2016 was all about the MacBook. The computer that is going to change the future of ports and connectors was born. We have also got an old phone with a missing headphone jack. For some users this is a big downer. Others are happy with their AirPods.
Next year seems to be a good one for the desktop computer. Will the Mac mini survive? Is the Mac Pro still up for a refresh?
Siri on macOS
Siri jumped from the iPhone to the Mac in 2016. It was a long awaited move, that failed to amaze users. Sure enough, the implementation is simple and elegant, just as Apple would do it, but the functionality lacks. Siri can find documents for you, play music, calculate free space, open FaceTime find tweets or add Calendar appointments, but there is no way to use it in third party apps.
Virtual Assistants are the future of computing. The rise of Alexa from Amazon and Google’s Assistant made it difficult for Siri to shine. Apple’s way of implementing it as a local functionality as opposed to something server or cloud driven and the point that it can be just as good but secure and privacy-aware in the same time was the key to its success.
In 2017, users will want more Siri. Apple’s virtual Assistant needs to be more context aware and respond to the queries in a different manner.
Another important issue is the cloud situation in Apple’s ecosystem. Users are not happy with the 5GB free tier and the fact that iCloud lacks some of the functionality of Dropbox or other cloud services.
Cutting the cord
Removing the headphone jack from the iPhone was Apple’s big bet. The fact that the AirPods were late made it difficult for users for a few good months. Now it all starts to make sense. The AirPods are Apple’s way to show everyone that they can still come up with “magical” technology.
Sure enough, these are not the first bluetooth earbuds ever released, but the fact that they pair with your device right away, the long lasting battery of the case and added functionality like taps that pause and play your songs or podcasts makes the AirPods a clear winner in the long run. Apple proved that they can come up with a stylish solution to a decades old problem: tangling earbuds cords and bulky bands attached to bluetooth headsets.
How can this evolve in 2017? First of all we need to see what we really need from a small headset. The AirPods seem future proof for at least 5 years to come and other manufacturers cannot possibly come out with something so different that can capture the market.
Betting on USB-C
The MacBook Pro just got a long-awaited redesign. The fact that we have a lighter laptop that looks amazing and keeps the same 10-hour battery life is pretty awesome.
Apple’s big bet in 2016 was on USB-C. Whether you like it or not, this will be the ports standard for years to come. The guys in Cupertino got rid of their famous MagSafe connector just to replace it with a more versatile connector like the USB-C. Angry customers will have to learn to live with that.
What comes up after this radical redesign? We may see a new version of the MacBook Pro with an SD card slot, but this may be just wishful thinking from a long time user like myself. Apple needs to work on their batteries. Sure enough, no breakthrough is on the timeline for 2017.
2017 – The year of the Desktop Mac
The Mac Pro is waaay overdue for an update. Will we get a device that has only 6 USB-C Ports? This may turn pro users to other devices and we may see the rise of the Hackint0sh once again.
The Mac mini has been neglected for a long while and it may be the first device to disappear. On the other hand, Apple just quit making their beautiful Cinema Displays so there is no hope for a standalone desktop computer that needs an external monitor.
Our big hope is for the iMac. Although the 5K Cinema Displays are gone, Apple may still want to stay in the business for a good desktop computer. The iMac is also due for an update and there is no way users will be left out in 2017. How can the iMac evolve? Well, one can only hope that it won’t feature USB-C ports only…
Is it time for an iPhone 8?
With strong sales like the ones they’ve got for the iPhone 7, Apple is not in a hurry to release iPhone 8. However, Samsung is longing for a come back after the Samsung Note 7 and Google may be trying to come out with a redesigned Pixel phone.
It is too early to call the shots for an iPhone 8 in 2017, but users surely want one.
What do you want from Apple in 2017?
