the 12-inch MacBook and the MacBook Pro. The report also claims that Apple is also expected to launch three new iPhones with Face ID. Similarly, the company is also expected to launch a new version of AirPods.
12 inch MacBook
Specifications
As suggested, the MacBook Air is expected to have a 1440 x 900 px 13 inch display. Under the hood, the notebook is expected to be powered by the Intel 8th Gen Core i5 chipset with 8GB RAM and 128GB or 256GB PCIe SSD storage. However, the report doesn’t say anything in particular about the hardware specifications.
The notebook is expected to retain all the ports, including 2x USB-A, SD card reader, and a mini display port. However, Apple might also go with the latest trend to offer a complete USB type C solution like the MacBook Pro lineup.
The notebook is expected to have a similar battery life as of the current MacBook Air with support for MagSafe 2. The device will be based on macOS High Sierra operating system.
Conclusion
The MacBook Air is a great notebook for the first time MacBook buyers. The notebook comes with an highly-optimised operating system with a premium user experience.
Apple will be holding an event on the 27th of October to launch the new revised and refreshed lineup of iMacs MacBooks and possibly new Peripherals like a new Airport Express and Extreme. The October 27 launch will start at 10:30PM IST, and will be available to watch via live streaming.
Rumours have pointed to a new design MacBook pro with a customisable OLED touch panel above the keyboard. Along with new hardware to match up with the latest est offerings from Intel. The new power button on the new Macs, will supposedly have a Touch ID sensor for added security. It is also speculated that the new Macs will ditch the 3.5mm headphone jack in order to make them extremely slim.
Leaked Macbook Case
There are also reports of a iMac Retina refresh with added Thunderbolt 3 ( USB Type C) with the newer hardware and added performance capability, Apple plans to remove the 11 inch MacBook Air from it’s lineup and add a new 13 inch model with USB Type C ports. Apple may also launch the new Apple TV which is expected to enable Apple Video, much like Apple Music a subscription service to take on the likes of Netflix and Amazon Prime Video.
Apple is also said to finally refresh it’s dying Thunderbolt Display with a new refreshed 5K monitor which will have an integrated GPU. All refreshes will be covered on iGyaan so mark your calendars for Oct 27th.
Apple’s Retina Macbook had a lot of buyers last year, despite its high price tag and low specs. This year Apple has updated the Retina MacBook and added a Rose Gold option, considering a lot of people seem to like that color. Spec wise changes include :
6th Generation Intel Core M 1.3-GHz processor
8 GB of 1866 MHz memory
Intel HD Graphics 515
PCIe-based flash storage
41.4-watt/hour lithium-polymer battery
Up to 10 hours of battery life
Rose gold color option
Things that should have changed but have not include a single USB TYPE C port and the pricing which has changed in India but not for good. The new Retina MacBook comes with a 1.1 GHz dual-core Intel Core m3 processor with Turbo Boost speeds up to 2.2 GHz, 8GB of memory and 256GB of flash storage for MRP INR 106900 , and with a 1.2 GHz dual-core Intel Core m5 processor with Turbo Boost speeds up to 2.7 GHz, 8GB of memory and 512GB of flash storage for MRP INR 129900. Configure-to-order options include a 1.3 GHz dual-core Intel Core m7 processor with Turbo Boost speeds up to 3.1 GHz.
While the US price remains at US $ 12999 for the 1.1 GHz variant and US$ 1599 for the 1.2 GHz variant.
Apple updated its MacBook range during this time last year, and fans and industry experts expect the tech giant to do the same this year too. Unlike how things have gone for the iPhone, Apple has managed to keep a tight lid on the information leaking out of Cupertino for its range of MacBooks.
But from whatever little is known courtesy of reports circulating on the Internet, one big upgrade that the 2016 MacBook range will see the inclusion of newer Skylake processors up from the present fifth-generation Broadwell chipsets. This upgrade could be significant in the sense that it will bring to the new lineup better performance with its improved hyperthreading architecture.
Additionally, for devices such as the MacBook Pro range the Skylake mobile CPUs are expected to deliver up to 2.5 times faster processing performance, 30 times better graphics performance, and three times the battery life of earlier generation processors owing to the 14nm chips used for manufacturing them.
To top it off Integrating Skylake will also allow the company’s complete lineup to run on the same core hardware from end to end, thus making life a lot easier for prospective customers around the globe.
Though there were rumors earlier of major design change, but such chatter has quietened a bit off late, and it is expected when it comes to aesthetic design no remodeling to the upcoming MacBooks will be seen.
Reports peg Apple to introduce the revamped MacBook lineup at its Worldwide Developers Conference in June, and possibly a larger 15-inch version could also be unveiled sometime in March which would be some surprise.
