HEADLINES.ID - Apple fans, rejoice! After a lengthy hiatus, an Apple event is finally scheduled for May 7th, 2024. While it's anticipated to be a concise, pre-recorded presentation, the star of the show will undoubtedly be the long-awaited refresh of the iPad lineup, the first in over a year and a half. Mark your calendars and get ready to see what innovative products Apple has in store.
This week's tech news also included exciting announcements from Apple's Beats brand, a glimpse of potential updates coming to stock apps in iOS 18, and Apple's evolving policies in the EU under the Digital Markets Act. Let's delve deeper into these stories.
May 7th Apple Event: A Look at What's to Come
The curtain rises on Apple's first event of 2024 on May 7th at 7:00 AM Pacific Time. To prepare you, we've compiled a comprehensive pre-event guide outlining the anticipated unveilings. Several new products are rumored to be showcased, including two upgraded iPad Pro models, a duo of new iPad Air models, an improved Apple Pencil, and a redesigned Magic Keyboard for iPads.
One particularly surprising rumor emerged this week. Bloomberg's Mark Gurman suggests a "strong possibility" that the next iPad Pro models might boast Apple's next-generation M4 chip, surpassing the M3 chip that debuted in the MacBook Pro and iMac just six months ago. Gurman believes the M4 chip could offer a significantly enhanced Neural Engine capable of accelerating artificial intelligence (AI) tasks. Additionally, whispers suggest the new Apple Pencil may incorporate haptic feedback.
M4 Chip for the New iPad Pro: Fact or Fiction?
Will the upcoming iPad Pro models truly sport the M4 chip instead of the M3? Or will this rumor fade into oblivion like the flat-edged Apple Watch Series 7 speculation of a few years back? While it would be a first for an M-series chip to debut on an iPad before a Mac, some evidence supports the possibility. Dive into our dedicated article for a deeper exploration of this intriguing rumor.
Beats Solo Buds Hit the Scene in June for $79.99
Apple unveiled two new Beats headphone models this week: the on-ear Beats Solo 4 and the compact Beats Solo Buds. Launching in June, the Beats Solo Buds are particularly noteworthy due to their competitive price point of just $79.99. Key features include ear tips in four sizes for a personalized fit, up to 18 hours of battery life, a USB-C carrying case, and Find My support on both iOS and Android devices. However, it's important to note that the Solo Buds lack active noise cancellation, and the carrying case doesn't boast a built-in battery.
In other Beats news, both LeBron James and Daniel Ricciardo have been spotted sporting an unreleased speaker that bears a striking resemblance to the discontinued Beats Pill family. This suggests a potential comeback for the popular portable speaker in the near future.
iOS 18: A Rumored Feature Bonanza for 16 iPhone Apps
With Apple's annual developers conference, WWDC, just under six weeks away, the iOS 18 beta is fast approaching. Rumors suggest that iOS 18 will bring significant upgrades to a multitude of built-in iPhone apps, including Apple Music, Messages, Calculator, Notes, Safari, and many more. We recently compiled a detailed breakdown of the anticipated per-app features, so be sure to check out the list for a comprehensive overview.
Apple Confirms iPadOS to Mirror EU App Changes Seen in iOS This Fall
Following the EU's ruling classifying the iPad as a "gatekeeper" platform, Apple has confirmed that all the app-related changes recently implemented on iPhones in the EU will also apply to iPads in the region starting this fall. Apple has six months to comply with the Digital Markets Act on the iPad, which means users can likely expect to see alternative app marketplaces, support for web browser engines besides WebKit, and more features by the time iPadOS 18.1 rolls around.
