The updated iPad Air that Apple is expected to unveil at tomorrow's "Peek Performance" event could include the same M1 chip that's featured in the 2021 iPad Pro, according to information shared by 9to5Mac. Last year's iPad Pro was the first iPad to get Apple's M-series chip, and adding the M1 to the iPad Air would put iPad Air performance on par with the current iPad Pro models and the 2020 MacBook Air, 13-inch MacBook Pro, and Mac mini.
All prior rumors about the iPad Air have suggested that it will be similar to the iPad mini, featuring the same A15 chip along with 5G connectivity. Adding the M1 to the iPad Air would make it very similar to the more expensive top-of-the-line iPad Pro, and if Apple does opt to do so, ProMotion display technology (with mini-LED in the 12.9-inch model) and the LiDAR camera would be the main differences between the iPad Air and the iPad Pro lines.
The M1 chip features a 8-core CPU and a 7 to 8-core GPU, and comparatively, the A15 chip has a 6-core CPU and 5-core GPU, so the M1 does offer some speed improvements over the A-series chips.
Apple's "Peek Performance" event will kick off at 10:00 a.m. Pacific Time tomorrow, so we don't have much more time before we learn exactly what chip Apple is adding to the iPad Air. We'll have coverage here at MacRumors.com and on our MacRumorsLive Twitter account.
Apple is planning to replace the notch in some of the iPhone 14 models that are launching this year, with the iPhone 14 Pro and 14 Pro Max set to gain a design that features a pill-shaped cutout that will house the Face ID elements and a second hole for the selfie camera.
We've heard this rumor multiple times before, but display analyst Ross Young today reiterated his expectations for the iPhone 14 lineup and provided some color on what's coming in the future.
The pill-shaped Face ID cutout + camera cutout combination is going to be about the same width as the notch, according to Young, but it will "certainly save some pixels above the holes."
After implementing the new design in the iPhone 14 Pro models, Young believes that Apple will expand it to the entire iPhone 15 lineup in 2023, bringing the updated look to even the lower-cost iPhone 15 options.
Young says that there's a chance the pill and holes could get smaller in 2023 than they are in 2022, freeing up more display space. Citing leaks on Chinese social network Weibo, Young speculates that the camera cutout in the iPhone 14 could measure in at 5.631mm, which leaves room to shrink it down next year.
Apple does have plans to eventually replace Face ID with under panel Face ID that would not necessitate a pill-shaped cutout for the hardware, but this technology is not expected to be ready for the 2023 iPhone launch.
However, we have heard from a few sources that under panel Face ID won't likely meet the timing for 2023 mass production. Part of this could potentially be related to coordination between the display and sensor teams. Of course, at least two of their suppliers would also have to be qualified to produce it in mass production. Companies we talked to did not expect it to launch in 2023.
Young also has information about the iPhone display roadmap from 2024 to 2027, but it requires a subscription to DSCC Weekly Review, Young's publication that is aimed at those who follow display-related stocks and is thus quite pricey.
Google today announced that updates made to the Chrome browser have improved performance on Apple's Macs, with Google Chrome earning a score over 300 on the Speedometer benchmark that evaluates the responsiveness of a browser.
In a post on the Chromium blog, Google explains the technological improvements that have been introduced over the past months to make Chrome the "fastest possible browser." Google says that in the M99 release of Chrome, which is the newest version, it was able to "substantially" increase browser speeds across all major platforms.
Building on many performance changes over the last year, we enabled ThinLTO in M99, a build optimization technique that prioritizes code focused on browser speed. The result? An additional across-the-board speed bump that makes Chrome 7 percent faster than Safari.
Since Chrome launched for M1 Macs in late 2020, optimizations have made the browser 43 percent faster in 15 months. According to Google, Chrome is now 15 percent faster than Safari when it comes to graphics performance, and the company says it will continue to invest in innovative features that "push the performance of Chrome."
Apple and Comcast today announced that Apple TV+ will be available across Xfinity X1, Xfinity Flex, and XClass TV on all eligible devices starting today and in the coming days.
As part of the expansion of TV+ across Comcast services, Apple will be offering Xfinity customers access to the "first seasons of many of its most popular shows, as well as the blockbuster Apple Original film “Greyhound" for free, without any sign up required.
