While the newsletter Power On of last week focused on MacBooks and iPads, this week’s edition focuses on Apple’s smallest devices: AirPods 4, Apple Watch Series 10 or even iPhone 16. Mark Gurman also predicts the arrival upcoming Apple Vision Pro.
A significant development for AirPods 4
Let’s start with Apple’s next pair of headphones: the AirPods 4. Mark Gurman begins by pointing out that the AirPods 3, sporting a design similar to the AirPods Pro 2 and features almost equivalent to the AirPods 2, are confusing the company’s customers at Apple.
The journalist of Bloomberg thus returns to one of his previous predictions: the launch of two pairs of AirPods 4 headphones, “whose design has been updated, the case redesigned [et avec un] USB-C charging”. The most expensive model would be entitled to an iconic function of the AirPods Pro 2 (but at a more attractive price): active noise reduction.
Mark Gurman also mentions a discreet refresh for the AirPods Max, with the replacement of the Lightning port with USB-C and new colors.
He ends by declaring that a major new feature would arrive in 2024 on AirPods: a hearing aid feature.
Anything new with the Apple Watch Series 10?
For the tenth anniversary of the Apple Watch, Apple would propose some interesting changes for its range of connected watches. Without going into details, Mark Gurman first believes that at least one model would benefit from a new design.
Developments on the health side would also be planned, with two new functions: detection of hypertension and sleep apnea. Apple Watch Series 10 will thus be able to alert its users if there are clues that could suggest that they suffer from one of these diseases, and to suggest in-depth examinations and follow-up.
While the latest Apple Watches are not expected to sell well for the holidays, in part because of a lack of attractive new features, “Upcoming health features should have real marketing power”, predicts Mark Gurman.
An iPhone 16 designed for video and an Apple Watch still at the heart of health
The iPhone 16s are also mentioned in the latest newsletter Power On. Mark Gurman mentions the arrival of a new button allowing you to make videos.
MacRumors emphasizes for its part that it could be the Capture Button, recently discovered through first prototypes of iPhone 16. It would be directly located at the bottom of the right edge of the chassis of this generation. According to the media, the four 2024 models would be affected by this new feature.
In terms of operation, MacRumors specifies that the Capture Button would be a capacitive button with haptic feedback and not a mechanical button. Depending on the pressure applied to this area, the iPhone 16 could perform different actions, such as capturing photos, videos or even spatial videos for the Vision Pro (possible thanks to iOS 17.2).
Where is the Apple Vision Pro?
Mark Gurman finally discusses Apple’s long-awaited mixed reality headset: the Vision Pro.
As the demonstration sessions intensify with the press, the journalist reiterates the words of his previous newsletter, mentioning the training of Apple sales teams dedicated to this new product.
According to him, hundreds of employees will be invited to Apple headquarters in mid-January 2024 to familiarize themselves with the Vision Pro, “especially with how it should be installed and sold in stores”. This information therefore suggests a launch in the following weeks.
As a reminder, marketing of the Apple Vision Pro will initially be limited to the United States. Apple simply specified in the announcement press release for its mixed reality headset that “more countries“will benefit from it”later next year”. We can therefore hope, at best, for a launch on French territory before the end of 2024.