Rumours abound over Apple event
In advance of the Apple’s phone launch event Wednesday, the rumour mill has been going into overdrive speculating about the next batch of shiny products from the electronics giant.
While the company does not comment on such speculation, the truth is that any surprises at the last few events have been spoiled by all the Apple-watching media out there. Here’s what people are predicting:
All about the iPhones
Let’s start with the new iPhones, as really, they are the most important to consumers and the company’s bottom line. All the talk is that this is an evolutionary year for the devices, so they likely will be called the 6S and 6S Plus.
The 4.7- and 5.5-inch screens will remain the same, but an A9 processor should make it faster and there is talk of more RAM. As well, the frontfacing camera is likely due for an upgrade to five megapixels. The company is believed to be using higher-quality aluminum. Most sources have ruled out smaller phones.
If there is a feature that is looked at to be the big selling point, it is Force Touch. Available on the Apple Watch and Mac laptops, this functionality gives more options when a user presses down harder on the phone.
TV or not TV?
Most of the pre-release hype has actually surrounded Apple TV, which is rumoured to be getting another refresh, but with a much more powerful processor, an app store of its own, which will likely be led by a gaming push, and more powerful TV capabilities. The event is titled "Hey Siri, give us a hint," and it is believed the assistant will be available on the device.
This device has had several false starts and despite Apple’s previous attempts, the company has not been able to really shake up the existing television market.
Even if the company actually manages to add some sort of online cable package to entice cord cutters, something similar likely won’t be available in Canada at launch.
Big rumours; bigger iPad
Sales of iPads have also been stagnant for the past few years, and the big rumours related to the tablet are tied into a productivity push for the device. Long considered an entertainment machine, speculation abounds that the company really wants to push it as a laptop replacement, so the refresh may come with a larger 12.9-inch screen, a stylus and ports for peripherals.