Just a couple of days after his comment on the Microsoft Surface Book where he called it “deluded”, Tim Cook has rubbished any rumours and speculations of a Macbook and iPad hybrid. This comment follows what Apple marketing head Phil Schiller said about the hybrid market. He sees it as a nascent realm unlikely to grow into anything significant.
Elaborating further, while talking to an Irish newspaper, Cook said any hybrid device would mean an inefficient product that would satisfy neither the iPad user nor the Macbook user.
“We feel strongly that customers are not really looking for a converged Mac and iPad. Because what that would wind up doing, or what we’re worried would happen, is that neither experience would be as good as the customer wants. So we want to make the best tablet in the world and the best Mac in the world. And putting those two together would not achieve either. You’d begin to compromise in different ways,” said Tim Cook, CEO, Apple
Do you think you’re taking full advantage of using one of the best computer systems in the world? Apple has hidden a few interesting hacks on your Apple MacBook, which are worth taking note of.
Here’s a list of 5 fun things you could do with your MacBook:
1. Have Your Emails Read to You, in an English Accent
Not only is it super simple to get your Mac to read out text for you, you can even pick and choose the voice/accent you like. To have text read out to you, highlight the text, right click and pick the ‘Speech’ option, followed by ‘Start Speaking’. To change the voice, visit ‘Diction and Speech’ in System Preferences. Since we’re partial towards English accents, we like ‘Daniel’ from United Kingdom read out our articles to us.
2. No, you don’t need to print a document to sign it.
In this age of technology, did you really think you had to print a document, sign it, and then scan it again? No. Those days are long gone. You can have signatures saved up on your Mac for quickly sending out a document.
To save your signature, launch the Adobe Reader, pick ‘Tools’ from the top bar and then ‘Annote’. Which will then give you the option to manage your signatures. Now ‘Create Your Signature’ by signing a white piece of paper and holding it up for the camera which has been launched.
This might sound like a tedious procedure, but it’s way better than relying on your printer/scanner in the future. Not just that, you can save multiple signatures at the same time.
3. Too Lazy to Open the Calculator? No Problem.
You can use the search bar of your computer to work out a quick calculation. It isn’t too hard to locate a calculator on your desktop, but this trick saves that extra second.
4. Selective Screenshot
We’re all aware that by using Command + 3, you can screenshot the entire screen, but have to tested out Command + 4? You can pick and choose exactly the area of the screen you’d like to grab, without getting the unnecessary background of your desktop.
5. Quickly hide your browser
For times when you’re sneakily keeping up with the Kardashians, this is a nifty trick everyone should know. Command + H, and your browser is instantly hidden. We suggest you keep an official looking document in the background, just to add authenticity.
Apple launched their first Macbook seven years back in 2008, showcasing an unimaginable super slim laptop to the world. Now the legacy lives on with Apple announcing its newest Macbook, which surprisingly will be called just the ‘Macbook’. Apple has yet again pushed the boundaries of laptop innovation which are simply commendable, though might have negated certain aspects.
One can’t deny that the new Macbook reinforces Apple’s philosophy yet again that computers are an extension of the person itself. Here are the coolest features of the new Macbook:
Edge to Edge Retina Display
The latest Macbook gets a 12-inch Retina display with a very small bezel, with a resolution of 2304×1440, and an aspect ratio of 16:10. The display quality is certainly quite a notch up compared to the new Macbook’s predecessors, with the screen built into something that is as thin as a file folder. Apple has again manged to pull of something unimaginable bearing in mind the technical limitations with making something so skinny.
Thinnest and Lightest, Ever
Talking about thin, the new Macbook redefines the concept of slim, it’s as thin as 13.1mm, compared to 17.3mm of the MacBook Air. It’s 24 percent thinner than the Air, the company mentioned at the event. The new Macbook weighs mere 2 pounds (lightest ever), which is amazingly only half a pound over the original iPad.
Redesigned Keyboard
The new Macbook gets an entirely redesigned 12-inch keyboard. A welcome change compared to the Macbook Air which is less than the full size. The keys have been revamped to a new butterfly mechanism that Apple claims offers more stability with improved keystroke force distribution.
Death of the Right Click
Steve Jobs had a vision years ago that the mouse needed only one button, and it seems his vision is finally realised as Apple has added the Force Touch trackpad. One of the most nerdy aspects about the newly unveiled device is the fact that it comes with a Force Touch trackpad. Force Touch was introduced with the Apple Watch, it is the mechanism which senses pressure. The Force Touch trackpad has force sensors that detect how much pressure you apply on its surface. So basically, it can tell the difference between a light tap and a deep press.
Death of the USB Ports
The new Macbook has a single USB-C which does everything from charging, to transferring data, sending videos etc. There’s only one port which means you cannot simultaneously charge your laptop or your phone. This is probably a byproduct of their quest to make the thinnest Macbook possible (and make our lives tange-free.)
