Apple WWDC 2018: What’s New

One of the biggest events of the year in tech world is Apple's WWDC 2018 event, where Apple reveals brand new products for the consumers and reveals plans, services and softwares to accompany its product line. Here are our predictions for upcoming tech for 2018.

COMPUTERS:

Computers have been a forte for Apple. The Macbooks and Macs have always been excellent machines for productivity and work. Apple has already confirmed that the Mac Pro isn't coming out anytime soon; at least not until 2019.It's been way too long since companies like Xiaomi has taken the lead in Asian markets, and that's solely because of their commitment towards low-range to ultra-low-range smart devices. Apple understood this long ago, and the iPhone 5C and the iPhone SE are proof of how iPhone is clearly trying to enter other market segments. Not much room is left for improvement now for the iPhones, but the Macbooks still have a long way to go. From unsatisfying butterfly keyboard switches to finicky Touch Bar integration, there is still a lot of ways the Macbook can improve. As an icing on the cake, an eighth generation Intel isn't half bad. Another possibility is an implementation of Ryzen and Vega on their top-tier models, considering how the iMac Pro's gotten a Pro Vega 64 treatment from Apple. Or better yet, an Intel-Vega chipset is also an awesome way to revamp the Macbook Pro.

It seems the world has forgotten about one of the most famous Macbook models; the Macbook Air. This goes hand-in-hand with Apple's recent focus on covering different market segments, and a Macbook Air will surely stir up the market if released this WWDC. Rumours say the new Air has been in development for many years, even being pushed to coincide with 2018's WWDC. Apparently it also has a Retina display, along with sleeker design and a more tolerable price, seeing how Windows competitors offer tremendous value over the 2017 Macbook Air, while costing almost the same. Retail outlets like Best Buy are phasing out Macbooks with a 350$ discount, it almost makes sense as if Apple is making room for a refreshed Macbook.

TABLETS:

It is known to all how Apple thinks it's product line out properly, and prioritises it's premium lineup more than entry level devices. With pencil support and a faster processor, the new entry level iPad seems the obvious choice over it's more premium siblings. And so, this year we expect a massive performance upgrade for the new iPad Pro over last generation's iPad Pro, at least an A11X under the hood. It has been like this since 2017, revealing a smaller tablet device in March, and a premium refresh in June.

The iPads always have some features similar to it's smartphones. One major change we expect in the iPad is the integration of Face ID. This would also mean the demise of the iconic Home button, as seen on the brand new iPhone X, with or without the existence of the iconic notch.

This may also mean the demise of the almost obsolete iPad Mini, as it received a minor upgrade in 2017. In hindsight, the 9.7 inch iPad costs less, because the iPad Mini only comes in a 128GB version. In contrast, the 9.7 inch iPad has better performance, bigger screen and pencil support. Why would anyone even consider buying the 7.9 inch Mini?

OPERATING SYSTEM & ECOSYSTEM:

The iOS 11 has been smeared with a lot of bad rep, and Apple must address and fix the plethora of issues that plague the operating system. It's been enough, Apple. Please focus on your quality control instead of refreshing the design every year. This may push back the yearly refreshes on homescreen redesign, camera enhancements and AR multiplayer gaming. Other efforts supposedly include an expanded library of Animojis, and improvements brought upon the Face ID and it's security.

MacOS needs some security updates as well. Last year, researchers discovered a bug allowing users to log in to any Mac desktop or laptop without a password.

WatchOS and it's compatibility needs expansion as well. Including support for more useful apps and software optimisations and even more watch faces, apparently it's receiving improvements to the Apple Watch's health and fitness functionalities.

SMARTPHONES:

And we finally talk about the most anticipated devices in Apple's lineup, the iPhones. Rumours suggest the iPhone is apparently receiving three separate versions. The most premium version is said to be a successor to the iPhone X, apparently with a larger 6.5 inch OLED panel. A smaller version might have a 5.8 inch screen, also an OLED panel. The third device supposedly comes with a 6.1 inch LCD panel, a Full Active LCD display to be precise. All three will probably have edge-to-edge display, and will be equipped with the TrueDepth camera system supporting Face ID, seeing the demise of the Home button across all Apple smartphones.

The LCD iPhone apparently might even cut down Force Touch, a loved feature from iPhones of current and previous generation. Pricing will probably start around 700$, with the most premium going upto 1100$. The premium models might support dual sim, but it's still a feature yet to be confirmed. Rumours also point towards the JDi LCD display being used in the more affordable version, an mLCD+ display which draws significantly less power providing a better screen. Don't know what we're talking about? Take a look at the LG G7 using the same tech, and let us tell you that the screen gets as bright as the sun, topping out at 1000 nits.

And finally, the people's champ. The iPhone SE. Will it be getting a revamp? Probably not. But leaks and case makers have suggested that the front might receive a notch treatment inside the same body, which may sound too exciting for Apple tastes, but they did surprise us with the X. A11 Fusion chip from the iPhone 8? Sure, that's be a welcome change. A render from a case-maker also suggests the omission of a headphone jack.

That covers basically all the rumours circulating the WWDC of this year. Hopefully Apple will bring surprises to the table, but concentrating on quality should be the main focus of the tech giant in our opinion.