Apple might debut new Mac products as early as October 2016 and is also planning to release stylus-enhancing iPad software updates in the near future, according to prolific Apple leaker Mark Gurman of Bloomberg.
Bloomberg’s expansive report, which shares information from unnamed sources that are “familiar with the matter,” contradicts recent rumours that new Macs will be released during Apple’s upcoming September 7th mobile unveiling event, instead pushing the expected release back by at least a month.
Anticipation for new Mac products is already high, considering the only Mac debut this year has been the less-than groundbreaking 12-inch 2016 MacBook.
Bloomberg states the update Mac line will include “tweaked” MacBook Airs with multi-functional USB-C technology, iMacs with an option for new graphics chips from AMD and a thinner MacBook Pro with a flatter keyboard.
The Pro will also have an intriguing new feature, according to Gurman’s sources, which shows digital versions of function keys — generally relegated to physical buttons that run along the top of the keyboard — on the bottom of the computer’s display. The function options shown will change depending on application. For instance, the function for searching words and phrases is displayed front and center in the Safari browser, while functions for cutting clips and sliding volume is key in iMovie.
This feature will be a part of the Sierra macOS, which could be released as early as the end of September, say the sources.
In addition, Bloomberg details an iPad update that will reportedly give the Apple Pencil stylus more purpose by letting users annotate with the tool in many more applications, including Mail, Safari and iMessage. This update could take place in either an iOS10 upgrade in early 2017, or launch with the next version of iOS.
Bloomberg also briefly mentions that Apple is working on a standalone 5K monitor with LG, which would offer over seven times as many pixels as 1080p displays.
Related: Apple to unveil next iPhone on September 7
[source]Bloomberg[/source]