Customers who are not currently subscribed to Apple TV+ will be able to receive a three-month free trial of the streaming platform when they sign up on their Xfinity device by April 25.
Apple TV+'s expansion to Comcast services was teased by the company's CEO in October. "Our work with Comcast lights up that experience for tens of millions of new devices, and we are thrilled that so many Comcast customers have a compelling way to enjoy their new favorite shows on Apple TV+," said Peter Stern, Apple's vice president of services.
Apple may release a new 30W power adapter with a new form factor design in 2022, reputable analyst Ming-Chi Kuo said in a tweet today.
Kuo said the power adapter will utilize gallium nitride or "GaN" technology, which allows for smaller, lighter, and more power efficient chargers than silicon-based chargers. The new 30W adapter would likely be a smaller and lighter version of Apple's existing 30W USB-C power adapter that is included with the latest MacBook Air.
Apple may release its next GaN charger in 2022, which supports about 30W and has a new form factor design.
— 郭明錤 (Ming-Chi Kuo) (@mingchikuo) March 7, 2022
Many third-party brands like Anker and Belkin have introduced GaN-based chargers over the last few years for use with Apple products.
Apple's long-awaited consumer-level display, reportedly set to be called the "Studio Display," will launch tomorrow during Apple's "Peek Performance" event, according to a new rumor from YouTuber Luke Miani.
In a video showcasing renders alleged to be the upcoming "Mac Studio," Miani also shares renders of the "Studio Display." According to the YouTuber who has an unverified track record when it comes to sharing Apple's plans, the display will measure 27-inches in size with slightly larger bezels than the Pro Display XDR and no rear pattern. The renders show a design similar to Apple's 24-inch iMac, but with a black front bezel and without any visible external ports, although one port would be required for connecting to a computer.
Yesterday, renowned Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo said he expects Apple to release a consumer-level display in a 27-inch size without mini-LED this year, and if today's rumor turns out to be true, it'll launch as soon as tomorrow. Today's rumor sheds no light on the potential price of the display, but a price tag around $1,000 seems reasonable given its rumored specifications.
Apple's event will kick off at 10:00 a.m. Pacific Time on Tuesday, March 8. In addition to being streamed on YouTube, the event can also be watched through the events webpage and in the Apple TV app. If you're unable to watch, you can tune in to MacRumors on the site or through our MacRumorsLive Twitter account. For a detailed rundown of everything we expect, see our guide.
Apple plans to introduce a new green color option for the iPhone 13 and iPhone 13 mini at its "Peek Performance" event tomorrow, according to Luke Miani, host of a tech channel on YouTube. This would be similar to Apple announcing a purple color option for the iPhone 12 and iPhone 12 mini at its April 2021 event last year.
Miani said Apple also plans to introduce a purple color option for the iPad Air, as is already available for the iPad mini. A new iPad Air as a whole is expected, with key new features rumored to include an A15 chip, an upgraded 12-megapixel Ultra Wide front camera with Center Stage support, 5G for cellular models, and Quad-LED True Tone flash.
Mockups of what the new colors could look like were shared by concept artist Ian Zelbo, and more details are available in an AppleTrack blog post.
Apple's virtual "Peek Performance" event takes place on Tuesday at 10 a.m. Pacific Time, with a video stream to be available on Apple's website and YouTube. MacRumors will have full coverage of the event as it unfolds, with other rumored announcements including a new iPhone SE, a so-called "Mac Studio" desktop computer, a new external display, and more.
Renders alleged to be the "Mac Studio," described as a hybrid between a Mac Pro and Mac mini, have surfaced online just a day before Apple holds its "Peek Performance" event, where at least one new Mac is expected to be announced.
The renders were shared by YouTuber Luke Miani, and shows a design similar to the Mac mini, with a very similar footprint but approximately four-inches tall compared to the Mac mini at 1.4 inches.
The Mac Studio, according to the renders, will feature an LED light on the front and a thermal design on the bottom for heat. The renders do not include details on the types of ports on the Mac Studio, although Miani says in an accompanying post on AppleTrack it will feature a "wide array of IO" with more USB-C ports than the current M1 Mac mini, which only includes two ports.
Other specifications, including what chips the machine will run, are also not included in the newly leaked information, but Miani says Apple will "unequivocally" announce the Mac Studio during its event tomorrow.
