Apple expected to release new 16-inch MacBook Pro, refreshed iPad Pro, Apple Tag, and more this month

With last month’s iPhone event behind us, it doesn’t look as if Apple is ready to call the year quits just yet. Throughout 2019 we’ve heard reports suggesting a range of still-unreleased hardware is destined to launch before the end of the year, suggesting we may see Apple take to the stage once again for an event later this month – here’s what we expect Apple may have up its sleeve for October.

16-inch MacBook Pro

Apple is widely expected to introduce an all-new 16-inch MacBook Pro later this month, with rumors suggesting the machine will feature a complete hardware redesign, featuring slim bezels around a 3072×1920 LCD display.

The high-end MacBook Pro model is reported to return to using the conventional Apple scissor switch keyboard design following the failure of the supposed “next-generation” butterfly keyboard that has been plagued with faults since it debuted in 2015.

MacBook Pro Concept | Viktor Kádár

Rumors have suggested the all-new MacBook Pro could feature Face ID support, making it the first Mac to adopt the facial authentication method, although these reports should be taken with a pinch of salt. The new 16-inch machine will likely use 9th-gen Intel Coffee Lake-H processors, the same processors found in Apple’s latest MacBook Pro models that launched in May.

iPad Pro

During the event, Apple is expected to unveil updates to its iPad Pro lineup, with reports suggesting we may see Apple copy across the triple lens camera system found on the high-end iPhone 11 Pro and iPhone 11 Pro Max to the iPad.

While the iPad isn’t commonly used as a photography tool, the camera upgrade will enhance the augmented reality capabilities of the device alongside keeping the iPad in sync with Apple’s latest “Pro” product, the iPhone 11 Pro.

2019 iPad Pro Concept | Via mac.edu.v

Asides from the rumored addition of a triple lens camera system and enhancements to the battery life, the 2019 iPad Pro will likely feature a new A13X Bionic processor, an upgrade from the A12X Bionic processor in the current iPad Pro hardware.

All in all, this year’s iPad Pro update will likely be relatively minor. Apple is rumored to be developing new mini-LED displays expected to debut next year in a more significant iPad Pro upgrade.

Apple Tag

Apple is expected to launch an all-new Tile-like physical item tracker in October, a small tag that would attach to valuables, such as wallets, backpacks, keys, and more, allowing users to track their belongings in the new Find My app on iOS, iPadOS and macOS.

It has been revealed that a new “Items” tab will appear within the Find My app, which is rumored to notify users as soon as they become parted with their valuables, with the exception of when items have been left behind at a pre-defined  “Safe Location”, such as at the user’s home or work place.

The tracker is expected to be a small circle-shaped device with an Apple logo in the center. It will reportedly feature a removable battery and will take advantage of the U1 ultra-wideband location chip introduced with the iPhone 11 and iPhone 11 Pro.

Pricing is yet unknown for the tracker, but industry-leader Tile has item trackers available for under $30. Apple will likely enter the market at a similar price, and it has been rumored users may need to pay a monthly subscription to a “Find My Network”.

Mac Pro, AirPods 3, Apple TV

We will likely see Apple officially release its $5,999 completely redesigned Mac Pro in October, the most powerful Mac ever made. The release will come after the machine was debuted at WWDC in June, featuring the world’s most powerful graphics card alongside Intel’s new Xeon processor, with up to 28-cores.

Apple may also take the opportunity to introduce its next-generation AirPods 3, rumored to be available in a new black color option with waterproofing features, improved acoustics and possible health-tracking features, as suggested by analysts earlier in the year.

We also may see the release of Apple’s new over-ear headphones, with sources claiming Apple will feature ‘studio-quality’ sound and ‘Hey Siri’ support.

Finally, Apple could introduce updates to its Apple TV set-top box. Following the introduction of Apple Arcade and the enhancements in the latest tvOS 13 release, rumors have pointed to Apple working on a new Apple TV which features an A12 processor, up from the A10X Fusion chip in the latest Apple TV.

What are you looking forward to seeing? Let us know in the comments below.