This Is Why I Don’t Care About Apple AR

Is this what Apple’s March 8th event is going to be about?

It’s confirmed, folks. On Tuesday, March 8th, we’re going to see some new Apple products.

These won’t be renders, schematics, or Eurovision Database Filings — they’ll be the real thing.

I was convinced that Apple was going to delay their event due to the truly appalling scenes unfolding in Europe at the moment. But having recently confirmed that it will pause product sales in Russia, Tim and co. appear undeterred.

This is what I think is going to happen next week and why I’m vastly underwhelmed about one possibility.

Breaking down the invite

This is the event invite:

There’s an Apple logo with what looks like some kind of entry into hyperspace if you decide to venture inside — which you can (sort of), via Apple’s fancy AR stuff on the iPhone and iPad.

Clearly, that’s a reference to a significant step into some form of AR-based operating system, right?

Those layers of ‘hyperspace’ are rather colourful too, aren’t they? Perhaps that means we’ll finally be getting the more colourful MacBook Air that has been rumoured for months on end.

Oh, and then there’s the tag line, which is ‘Peek performance’. Now, either someone’s fingers danced a little too quickly across the keyboard, or Apple is using the word ‘Peek’ rather than ‘Peak’ because it wants to show us a glimpse of the future. The Mac Pro, maybe… or perhaps we are indeed going to see some kind of AR goggle contraption.

Equally, this event invite could mean absolutely nothing. As always, I prefer this option; I like the idea of Apple’s design department sitting down to create a meaningless event invite that will set the internet on fire for no reason at all.

But if we take it at face value and assume there is some kind of hidden meaning behind that glowing Apple hyperspace portal, I think it leaves us with two potential outcomes for next Tuesday.

Option 1: it’s all about AR

Hmm.

Look, I love new tech — obviously; I created a brand that’s dedicated to reviewing it.

But I need technology in my life that solves problems and helps me become happier and more productive. The AirPods Pro do that, wonderfully, as does the M1 MacBook Air, and even the £26 electronics organiser that follows me everywhere.

Occasionally, it’s nice to have silly tech that has no meaningful impact on my life but which raises a big smile. But those things rarely last. They usually have to be shoe-horned into my working day or personal time. That’s too much effort, in my book, which is why they usually end up in the ‘I forgot I had that’ drawer.

Spatial Audio slots into this bracket. It is incredibly smart; I cannot get my head around (if you’ll excuse the pun) how it works or how clever you have to be to make it work. But Apple has done just that, and it never fails to wow me when I try it out.

But it doesn’t solve a problem. I have to remind myself it exists. I can experience Spatial Audio content without Spatial Audio and it is just as enjoyable. Abbey Road sounds just as good (actually, better) on my turntable.

Augmented reality feels similar. It’s super smart, and I enjoy having a quick play with Apple’s event invites. It’s also nice to have the option to virtually ‘place’ items of furniture in a room before you buy it. But we’ve survived until now without the ability to do either of those things.

If Apple unveils or previews its take on a full AR operating system next week, it needs to be accompanied by a seriously good story, and one that isn’t as creepy as Facebook’s effort. It needs to reveal something I’m missing entirely — a reason to get excited by something that will presumably force us to attach a silly pair of goggles to our faces or enter a new plane of digital reality on a regular basis.

What am I missing, Tim?

Option 2: It’s all about future Macs

This is the most confusing option for me.

I think it’s pretty certain that we’re going to see a Mac (or two) of some description next Tuesday. Personally, I think it’ll be the new MacBook Air featuring an M2 chip, an updated 24" iMac that also features the M2 chip, and potentially some form of an update to the entry-level MacBook Pro.

I’ve spoken already about the possibility of a more affordable entry-level MacBook Pro, but the thought of Apple simply chucking an M2 chip into the Touch Bar version feels entirely wrong. It needs to be a lower-powered, more affordable version of the new design.

As for the MacBook Air — bring it on. I cannot wait to see what they do with that laptop. Particularly if it comes in white.

The 24" iMac? Cool — that’s just an iterative update to an already wonderful all-in-one desktop.

You’ll notice I haven’t mentioned the Mac mini. And I’m sorry, because I know how many people are waiting on an M1 Pro/Max version of that wonderful little computer. But I just don’t think Apple is going to update it in that way. I think they’re going to simply chuck an M2 in it. Because that’s the kind of thing they do.

But what about the word ‘Peek’ in that invite? Is Apple really going to provide us with a glimpse at what’s to come from the next big iMac? Or even the Mac Pro?

I just don’t see it. Why would they do that in the Spring? As much as I don’t think we’ll see hardware at WWDC, I’d find it easier to believe that there would be an unveiling of future Macs at that event, given its developer focus and Apple’s past form in that area.

As far as Macs are concerned, I think we’re going to see the obvious stuff next week, and not a sniff of what’s to come.

The smaller stuff

I think it’s pretty nailed-on that we’re going to see a new iPhone next week, too. But don’t get too excited — it’s only the SE.

The iPhone SE is due an update, and all rumours point to Apple’s cheapest smartphone getting an A15 Bionic chip and 5G support. I’ll be pitching it against a range of budget iPhones soon, so make sure you subscribe to my YouTube channel for that particular battle.

I think it’s possible that we’ll see new AirPods Pro, too — potentially with some form of lossless audio-capable wireless technology.

Oh, and there’ll probably be a new iPad Air with an A15 Bionic in it. Nice.

Are you excited about next Thursday? What are you looking forward to the most? Get involved in the comments!

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Originally published at https://markellisreviews.com on March 3, 2022.