Last week, 9to5Mac reported on the existence of the "Mac Studio," describing it as a hybrid between Apple's highest-end Mac, the Mac Pro, and the Mac mini. The publication believes the "Mac Studio" will be the smaller Mac Pro previously reported by Bloomberg'sMark Gurman. There are reportedly two different versions of the Mac Studio in development, one with the M1 Pro chip, and another with an even more powerful Apple silicon processor.
Apple is likely to announce at least one new Mac during its event on Tuesday, March 8. Rumors have suggested a new high-end Mac mini and updated 13-inch MacBook Pro are the most likely, but Apple is also working on a redesigned MacBook Air and a new iMac. For his part, Miani says he does not expect any Mac notebooks to be introduced at tomorrow's event.
For a full rundown of everything we expect Apple to announce tomorrow, be sure to check out our guide.
40 percent of iPhone users intend to buy the third-generation iPhone SE, according to the findings of a survey by SellCell.
Of the survey respondents that plan to buy the iPhone SE, 24 percent plan to use it as their main device, while 16 percent plan to give the device as a gift or use it as a secondary device. While most iPhone SE 3 buyers plan to use the device themselves, 10.9 percent plan to buy the device for a child, 10.2 percent plan to buy it for their partner or spouse, and 7.8 percent plan to buy it for a family member such as a parent or grandparent.
Most customers are planning to buy the third-generation iPhone SE because of its price point, but 15.2 percent are mainly attracted to 5G connectivity, 11.3 percent prefer its compact form factor, and 6.7 percent prefer the Home Button with Touch ID.
Most users upgrading to the iPhone SE will be upgrading from the iPhone 11, accounting for 11.5 percent of models that users intend to part ways with once the new iPhone SE launches. Beyond the iPhone 11, 6.8 percent are planning to upgrade from the iPhone XR and 6.7 percent are planning to upgrade from the iPhone 12, but there is widespread appetite to switch to the iPhone SE across multiple iPhone generations, from the iPhone 6 through to the iPhone 13 Pro Max.
Of the users who are not planning to buy the new iPhone SE, 66.2 percent said that they are still happy with their current iPhone model, 9.3 percent are waiting for the iPhone 14 lineup to launch, 4.1 percent say that the device is too small, and three percent say that it is not premium enough.
The independent survey asked 2,549 adult iPhone owners in the United States about their thoughts on the third-generation iPhone SE. For a more detailed breakdown, see SellCell's full survey breakdown.
WhatsApp is working on letting users conduct polls within groups on the chat platform, the latest beta for iOS has revealed (via WABetaInfo).
The coming ability to create polls within WhatsApp groups was confirmed in screenshots that show the process of setting one up, with users able to ask a poll question and group members able to choose from pre-defined answers.
Polls will only be available in WhatsApp groups and are end-to-end encrypted, meaning only people in the group can see the poll and the results.
A polls feature can already be found in rival messaging app Telegram, which is home to thousands of communities thanks to similar features dedicated to making groups more functional. Telegram introduced group polls in 2018. When polls will be ready to go live in WhatsApp remains unknown.
In addition, WhatsApp is also testing a dedicated "Community" tab to make it easier for users to keep track of groups and communities. The Community tab is expected to replace the existing Camera tab.
Meta-owned WhatsApp has worked to improve the group chat experience over the last few years in an effort to keep up with competing platforms, introducing group descriptions, a catch-up feature, a one-way messaging option, and protection for users who are being added repeatedly to groups they've left.
Apple is planning to hold its first media event of 2022 on Tuesday, March 8, at 10:00 a.m. Pacific Time through a live stream. The event is expected to see the unveiling of a new iPhone SE, iPad Air, and at least one new Mac. We could also hear news related to the company's services and perhaps learn the release dates on iOS and iPadOS 15.4, alongside macOS Monterey 12.3, which introduces Universal Control amongst other new features.
There are multiple ways to watch the March 8 event, with details listed below. We've also included a useful guide on when the event will take place in your particular time zone.
Apple Events Website
With the Apple Events website, you can watch the event live on a Mac, iPhone, iPad, PC, or any other device with a web browser. The Apple Events website works in Safari, Chrome, Firefox, and other main browsers.
Just navigate to www.apple.com/apple-events/ using a web browser at the appropriate time to watch. You can visit the site now to add an event reminder to your calendar.
