In the latest scoop by Mark Gurman on Bloomberg, Apple is gearing up to give a fresh look to at least one variant of the Apple Watch, possibly the standard model.
Anticipated New Look for Apple Watch 2024: While the Apple Watch Ultra made its debut in 2022, rumors are buzzing that a spiffy microLED display might not grace the device until 2025 or 2026. Gurman spilled the beans about Apple diligently working on the ‘Watch X’ series, set to be a substantial update marking the tenth anniversary of the Apple Watch, slated for a 2024 release. Expect a sleeker design and a new magnetic band mechanism.
Noteworthy health features include the ability to detect hypertension and sleep apnea. Monitoring blood pressure on the wrist will be a boon for hypertension detection, while sleep tracking and monitoring breathing patterns will be pivotal for identifying sleep apnea. Gurman speculates the refreshed Apple Watch to hit the shelves around September 2024, coinciding with the iPhone 16 lineup.
AirPods 4 with ANC and a Fresh Design: Adding to the excitement, Apple has plans to unveil the fourth-generation AirPods in 2024. This iteration promises an updated design, a revamped case with Find My alerts, and a USB-C charging port.
The high-end version is expected to feature Active Noise Cancellation (ANC), bringing this premium feature to a more affordable price point. A software update will elevate AirPods to a new level by incorporating hearing aid functionality, positioning them as an accessible over-the-counter hearing aid alternative. Additionally, Gurman hints at a fresh version of the AirPods Max in 2024, boasting new color options and a USB-C charging port.
Keep an eye out for possible updates to the AirPods Pro in 2025, with a focus on enhanced comfort and the potential introduction of new features like body temperature and health tracking, currently in the early stages of development.
Gurman’s insights also shed light on substantial changes in Apple’s iPad lineup, including a revamped iPad Pro, a larger screen variant for the iPad Air, speedier chips for the iPad Mini and the entry-level model, and noteworthy upgrades for the Mac, with the MacBook Air expected to embrace the M3 chip soon, and new MacBook Pros (codenamed J614 and J616) already in the pipeline.