The newest Apple TV 4K appears to be Apple’s final hardware release for 2022 because it doesn’t appear that any Mac improvements will occur before the start of next year.
The holiday shopping season and software updates like iOS 16.2, which will include a lot of new features and improvements when they are published in another month or so, are still on the calendar for the remainder of the year. Continue reading for more information on these stories and others from this week, which included rumors about upcoming devices like the iPhone 15 and iPhone SE 4!
iOS 16.2 Expected to Launch in Mid-December With Several New Features
After the seeding of initial betas of iOS 16.2 and associated updates last week, we now have an estimated time frame for their public release, with Bloomberg‘s Mark Gurman indicating they will launch in mid-December.
The updates will bring a number of new features including Live Activities integration for select sports games via the built-in TV app, a new Sleep widget for the iPhone Lock Screen, the new Freeform collaboration app across iPhone, iPad, and Mac, and more.
Gurman: Apple Planning No New Mac Releases For Remainder of 2022
It appears that the earlier speculations that claimed we would get some Mac improvements before the end of the year are no longer true. Updated Mac models including the MacBook Pro, Mac mini, and Mac Pro won’t be available until at least the first quarter of 2023, according to Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman.
The assertion is consistent with statements made by Apple CFO Luca Maestri during the company’s earnings conference call last week, in which he said that Apple’s “product lineup is fixed” for the Christmas and that Mac sales will experience a significant year-over-year fall in the current quarter.
Kuo: iPhone 15 Pro Models to Feature Solid-State Buttons and Three Taptic Engines
The volume and power buttons on next year’s iPhone 15 models may no longer be mechanical buttons and could transition to a solid-state design, according to analyst Ming-Chi Kuo.
The tactile click of the side buttons on upcoming models may be replaced by haptic feedback using two extra Taptic Engines, similar to the Home button on iPhone 7 and later devices with Touch ID.
The modification would occur at the same time that Apple switches its 2019 iPhone models from Lightning to USB-C ports, the first change to the hardware connector in more than a decade.
Apple TV 4K 2022 Reviews: Faster and More Affordable With HDR10+ Support and USB-C Remote, But Largely Unchanged
The third-generation Apple TV 4K was released this week, marking what appears to be Apple’s final product launch of 2022. In advance of the debut on Friday, online reviews from a variety of media outlets and YouTubers were published. On the day of the unveiling, we also performed a quick unboxing and hands-on with the new box.
A small improvement, the new Apple TV offers quicker performance, HDR10+ support, a USB-C charging connector on the remote, and a lighter, slimmer fanless design. Most significantly, it is less expensive.
Apple Has Not Finalized Details for iPhone SE 4 Display, 5.7″ to 6.1″ OLED and LCD Screens Under Consideration
Apple’s entry-level iPhone SE still has a Home button and huge top and bottom display bezels, but it seems like the 2024 update will feature a display that is significantly larger than the 4.7-inch one currently available.
Although display analyst Ross Young claimed this week that Apple is considering alternatives that include a 6.1-inch OLED display and a 5.7-inch or 6.1-inch LCD display, it is unclear exactly what that upgrade will include.
Apple Now Selling Refurbished M2 MacBook Air Models
M2 MacBook Air devices have begun to show up on Apple’s online store for refurbished goods only a few months after their July launch.
Apple’s refurbished items go through a thorough reconditioning process to make them nearly equivalent to brand-new machines, and the store is now giving a discount of about 10% compared to the cost of new products. Refurbished devices are also covered by AppleCare and come with the same 14-day return policy and one-year standard guarantee.