YouTube
Apple also plans to stream the event live on YouTube, which is perhaps the easiest and most efficient way to watch because the YouTube live stream can be viewed on every platform where YouTube is available, which is pretty much all platforms, from smartphones and tablets to consoles and smart TVs.
Apple has posted a placeholder for the March 8 event on YouTube, and you can visit it now to set an event reminder through YouTube.
Apple TV App
Apple used to have a dedicated Apple Events app on the Apple TV, but ahead of WWDC in June 2020, it folded into the Apple TV app. On event day, there will be a prominent Apple TV app section dedicated to the live stream, which can be watched on any device where the Apple TV app is available.
This includes the Apple TV, iPhones, iPads, Macs, and some smart TVs. If you have an Apple TV, the Apple TV app is one of the best ways to watch the event live. Apple hasn't updated the Apple TV app with the new event as of yet, but it should be added soon.
Event Time Zones
Apple's event will take place at 10:00 a.m. Pacific Time, like most events. Event times in other time zones are listed below.
Honolulu, Hawaii — 8:00 a.m. HST
Anchorage, Alaska — 9:00 a.m. AKST
Cupertino, California — 10:00 a.m. PST
Phoenix, Arizona — 11:00 a.m. MST
Vancouver, Canada — 10:00 a.m. PST
Denver, Colorado — 11:00 a.m. MST
Dallas, Texas — 12:00 noon CST
New York, New York — 1:00 p.m. EST
Toronto, Canada — 1:00 p.m. EST
Halifax, Canada — 2:00 p.m. AST
Rio de Janeiro, Brazil — 3:00 p.m. BRT
London, United Kingdom — 6:00 p.m. GMT
Berlin, Germany — 7:00 p.m. CET
Paris, France — 7:00 p.m. CET
Cape Town, South Africa — 8:00 p.m. SAST
Helsinki, Finland — 8:00 p.m. EET
Istanbul, Turkey — 9:00 p.m. TRT
Dubai, United Arab Emirates — 10:00 p.m. GST
Delhi, India — 11:30 p.m. IST
Jakarta, Indonesia — 1:00 a.m. WIB next day
Shanghai, China — 2:00 a.m. CST next day
Singapore — 2:00 a.m. SGT next day
Perth, Australia — 2:00 a.m. AWST next day
Hong Kong — 2:00 a.m. HKT next day
Seoul, South Korea — 3:00 a.m. KST next day
Tokyo, Japan — 3:00 a.m. JST next day
Adelaide, Australia — 4:30 a.m. ACDT next day
Sydney, Australia — 5:00 a.m. AEDT next day
Auckland, New Zealand — 7:00 a.m. NZDT next day
MacRumors Coverage
If you're not able to watch or just want to follow along with us as we watch the event unfold, visit MacRumors.com for our liveblog or follow us on Twitter at MacRumorsLive for our live tweet coverage.
Both the MacRumors site and our Twitter account are excellent ways to discuss the new announcements with other Apple enthusiasts as Apple unveils new products. Later in the day and throughout the week, we'll also have much more in-depth coverage of all of Apple's announcements, so be sure to stay tuned.
Apple will not launch an iMac Pro or a Mac Pro until 2023, while it still plans to release a 27-inch external display without mini-LED sometime this year, renowned Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuosaid today on Twitter.
Outlining his predictions for Apple's Mac lineup in 2022 and 2023, Kuo said that Apple plans to release a new high-end Mac mini and a 27-inch external display without mini-LED in 2022, while an Apple silicon Mac Pro and iMac Pro will not launch until 2023.
Predictions for Apple's new desktop products: 1. 2022: More powerful Mac mini and more affordable external display (27-inch without mini-LED). 2. 2023: Mac Pro and iMac Pro.
— 郭明錤 (Ming-Chi Kuo) (@mingchikuo) March 6, 2022
Kuo's prediction that Apple does not plan to release an iMac Pro until next year is at odds with information shared by display analyst Ross Young. Young, who also boasts a credible track record regarding Apple products, has said an iMac Pro could launch as soon as June this year.
The iMac Pro is expected to replace the 27-inch Intel-based iMac currently in the lineup and be sold alongside the 24-inch desktop computer announced in April 2021. Young has said the iMac Pro will feature mini-LED and previous rumors suggest a similar design to the 24-inch size.
