If recent rumours are any sign, Apple is planning quite a few new products for 2014. The often reliable Ming Chi Kuo, an analyst with KGI securities, has put together what could well be the Apple 2014 product roadmap. With a quiet Q1 behind us, Q2 looks to also be fairly quiet but a busy Q3 could see a number of announcements come in quick succession and continue into Q4.
Up first if Kuo is correct will be an iMac upgrade including a lower-cost model in late Q2. In late Q3, Apple will unveil first an updated iPad Air and iPad mini lineup. This will be followed by the long-rumoured iWatch, available in two sizes, and the new iPhone with a larger 4.7-inch display. Q4 will kick off with an updated Apple TV and a new 12-inch MacBook Air along with a refresh for the MacBook Pro line. Q4 announcements will wrap up with the new 5.5-inch iPhone.
Kuo expects that the Apple iWatch will come with a choice of 1.3- or 1.5-inch flexible AMOLED displays. To be available at multiple price points topping out at over US$1,000, it will come with biometric functionality (including user recognition), NFC connectivity, wireless charging, a battery between 200 and 250mAh and a sapphire cover lens. Needless to say, it will work with Apple’s iPhone, iPad and Mac devices. It also promises a “fashionable appearance.”
As for the new iPhone 6, the smaller model will sport a 4.7-inch display with a resolution of 1334 by 750 pixels (326PPI) while the larger one will have a 5.5-inch display sporting Full HD (1080×1920) resolution (401PPI). Both will come with an Apple A8 processor, 1GB of RAM, cameras with OIS and Touch ID. Kuo also expects narrower bezels, thickness between 6.5 and 7 millimeters and NFC integration. The 64GB 5.5-inch model could also come with a sapphire display.
The new iPads are expected to also gain an A8 processor and Touch ID. Supporting earlier rumours, Kuo does not expect Apple to launch the oft-rumoured 12.9-inch iPad Pro in 2014. Also also reported by earlier rumours, the new MacBook Air will come with a 12-inch display and a new thinner fanless design.
Apple’s iMac and MacBook Pro are also in line for a number of upgrades but more evolutionary than revolutionary it appears.
All in all, the second half of the year promises to be quite interesting when it comes to what Apple has in store for us.
Source : MacRumors