I think Apple is coming off a very strong 2018. For them to have a strong 2019 they need to keep the pedal to the ground. Here are 4 things that I would like to see from Apple in 2019.
A Strong Start
Apple held four events last year, one in March, June, September, and October. I’m not sure that Apple in 2019 needs four events this year – I’d love it if they had the pipeline to do it- but I would love it if they kept up the momentum that they had at the end of the year and hold another spring event.
I don’t have any insight into the company, but I feel like they do have things that they could announce at a spring event.
The rumor mill has been buzzing with information on new AirPods, AirPower, and iPad Mini. Also, AirPower hasn’t been mentioned on stage in over a year, so some news would be nice. There might have been an iPad Mini leak just as the year closed out. So Apple has stuff coming, the question is when.
I feel like that could be a base for a spring event. Throw in a new iMac and iMac Pro (although they might wait on the Pro model for WWDC) announcement and we have the makings of an exciting Apple event. The iMac hasn’t been updated in over a year, and there are chips ready for it. The question is what does Apple have planned for its most popular desktop?
Of course, some of that might just be wishful thinking since I’d like to replace my lost AirPods and buy a new iMac. Still, it’s always more exciting when we get news in the spring rather than having to wait until June to hear from the company.
Keep the Software push
Speaking of WWDC, last year we got the announcement that iOS 12 and Mojave were focusing on under-the-hood improvements for both systems. When they came out, they were updates that everyone had been wanting. Devices that had slowed down became useable again. But it wasn’t just speed, they announced other unexpected things like Shortcuts.
Early last year, there had been rumors that Apple had decided to hold back some iPad and new home screen features to focus on stability and speed. Apple in 2019 needs to show the iPad some software love, and push it forward.
I would also like to see a better way to bring iOS apps to Mojave than what they released so far. There has to be a better way to get these apps to work well on the Mac. If they can figure that out, I think the Mac will get a shot of adrenaline; if they can’t get them to function better I don’t think this will help.
I would like Apple to push the apps they make for the iPad a little further. Bring out a more feature rich movie editor like Final Cut for iOS. They need to be the one leading the way on the software front.
While not an Apple focused wish, I wish some of the software developers who have software on iOS would continue to push their apps. I would love to use an app on iOS that has the same feature-rich content as it’s Mac sibling.
Double Down on Security
They’ve said that they were doing it before, but 2018 proved to be the year of the leaks. Apple in 2019 needs to refocus on security and leaks.
I get that I love the leaks and rumors. I love being able to provide some context to those leaks and rumors here. But I also love being surprised.
I feel like this year, everything was leaked ahead of time. Kuo spilled the beans on so many products like the MacBook Air, new iPad Pro, and many more. 9to5mac blew the lid off of every major iPhone announcement before the events – sometimes even hours before.
I would love some surprise to come back to the company. A company this large has problems closing those leaks. Someone just messed up or missed something and someone else took advantage of it. I don’t think those people need to be fired or anything, but more care needs to be taken somewhere.
So I would like for the surprise to come back to Apple Events.
Software security
I think this would be a great time for Apple to also push their focus on security in their products. They already have some of the best hardware security going on with the secure enclave (a security processor that handles things like security on your device) and the way that they have chosen to handle how they do things with your location and Siri and other sensitive data.
Over the break, I heard many of my relatives talking about these devices that listen to you all the time. They were using them, but they were also wary of what data they were sending in or selling. I told them that Apple handles things differently than Amazon or Google and they weren’t trying to steal your data. They would listen and then call me an Apple nut, turn around and complain that the government has a record of your face and thumbprint thanks to these smartphones.
I think Apple could really do a marketing campaign explaining how it handles security and it could ease some anxiety and maybe even pull in new customers.
Fix the Prices
My last request for Apple would be for them to fix the sticker prices of their devices.
I know that technology advances are expensive. I know that we have been lucky to have cheap devices for as long as we have, but I would really like Apple to try to fix their prices down a little bit.
Instead of really splitting a line between the top of the line and compromises, I would like to see good quality devices get cheaper. It doesn’t have to be hundreds of dollars being cut now, but taking some money off the new iPhones this year would go a long way.
I would also like to see Apple follow Amazon’s footsteps a little bit when it comes to accounts. One Amazon Prime account comes with shipping, video, some music, and more. I would love to see a bundled service from Apple.
That way instead of paying an Apple Music fee, iCloud storage fee, and maybe even the coming streaming TV service fee. Let me
Wrap Up
That’s what I’d like to see from Apple in 2019. I’m not sure how much of that we’ll see this year, but if we got that I’d be happy.
Of course, Apple in 2019 could surprise us. They could bring out new products we never thought of or haven’t heard rumors of, and I’d be even happier with that.
What would you like to see from Apple in 2019? Were you happy with Apple in 2018?
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