Given the large discrepancy between the information shared by both Kuo and Young, it could be plausible that the analysts are referencing different devices.
Kuo could be referencing a true professional-grade iMac at the highest-end of the lineup, while details put forth by Young are simply referencing a non-pro iMac.
It's worth noting that Apple had previously used the "iMac Pro" name in a now-discontinued iMac, and despite one rumor suggesting the company will resurrect the name, it's debatable whether Apple will use the name again.
In the more immediate future, Kuo says that Apple plans to release an affordable display for consumers this year. Kuo says the display will measure 27-inches in size and not feature mini-LED. Just today, Mark Gurman noted that it's likely the display could be announced during the Apple event on Tuesday.
Kuo also confirmed today that Apple will launch a new high-end Mac mini this year and it's also expected to debut during next week's event. See our guide for a full rundown of everything we expect from Apple next week.
Apple completed work on an external display "months ago" and has planned to launch it shortly after the latest 14-inch and 16-inch MacBook Pros, Bloomberg'sMark Gurman said in his latest Power On newsletter. Apple is rumored to be working on two external displays, one being a direct successor to the high-end Pro Display XDR and a more affordable consumer-level display. According to Gurman, Apple completed development on a next-generation external display "months ago" and planned to launch it shortly after it debuted its latest MacBook Pros in October 2021.
Apple is expected to announce a new high-end and redesigned Mac mini during Tuesday's "Peek performance" event, and the launch of a new affordable external display alongside it seems logical. The display could cost around half of the Pro Display XDR, placing it at around $2,500.
A report this week from 9to5Mac suggested that Apple is working on a display with a 7K resolution and an A13 chip built-in. That display, however, is apparently separate from the more affordable option the company has been working on.
Alongside a new Mac mini and the possibility of a new external display, Apple is expected to announce a new iPhone SE and iPad Air with 5G and faster performance, an updated 13-inch MacBook Pro with the M2 Apple silicon chip, and a possible "wildcard" product announcement.
Evidence that Apple is testing the M2 Apple silicon chip, expected to debut first in a new MacBook Air and refreshed 13-inch MacBook Pro, has been spotted by a developer ahead of Tuesday's "Peek performance" Apple event.
As reported by Bloomberg'sMark Gurman in his latest Power On newsletter, a "developer source" has informed him that in recent weeks, Apple has been testing a chip with an eight-core CPU and a 10-core GPU across multiple Macs on the latest macOS beta.
I'm told from a developer source that Apple has been testing multiple Macs with a new chip in recent weeks that includes an eight-core CPU (four efficiency cores and four high-performance cores) and 10 GPU cores. Those are exactly the specifications of the M2 chip I detailed last year.
Apple has been testing this new chip on machines running macOS 12.3 (which should be released in the next week or two and run on the new Macs) and a future macOS 12.4, as well as macOS 13, which will be previewed in June at WWDC 2022.
Apple's M2 Apple silicon chip will be the first significant upgrade for Apple's custom silicon on the Mac since Apple unveiled its M1 architecture in November 2020. Apple has since introduced more powerful iterations of the M1 chip, including the M1 Pro and M1 Max.
The M2 chip is thought to make its way first to an updated 13-inch MacBook Pro and a completely redesigned MacBook Air. Gurman said today that a new Mac mini, expected to feature M1 Pro and M1 Max chips, is "ready to go" and could launch next week. A new 13-inch MacBook Pro and a new iMac could launch "as soon as the first half of the year," Gurman added.
Gurman reiterated his expectations for Apple's "Peek performance" event on Tuesday. As widely reported by previous rumors and leaks, a new iPhone SE with the same 4.7-inch design as the previous model is expected to be announced, but with the addition of 5G connectivity and a new chip.
A new iPad Air is also rumored to make its debut at the event, featuring the A15 chip, Center Stage, and 5G connectivity. Alongside the new iPhone, iPad, and at least one new Apple silicon Mac, Gurman said that a fourth "wildcard" announcement is possible.
Apple's event will kick off at 10:00 a.m. Pacific Time on Tuesday, March 8. In addition to being streamed on YouTube, the event can also be watched through the events webpage and in the Apple TV app. If you're unable to watch, you can tune in to MacRumors on the site or through our MacRumorsLive Twitter account. For a detailed rundown of everything we expect, see our guide.
