Apple fans, get ready! Rumors are swirling about the imminent release of both a new MacBook Air and iPad Air. Industry insiders and even a cryptic tweet from Apple CEO Tim Cook himself are hinting at an update "in the Air" this week.
M4 MacBook Air: What to Expect
The M4 MacBook Air is highly anticipated, with speculation pointing towards a launch after March 13, 2025. This is based on observations that Apple typically doesn't update products while they are part of ongoing promotions, such as the current Higher Education Offer in Australia. Pre-orders could potentially begin around March 7, with sales starting on March 14.
The big question is, what will power this new MacBook Air? Most likely, it will feature the M4 chip. Compared to the M3, the M4 boasts two extra efficiency cores and higher memory bandwidth (120GBps versus 100GBps). It's also expected to focus on AI enhancements, leveraging the improved Neural Engine. "This week," Cook tweeted, "There's something in the Air," further fueling the rumor mill.
While the overall design is expected to remain similar to the current model, there might be a few tweaks. The Midnight version could continue to feature an anodization seal to minimize fingerprints. There's also a possibility of an upgraded front-facing camera, potentially a 12MP Center Stage camera.
iPad Air on the Horizon
The iPad Air is also rumored for an update. Bloomberg's Mark Gurman suggests that an update to the iPad Air will come this spring. This would be less than a year after the M2 iPad Air release in May 2024. There's speculation that the new iPad Air could jump straight to the M4 chip. A chip upgrade is expected to be the main change for the 2025 iPad Air.
Pricing remains a key question. While the current 11-inch M2 iPad Air starts at $599, Apple could potentially raise prices in response to component costs or currency fluctuations.
Other Apple News
In other Apple news, the National Hockey League (NHL) is partnering with Apple to equip its referees with Apple Watches. The watches will run the "NHL Watch Comms" app, syncing with the league’s Oasis platform to provide real-time in-game updates.
Additionally, Apple Music playlists will soon be accessible directly from the iPhone lock screen with the upcoming iOS 18.4 update, making it easier than ever to enjoy your favorite tunes.
Keep an eye out for official announcements from Apple in the coming days. It looks like it will be an exciting week for Apple enthusiasts!