Various lekers this morning proposed the idea on March 23 for Apple’s next product event. Apple often holds spring events to announce new products, but that’s not a guarantee. Depending on the year, Apple sometimes exposes products via press releases, like last year with the iPad Pro 2020.
The lines are currently blurring because ‘Apple events’ are all being held virtually due to the pandemic, but the biggest difference between an event and press release is the inclusion of a prepared screenplay video presentation.
What is expected for March 23? It remains somewhat unclear, but there are persistent rumors surrounding AirTags, Apple’s rival for the Tile tracker, new iPads and AirPods updates.
In the latest iOS 14.5 beta, Apple has activated the Items tab in the Find My app for all users. This is a good indication that Apple’s Bluetooth tracking product is on hand (after about two years of rumors that the product is in development). However, the Items tab is also used by third-party accessories that are integrated with the Find My network, so that the two things are not technically inextricably linked.
We also heard rumors about updating the iPad Pro series, perhaps with upgraded screen technology and a faster A14X chip. Apple refreshed the iPad Pro last year with the addition of a LiDAR depth scanner, but otherwise the device was mostly unchanged.
There were also leaks of new third-generation AirPods, which will use many of the features of their more expensive AirPod Pro siblings. However, it is unclear whether they are ready for launch this month.
Apple also further raised speculation about this year’s Mac product range last week by discontinuing the iMac Pro. A radically redesigned iMac with thin rings and Apple silicone inside is expected to be released this year, with the termination of the iMac Pro indicating that this will happen sooner rather than later. New 14-inch and 16-inch MacBook Pro models are expected to launch in 2021 as well, but it looks like Apple would be planning something for fall rather than spring.
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