It's finally time! After several months of quiet, Apple is ready to ramp things up again with its first event of 2022, scheduled for Tuesday, March 8.
Unsurprisingly, our top stories for this week are centered around the event, and they include the announcement itself, our overviews of what we should and shouldn't expect to see at the event, and even some last-minute rumors, so read on for all of the details!
Apple Event Announced for March 8: 'Peek Performance'
While there have been several rumors about what to expect at Apple's event next week, there are also a handful of products that are unlikely to launch until later this year or next year.
Repeating information from previous rumors, Kuo claims that the third-generation iPhone SE will feature the same design as the current model, the A15 Bionic chip, and 5G connectivity, but there are several new details, including a bump in the maximum storage capacity to 256GB, the same black, white, and red colors as the current model, and 5G support for both mmWave and sub-6GHz networks.
Will Apple Keep the Old iPhone SE Around at a Lower Cost?
The new iPhone SE is expected to be priced at $399 and it will be replacing the current iPhone SE, but will Apple keep the older model around and drop the price as it sometimes does when new iPhones come out?
Each week, we publish an email newsletter like this highlighting the top Apple stories, making it a great way to get a bite-sized recap of the week hitting all of the major topics we've covered and tying together related stories for a big-picture view.
Apple is set to hold its first event of 2022 on Tuesday, March 8 at 10:00 a.m. Pacific Time. Apple's spring events sometimes aren't as exciting as the September and October events, but it's nice to have new devices on the horizon in the new year.
For the 2022 spring event, we're expecting a refreshed version of the iPhone SE, a new iPad Air, a possible Apple-branded display, and at least one new Apple silicon Mac, which could be a whole new Mac mini/Mac Pro hybrid called the Mac Studio. We've rounded up everything that we might see at the March 8 event below, including last minute rumors.
The 2022 iPhone SE is going to look just like the 2020 iPhone SE, with no design changes expected. Apple's current iPhone SE is modeled after the iPhone 8, featuring thick top and bottom bezels, a Touch ID Home button, and a 4.7-inch LCD display.
The iPhone SE is and will continue to be the only iPhone that Apple offers with Touch ID instead of Face ID, and it will be the only iPhone released in 2022 with an older LCD display as Apple has transitioned to OLED for the flagship lineup.
Wireless charging will be supported, but we're not expecting MagSafe, nor are there likely to be notable changes to battery life. The current iPhone SE is available in black, white, and red, and we are likely to see similar color options.
With no design changes on the horizon, the updates to the iPhone SE are all internal. We're expecting a faster chip, and the iPhone SE could get the same A15 chip that's in the iPhone 13 for a drastic increase in performance. Storage is rumored to start at 64GB, with Apple offering 64, 128, and 256GB options.
The other major new feature coming to the iPhone SE is 5G connectivity, which will put the iPhone SE on par with the flagship iPhones when it comes to connection speed. Apple's iPhone SE will be the cheapest 5G iPhone, and it is expected to be priced at $399.
The only other rumor we've heard about the iPhone SE is a possible updated camera, so it could get the latest Wide camera from the iPhone 13.
There's a new version of the iPad Air in the works, but like the iPhone SE, there are no design changes expected. The next-generation iPad Air will continue to look like the current iPad Air, though there's a possibility we could see new color options. Right now, the iPad Air comes in space gray, silver, rose gold, green, and blue. Purple has been floated as one of the possible new colorways for the iPad Air.
Rumors suggest that much of the iPad Air update will focus on bringing the device in line with the sixth-generation iPad mini released last fall, so could get an updated A15 chip, which Apple added to the iPad mini after introducing it in the iPhone 13 models. There is, however, a rumor suggesting that Apple will add the M1 chip that's been used in the iPad Pro to the iPad Air, putting performance on par with Apple's higher-end tablets.
For cellular iPad Air models, Apple will add 5G connectivity, so the updated devices will work with faster 5G networks. The chip in the iPad mini is limited to sub-6GHz 5G networks rather than the fastest mmWave 5G networks, so it's possible we could see this same limitation in the iPad Air.
Sub-6GHz 5G is the more widely available version of 5G that can be found in urban, suburban, and rural areas across the United States and other countries, while mmWave 5G is more limited in availability and in range.
