Next week, on 9 September, Apple will reveal new technologies at a special event in San Francisco and Siliconrepublic.com will be there. Ahead of the big reveal, here are our predictions based on the never-ceasing rumour mill about what Apple’s doing next.
Last week, Apple issued invitations to the press with the enigmatic tagline, “Hey Siri, give us a hint.”
The big reveal will happen at 10am Pacific time (5pm GMT) on Wednesday, 9 September, and it will be held at the Bill Graham Civic Auditorium in San Francisco.
As usual, only Apple really knows what it is going to reveal, but here are our predictions:
1. iPhone 6s and 6s Plus
There is no doubt about it – the event’s main star will be the iPhone.
The new devices will have a reinforced body constructed from stronger 7000 Series aluminium.
The button on the device will be replaced by a force-touch keypad.
The new devices will also boast the A9 processor, 2Gb of RAM and a new camera.
Apple is also expected to retain the same storage tiers as offered in the iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus – 16GB, 64GB and 128GB – despite questions about whether 16GB is sufficient if it is true that the new smartphone will come with rumoured 4K video recording capabilities.
2. iOS 9
iOS 9 is shaping up to be Apple’s most ambitious iOS update yet, with capabilities including split screen for iPads. It’s auspicious that 9 September (ninth of the ninth, get it?) is the date for the special event.
Various rumours suggest new Wi-Fi calling features for AT&T users, a feature currently available on T-Mobile and Sprint.
Another feature expected in iOS 9 is a revamped Notes app that lets you draw on the screen, take photos within the app and add bullet points, Evernote-style. Notes will also integrate better with iCloud.
iOS 9 may also herald new update features. Previously, iOS required 4GB of free space to update to a new OS, but now users may need less than 2GB.
Battery life is also expected to be seriously enhanced with iOS 9, with a new low power mode option expected that could add up to three hours of extra use, as well as one hour of extra battery life, by making apps and key technologies more efficient.
Also due to arrive with iOS 9 is the new Apple News app, which will include more than 50 publishers when it launches.
3. Apple TV fourth generation
Apple is expected to reveal a redesigned Apple TV that will have a new chassis, an A8 processor, more storage space and a touch-based remote control, as well as Siri support.
The update to the Apple TV brand will mark the fourth iteration of the hardware, to bring itself up-to-date with the features found in Apple’s iPhones and Macs.
There have also been rumours that Apple’s much-rumoured streaming service may finally be unveiled.
The new Apple TV devices are expected to go on sale in October and are rumoured to cost between US$149 and US$199.
4. iPad Pro
In addition to the new iPhone 6s and 6s Plus smartphones and Apple TV, one wildcard rumour that won’t die is the idea of Apple revealing a larger iPad Pro device aimed at enterprise users.
The fabled device is expected to have a 12.9-inch screen and will be a great ambassador for the new split screen features expected to arrive with iOS 9.
Other rumours suggest a Force Touch-friendly stylus, but, again, that’s a wildcard, as Apple have never gone down the stylus route.
5. New 21.5-inch Mac 4K
Last October, on the 30th anniversary of the Macintosh computer’s birth, Apple launched its 27-inch iMac with Retina 5K, a stunning new benchmark in computer display technology.
The latest rumours suggest that Apple is planning to release a new version of its 21.5-inch iMac with a 4K display and, while this may not happen at the 9 September event, it could follow in October.
According to reports, the new 21.5-inch iMac’s 4K display will have a resolution of 4096×2304.
San Francisco image via Shutterstock
