At the top of the month we were surprised to learn that Apple was dumping their Mac Pro Circular Tower for an all-new modular desktop design for some time in 2018 or later. According to Phil Schiller, Apple is currently working on their "highest-end, high-throughput desktop system."

To go along with this all new design is Apple's newly filed 'Mac Pro' trademark update. Apple has to legally update their trademark if the 'Mac Pro' is going to support or introduce new components, systems or features not currently covered by their current 'Mac Pro' trademark.

For the record, Apple's 2006 'Mac Pro' Registered Trademark 78885695 only covered the following under International Class 09:

"computers; computer hardware; computer software; computer peripherals; notebook computers; laptop computers; tablet computers; computer servers; handheld computers; mobile computers; hard drives; audio speakers; speakers for computers; personal digital assistants; electronic organizers; electronic notepads; magnetic data carriers; computer gaming machines; microprocessors; memories boards; monitors; displays; keyboards; computer input devices; computer cables; modems; printers; parts and accessories for all the aforesaid goods."

All in all it was just basic coverage.

So what's changed in Apple's latest trademark filing for the Mac Pro? A lot has changed. Anytime Apple floods their international class with a ton of boiler plate filler, you know that their trying to hide something by presenting a confusing soup of possibilities.

Yet some of the entries in their filing definitely stand out, if not scream out, as real possibilities. The most interesting one of all is mentioning 'augmented reality displays," because Apple has a patent for such a device and we know that Apple's Augmented Reality team just keeps growing with all-star engineers. The displays could also be a part of a headset or smartglasses that could be powered by the Mac Pro.

And to bring an Augmented Realty display to market is going to take some serious power and graphics power which is what the new Mac Pro is all about. Additionally, Apple's new GPU will likely be one that they've designed in-house as they're not renewing their contract with Imagination.

Other exciting additions to the Mac Pro trademark are highlighted below.

Apple's April 11, 2017 Mac Pro trademark update in Hong Kong includes International Class 09 verbiage as follows:

"Computers; computer hardware; handheld computers; tablet computers; telecommunications apparatus and instruments; wireless communication devices for the transmission of voice, data, images, audio, video, and multimedia content; network communication apparatus; computer software; computer software for setting up, configuring, operating and controlling computers, computer peripherals, mobile devices, mobile telephones, smartwatches, smartglasses, wearable devices, earphones, headphones, televisions, set top boxes, audio and video players and recorders, home theater systems, and entertainment systems; application development software; computer game software; downloadable pre-recorded audio, video and multimedia content; computer peripheral devices; peripheral devices for computers, mobile telephones, mobile electronic devices, wearable electronic devices, smartwatches, smartglasses, earphones, headphones, televisions, set top boxes, and audio and video players and recorders; biometric identification and authentication apparatus; monitors, display screens, head mounted displays, and headsets for use with computers, smartphones, mobile electronic devices, wearable electronic devices, smart watches, smartglasses, televisions, set top boxes, and audio and video players and recorders; virtual and augmented reality displays, goggles, controllers, and headsets; 3D spectacles; cameras; flashes for cameras; keyboards, mice, mouse pads, printers, disk drives, and hard drives; sound recording and reproducing apparatus; digital audio and video players and recorders; audio speakers; audio amplifiers and receivers; voice recording and voice recognition apparatus; earphones; headphones; microphones; televisions; television receivers and monitors; remote controls for controlling computers, mobile telephones, mobile electronic devices, wearable electronic devices, smartwatches, smartglasses, earphones, headphones, audio and video players and recorders, televisions, set top boxes, speakers, amplifiers, home theatre systems, and entertainment systems; wearable devices for controlling computers, mobile telephones, mobile electronic devices, smart watches, smartglasses, earphones, headphones, audio and video players and recorders, televisions, set top boxes, speakers, amplifiers, home theatre systems, and entertainment systems; data storage apparatus; computer chips; batteries; battery chargers; electrical and electronic connectors, couplers, wires, cables, chargers, docks, docking stations, and adapters for use with computers, mobile telephones, handheld computers, computer peripherals, mobile telephones, mobile electronic devices, wearable electronic devices, smartwatches, smartglasses, earphones, headphones, audio and video players and recorders, televisions, and set top boxes; interactive touchscreens; interfaces for computers, computer screens, mobile telephones, mobile electronic devices, wearable electronic devices, smartwatches, smartglasses, televisions, set top boxes, and audio and video players and recorders; protective films adapted for computer screens, mobile telephone screens, and smartwatch screens; parts and accessories for computers, computer peripherals, mobile telephones, mobile electronic devices, wearable electronic devices, smartwatches, smartglasses, earphones, headphones, audio and video players and recorders, televisions, and set top boxes; covers, bags, cases, sleeves, straps and lanyards for computers, mobile telephones, mobile electronic devices, wearable electronic devices, smartwatches, smartglasses, earphones, headphones, set top boxes, and audio and video players and recorders."

Hong Kong Trademark Filing In-Part for 'Mac Pro'

Phil Schiller revealed Apple's intent to reinvent their Mac Pro on April 4 and by April 11 they were already filing their updated trademark filing for 'Mac Pro' in Hong Kong with some very interesting clues as to what the Mac Pro will support in-part or in whole in the future and over time. Interesting times are ahead for Apple's Pro community, that's for sure.

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