AT&T and Verizon have recently expanded their 5G networks with C-band spectrum that improves the availability of mmWave networks in the U.S., so it's possible Apple will take this into account when updating the iPad Air.
The iPad Air will feature mostly internal changes, but it could get the same updated 12-megapixel Ultra Wide front camera that will work with Center Stage, a feature first introduced in the iPad Pro and the iPad mini 6.
Center Stage is a FaceTime feature designed to keep you in focus and perfectly framed when you're on a FaceTime video call. The wide-angle front-facing camera shows more of the room that you're in, while the processor inside the iPad works to keep you front and center even as you move around. If more than one person is in the call, the camera will also zoom out to keep everyone in view.
The rear camera is expected to continue to feature a single-lens setup, though a quad-LED True Tone flash could be added. As for other features, it will continue to use a USB-C port, and we're not expecting notable changes to battery life.
Pricing on the iPad Air is likely to stay the same, so the new model could be priced starting at $599 for 64GB storage.
Mac Studio
YouTuber Luke Miani shared renders of a new Mac allegedly called the "Mac Studio," which he says will be introduced at the spring event. Bloomberg's Mark Gurman has also confirmed that a "Mac Studio" machine that is a "smaller Mac Pro/more powerful Mac mini" is "ready to go" and could launch at the spring event.
According to Miani, the "Mac Studio" will be around four inches tall (the Mac mini is 1.4 inches tall), and it will have a new thermal design for heat dissipation along with more USB-C ports. Prior rumors have suggested that Apple is working on both a smaller version of the Mac Pro and a high-end version of the Mac mini, and those rumors may all be related to the new Mac Studio. The updated Mac will be equipped with Apple's M1 Pro and M1 Max chips, and perhaps a chip that's even more powerful than the M1 Max.
The M1 Pro and M1 Max chips feature a 10-core CPU with eight high-power cores and two high-efficiency cores, though there is also an 8-core version used in the 14-inch MacBook Pro. As for GPU performance, the M1 Pro chip features a 16-core GPU (14-cores in the base model 14-inch MacBook Pro), while the M1 Max features a 32-core GPU. The M1 Pro chip supports up to 32GB RAM and the M1 Max supports up to 64GB, so the Mac Studio will continue to offer support for up to 64GB RAM.
Early rumors suggested the high-end Mac mini would get a new look, perhaps with a smaller casing size that has a plexiglass-like top and a two-tone color scheme, but rumors about the Mac Studio suggest it will have a cube-shaped body that's much thicker than the current Mac mini.
Studio Display
Apple completed work on one of the external displays that it is working on "months ago" and originally planned to launch it after the 2021 MacBook Pros, so there is a chance that we could see it at the spring Apple event.
Apple is working on a Pro Display XDR successor and a more affordable consumer-oriented display, and it's this latter model that has a chance of being introduced tomorrow.
YouTuber Luke Miani, who does not have an established track record for accurately predicting Apple's plans, has said that the new 27-inch consumer display will be called the "Studio Display" and that it is launching at the event alongside a "Mac Studio" machine.
Miani shared renders of the alleged display, which looks similar to the Pro Display XDR with slim bezels and a slim footprint. Bloomberg's Mark Gurman has also said that the display is ready to launch, and that there is an A-series chip inside.
A few rumors have suggested that Apple will introduce an updated version of the 13-inch MacBook Pro at the spring event, but it's not clear if that's accurate as the machine will likely use an updated M2 chip, but other Macs that are also going to adopt the M2 chip, like the refreshed MacBook Air, aren't launching until later in the year.
It's questionable that Apple would introduce the M2 chip in the 13-inch MacBook Pro at this point in time, but it's not out of the realm of possibility.
If there is a refreshed 13-inch MacBook Pro coming, it's not going to get a major design refresh. It will look like the prior-generation version, though there is mixed information on the Touch Bar. Bloomberg's Mark Gurman has said that Apple will remove the Touch Bar from the 13-inch MacBook Pro, while other leaked information has suggested it will stay.
As an entry level machine, the updated 13-inch MacBook Pro will not include a mini-LED display, nor is it expected to support 120Hz ProMotion refresh rates.
