In a new report posted this morning we get an initial peek at Apple's 2024 hardware line-up that, on paper, doesn't sound all that exciting beyond Apple Vision Pro. Gurman's newsletter and article posted this morning touches on updates to coming to iPhone 16, AirPods, Apple Watch, Vision Pro and more.

iPhone

• Gurman states that "Apple plans to retain the iPhone 15’s design for the iPhone 16, with their Pro model gaining a larger display. Lower-end models will get the Action button, and there will be a new dedicated button for taking video." One rumor claims that a 10 time optical zoom may be applied to the iPhone 16 Pro Max. That would indeed be an exciting development. Yet only having a single source on this doesn't make it a sure thing.  

AirPods

• Two new fourth-generation non-Pro models that have updated designs, redesigned cases and USB-C charging. The upper-end version of the two models will include active noise cancellation, bringing that feature to a lower price point.

• Apple also looks to breathe new life into the AirPods Max headphones. The cans don’t sell well enough for the company to invest in entirely new hardware or software features, but Apple is planning a model that trades in the Lightning charger for USB-C and potentially adds new colors. I expect those next year, alongside the new AirPods." Yawn. Perhaps if they invested in a new design for AirPods Max, they'd actually sell.

Apple Watch

• "The Apple Watch is also due for a boost, with the company planning at least one model with a new look. More significantly, Apple is working on a pair of health features designed to take the smartwatch to new heights: hypertension and sleep apnea detection." Neither feature sounds appealing.

• Gurman adds: "Imagine when Apple is able to make an ad touting how it invented the ability to take a blood pressure reading from the wrist. I think that’s going to sell a lot of devices." Yet Gurman revealed back in November, that the initial "blood pressure sensor will reportedly detect when a user’s blood pressure is elevated, though it won’t show their exact measurements. Apple is working on introducing specific diastolic and systolic metrics in a future watch." The latter is what adult users will appreciate that won't be coming out in 2024.

Vision Pro

Gurman notes that Vision Pro "will certainly grab the spotlight in 2024 — even without bringing in much revenue. There are signs that the launch is approaching, with Apple inviting several hundred retail employees in January to learn how to use and sell the device.

Apple is still trying to figure out the key selling points for the headset, but does seem to believe it could become a big part of its financial story within a few years. People within the company like to compare it to the Apple Watch, noting that the first three generations of that product weren’t very good. By the time the fourth model rolled around, the hardware was up to par and sales began humming.

Apple’s Vision Pro is fast approaching, and iOS 17.3 brings a new feature to deter iPhone thieves. If you need another indicator that the Vision Pro is coming sooner than later, look no further than the latest beta version of the device’s operating system, visionOS. The software’s build number now matches more closely with the numbers tied to production versions of operating systems. Though the new OS lacks major new features, the company has cleaned up bugs.

Use of Vision Pros by engineers at company buildings and even at home has skyrocketed. His understanding is that Apple is testing a more recent iteration of the operating system than the beta version.

iPad and MacBook Air

Gurman notes that the "iPad Pro version is getting revamped, and the Air will have the option of a larger screen. The iPad mini and entry-level model, meanwhile, are getting faster chips. The Mac is due for big upgrades too, with the MacBook Air slated to gain the M3 chip soon."

One cool feature that Gurman revealed back in early September, and not repeated today, is the new Magic Keyboard accessory for the iPad Pro being aluminum based to give it a more "MacBook" like feel. That could be a very popular upgrade.

Read the full Bloomberg report for Gurman's take on iMessage, iOS 17.3's new Stolen Device Protection, Epic Games winning against Google and more.  

Here's to hoping that Apple has a few surprises for us in 2024 that Gurman is currently unaware of.