Originally published at: http://appletalk.com.au/2016/10/monday-morning-news241016/
With an Apple event later this week, analyst Ming-Chi Kuo has released a set of predictions for the Mac lineup. Kuo’s latest report claims Apple will be releasing an updated MacBook Pro in both 13 and 15-inch sizes, with the OLED touch bar, Touch ID, Thunderbolt 3, USB-C, and the same keyboard tech found in the MacBook. Kuo also thinks Apple will release a 13-inch MacBook, which is either expected to be an updated version of the MacBook Air or a slightly larger version of the current MacBook.
With a big question mark over the inclusion of USB-C in Apple’s next MacBook Pro, Kuo speculates Apple may debut a “MagSafe-like” USB-C adapter. THe adapter would be used for charging and the connection of peripherals, much like it is on the 12-inch MacBook. The next-generation MacBooks will also have Skylake processors and the option of 2TB SSD storage.
Stephen Hackett’s notebook rumour roundup has the best of the rest of the rumours. He thinks the 11-inch MacBook Air will be killed off, but as for whether the new MacBook Pro will have more than one port, we might have to wait until Friday for that answer.
Macworld’s Dan Moren writes that it’s logical for Apple to want to adopt what works on iPhones and iPads and apply them to Macs. I guess it’s equally as important that Apple provide enough ways to connect peripherals, even if that means an extra dongle here or there. But just like Apple removed the headphone jack so we could have a bigger battery and better haptics in the iPhone, there’s got to be some kind of tradeoff for every port removed.
Data from app analytics company App Annie says China has become the largest market for Apple software. China made over $1.7 billion in App Store revenue in Q3 2016, giving it a noticeable lead over the US.
Apple’s store-within-a-store in Paris, originally designed to sell Apple Watch units, is rumoured to be closing after poor sales. Despite Apple’s best efforts to market the Apple Watch as a high-fashion accessory along the likes of Chanel and Hermes, it just hasn’t worked out.
John Gruber is telling us to not hold our breath for an iPhone Edition. If there is a major redesign next year, it will be purely coincidental with the iPhone’s tenth anniversary. Apple releases the best iPhone that it can at any given time, and one of the best things about the iPhone is that you can’t buy an iPhone that’s better than any other iPhone. Just like Coke.
Data from the Jamf user conference says IBM spends less on Mac support costs in the enterprise. Our topic on Macs flat-out costing less than PCs has struck a nerve with some, who claim that Apple arbitrarily drops support for Macs and are therefore more expensive to own.
Sonos speakers are now available in both Apple’s online and physical stores. Those looking to pick up a Sonos speaker can also get an 3-month Apple Music gift card for a limited time, along with every other advantage that shopping with Apple has — including their generous return policy.
Six Colours tells us about Mini Metro, a new game that’s kind of like designing the transportation system for a city. You lose when a station gets too crowded, and there’s no endless mode like there is on the desktop version of the game, but other than it seems to be pretty fun.