The M2 chip that Apple has in the works is expected to have the same 8-core CPU as the M1, but there will be speed and efficiency improvements as it could be built on a smaller node. As for GPU improvements, it will have additional GPU cores. 9 and 10-core GPU options are expected to be available, up from the 7 and 8-core GPU options available in the original M1. The M2 will not be as powerful as the M1 Pro and the M1 Max, which will be succeeded by the M2 Pro and M2 Max.
Hints of the M2 Apple silicon chip have been spotted by a developer in the latest macOS Monterey 12.3 beta, but that doesn't necessarily mean that it's coming in the spring. The chip has been confirmed to feature an 8-core CPU and upgraded 10-core GPU.
One last minute rumor claims there will be no notebook computers at all, so we may not be seeing the new MacBook Pro.
Green iPhone 13
Last year, Apple added a purple iPhone 12 to the iPhone 12 lineup, and this year, rumors suggest we could potentially see a green color introduced. This same rumor also suggests the iPad Air will be available in a new purple color.
New iPhone Case Colors
New iPhone case colors were leaked on Twitter at the end of February, and it's likely these cases are going to be released following the March event. New colors include a light blue, a darker green blue, an orange shade, and a yellow.
It's also likely we'll see these same colors available for iPad cases and perhaps Apple Watch bands. Apple won't focus on these new cases on stage, but we'll see them added to the online store after the event.
Apple has been beta testing iOS 15.4, iPadOS 15.4, and macOS Monterey 12.3 since late January, and now the updates are nearly ready to launch. The software may not come out on March 8, but Apple will likely provide us with launch date information and release candidates could also come following the event.
iOS 15.4 is a huge update that brings support for using Face ID while wearing a mask if you have an iPhone 12 or newer, plus it introduces new emoji characters, lays the groundwork for Tap to Pay, adds a Siri voice, and improves the anti-stalking functionality of AirTags.
macOS Monterey 12.3 and iPadOS 15.4 add the long awaited Universal Control feature that's designed to allow multiple Macs and iPads to be controlled with a single mouse/trackpad and keyboard. We have a full guide with all of the new features coming in iOS 15.4 for those who are curious about what's included.
Event Coverage
Apple will live stream the March 8 event on the Apple Events website, YouTube, and in the Apple TV app on the Apple TV and other platforms.
For those unable to watch a live stream, MacRumors will provide live coverage both here on MacRumors.com and through our MacRumorsLive Twitter account.
Apple is making it easier for customers to donate to the ongoing crisis in Ukraine through UNICEF by adding a banner on top of its website that directs users to an iTunes page that allows them to donate up to $200 using their Apple ID payment method.
Apple says that all donations made through the iTunes portal will go directly to UNICEF USA and its ongoing efforts in Ukraine to support families impacted by the war. Apple has already announced several steps it is taking in response to the situation in Ukraine, including ceasing sales operations in Russia and the removal of several Russian state-sponsored news outlets from the App Store.
Apple's CEO Tim Cook in a letter to staff this week, obtained by MacRumors, also said that Apple would match employee donations to eligible organizations aiding in Ukraine at a rate of 2:1, retroactive for donations made since February 25. Cook has publicly said Apple will donate to efforts in Ukraine, and Apple has said it is "deeply concerned" about the ongoing conflict.
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Apple is working on a "Mac Studio" device that seems to be a cross between a Mac Pro and a Mac mini, according to a report from 9to5Mac that cites an unspecified source with knowledge of Apple's plans.
The device is "in addition" to the rumored Mac mini and Mac Pro, but primarily based on the Mac mini. It will feature "much more powerful hardware" and there are two versions in development. One machine will use the same M1 Max chip introduced in the 2021 MacBook Pro models, while the other will use an Apple silicon chip that's more powerful than the M1 Max.
Bloomberg's Mark Gurman has previously described a new version of the Mac Pro that will feature a smaller chassis to be sold alongside the larger-sized Mac Pro, and it sounds like the "Mac Studio" could be this smaller-sized Mac Pro.
Gurman has previously said that the smaller Mac Pro would have up to 40 CPU cores and up to 128 GPU cores.
The Mac Studio is known internally by the codename J375, and 9to5Mac says that while the naming could potentially change, it is aimed at professional users and will be sold alongside a 7K "Apple Studio Display" that Apple also has in the works.
There's no word on when the Mac Studio might see a launch, but prior rumors have suggested that it could be introduced sometime around WWDC before launching in the fall.
