14 DAY TRIAL // A new report from Taiwan suggests Apple is still on track to deliver its all-new 12-inch iPad Pro this year, as well as its first MacBook Air with a crisp Retina display.
The iPad Pro continues to make headlines despite being shot down as a valid rumor recently. The Retina MacBook Air is more likely to happen, though. But where is all this coming from, again?
No place else than Taiwan, homeland of DigiTimes and its infamous industry sources / supply chain makers. According to a new report from the publication, the Cupertino company is dwindling down MacBook Air shipments as it prepares to launch a new model, alongside a bigger iPad.
Other sources contradict the shipment numbers but agree that the company is gearing up to launch new stuff.
Per the report: “However, other Taiwan-based supply chain makers hold the opinion that 2014 MacBook shipments estimates may not be accurate because Apple will launch new models in the second half of 2014. Apple will reportedly launch a MacBook Air with Retina display, the makers said.”
“Apple will launch a large (around 12-inch) iPad in the second half of 2014, with Quanta Computer responsible for OEM production,” it adds.
The larger iPad is said to be geared towards businesses, the enterprise sector, schools, and institutions in general. Its major key point is obviously the increased screen real estate, and some believe Tim Cook & Co are actually preparing a merger of iOS and OS X as the operating system for this tool.
The Mac maker has shot down these hybrid-OS rumors on various occasions, so there is no point in expecting this to turn up anytime soon. There are also no leaks or any kinds of indications that such plans are indeed underway at 1 Infinite Loop, Cupertino, CA.
The MacBook Air with Retina display, however, is definitely happening. This rumor requires no leaks or additional corroboration from secondary sources. It’s the natural order of things at Apple. In a couple of years, every single screen-enabled device sold by the company will be Retina-grade (some even higher).
The computer maker is expected to hold a special event this spring during which it may unveil one of these new products, as well as a rumored TV box with gaming capabilities and a revamped interface. Most pundits agree that Apple will not deploy a large-screen television anytime soon.
Later in the year, the company will also unveil its next-generation iPhone sporting a rumored bigger screen and a redesigned body.