Apple has yet again gone against industry standards. In 1998, Apple surprised everyone as its iMac G3 did not include a floppy drive.
Improved Battery Performance
Apple claims to have added a new, custom-shaped battery that maximizes every millimeter of space, helping the MacBook achieve an all-day battery life. It gets a slightly beefier battery unit than the 11-inch Macbook Air and can deliver 9 hours when on Wi-Fi, and 10 hours watching iTunes video.
What Lies Beneath
Barring all the phenomenal exterior changes, significant changes have been made under the hood. For starters, the new Macbook gets Intel’s Core M processor, which consumes less power and produces less heat. The exact model of the chipset is yet unknown but its likely a tweaked 1.1 Ghz Intel Core M, which offers slightly less processing power than your standard Core i5 or i7, though offer better and efficient power management.
Pricing
Okay this might be a “cool” feature, but for most of us pricing would play a major factor. The words ‘Apple’ and ‘budget’ don’t blend in so well, and this holds true for the new Macbook. It comes in two variants, 256GB (1.2GHz Intel Core M) priced at $1299, which is notably higher than the 11-inch Macbook Air. And the second configuration for $1599 features the 12-inch Retina display, 1.2GHz Intel Core M, Intel HD Graphics 5300, 8GB memory.
The new Macbook certainly has features that would give Mac buyers more than one reason to upgrade. The new Retina display, better power management, ultra portability and with significant price cuts, the new Macbook should attract new potential buyers.
Apple will be holding an event today, the 9th of March where it will finally launch its long teased Apple Watch. This is a whole new product segment for Apple, and the industry is waiting to get their hands on the device to see for themselves if it matches the hype.
There might be some hidden surprises at the event, but here’s what you can expect to see:
The Battery Fiasco
The battery has been a cause of concern for the potential consumers. It has been claimed in multiple reports that the Apple Watch might have a dismal battery backup. Some reports even went on to say that the device might just have a battery life for 5 hours of active usage while others said it might run for two-three days on low power mode. Replying to the concerns, Apple Chief, Tim Cook recently said that the Apple Watch will run for a full day, and its charging will be faster than the iPhone. We will finally get to know more details on the battery performance and will also learn how Apple plans on increasing the battery efficiency of the device.
Apps Maketh The Watch
Apple Watch is first of all a smart device, and the smartness of the device depends on the apps it has to offer. During its launch, Apple showed some amazing clock faces including the amazing Astronomy and Disney based watch faces. It also has some unique gesture supports that will make it easy to use and to interact with others.
At present, the apps on the device will work in conjunction with the iPhone apps. The company plans to bring native Watch apps in the future. Apple has already said that the Watch will support Apple Pay, which means the device has NFC so we might also see some NFC-based apps too. Tim Cook has already said that Watch might replace the car keys in the near future.
What’s The Price, Eh?
During the unveiling of the Apple Watch, its price was stated to be $349, which is expected to be the price of the basic variant of the device, the Watch Sport. The price of Apple’s other Watch offering is yet unknown. Apple has also brought the Edition collection of the watch which are made of premium materials such as Rose Gold surface and Sapphire Crystal display. These smartwatches will also come with a multitude of strap and accessory options. Though, for Apple customers, pricing is not a major issue, but this time around they’ll probably be cautious before buying an all new device. Some reports have indicated a price of above $1000 as the average price for the device, which sounds a bit exorbitant. With that hefty a price tag Apple has to make a good case for its product to attract users to its Watch corner.
Hmm… What Else?
Apart from the major Apple Watch launch, the Cupertino-based tech giant is also expected to bring out some new upgraded devices in its other product line-up. 9to5mac had reported in January that Apple might be ready to bring a 12 inch-notebook that would probably have a body similar to the current 11-inch MacBook Air. This new device is only expected to hold two ports, a headphone jack and the new C-Type reversible USB port. This new laptop will also do away with the internal fans and the touchpad, so this seems to be one of the usual experiments of Apple for the market whose success can influence future product designs. The lack of ports might disappoint potential buyers, but Apple might just end up introducing a new accessory to address consumer plight.
Apple might also introduce iOS 8.2 with Apple Watch support. This new update will have the new companion app for the Watch and will let you use the device in conjunction with your iOS devices. The new emoji’s, which got the fans excited will only arrive after a few months when Apple brings out the iOS 8.3.
To Conclude
Overall, it’s a show about the new Apple Watch and it is targeted at the customers who have been eagerly waiting to own the companion device for their iPhones. While we know about most of the features of the Watch, Apple will be making its final case before bringing the device out for the customers to try. The smartwatch segment of the market is slowly coming to maturity and with Apple’s addition to the list, all major brands have placed their contenders in the market. We have to wait till next quarter to know how Apple’s latest product segment is received by the public.
Come back to iGyaan to know more about the details of the Apple event on Monday.
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