The Apple Beat: Apple's year in Review

By Gadjo Cardenas Sevilla

Looking back at Apple’s 2016, it was hard to expect the company to match the frenetic pace of product releases from 2015. After all, the previous year saw the introduction of the Apple Watch, iPad Pro, the remixed Apple TV, new and improved iPhone 6s as well as major moves in the areas of car infotainment (Car Play), home automation (Home Kit), Health (Health Kit) and the inception of Apple Music. So, let's look back at what 2016 was all about.

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Tim Cook: "Great desktops," are in the roadmap

There's been growing concern that Apple has somewhat neglected its desktops. Sure, the iMac was updated in 2015 with impressive new 5K and 4K variants, but it's been two years since the Mac mini has gotten revised and three long years since the Mac Pro was launched. Well, Apple CEO Tim Cook reassured Apple staff that desktops are very much a part of Apple's roadmap in an internal memo to employees.

Some folks in the media have raised the question about whether we’re committed to desktops. If there’s any doubt about that with our teams, let me be very clear: we have great desktops in our roadmap. Nobody should worry about that.

This is very good news for Apple desktop users who have been waiting patiently for an upgrade path from their current desktops. Like most manufacturers of the PC industry, Apple's likely been held back by Intel, who supplies the processors that power notebooks and desktops and whose latest Kaby Lake processors are trickling out. The Mac is also a shrinking part of Apple's business. Notebooks may be on the upswing but desktops are a tough sell all around. Tim Cook's reassurance that great desktops are coming will help put a lot of speculation to rest.

Source: TechCrunch

Apple AirPods could be weeks away

Apple's bluetooth AirPods, which were promised back in October and which have been delayed, are apparently a few weeks away from coming to market according to Apple CEO Tim Cook. The AirPods are the wireless solution to the removal of the headphone jack on the new iPhone 7 and are the best bet for users who aren't keen on using dongles or Apple's Lightning EarPod headphones included in the case. Cook reportedly told a customer via email, "Thanks for your note. Sorry for the delay---we are finalizing them and I anticipate we will begin to ship over the next few weeks." This means that the AirPods should be hitting Apple Stores in early to mid-December, just in time for the frenzied shopping season.

Source: MacRumors.com

Apple announces one day special shopping event on Nov 25

Apple today announced its one day special holiday shopping event taking place this Friday, November 25. There will be special pricing and exclusive deals on the season’s hottest gifts in Apple Retail and on the App Store. Items and products sold duirng this period will benefit from free delivery and returns. It must be noted that Apple has refrained from offering 'Black Friday' sales, often giving its resellers and online retailers the option to sell Apple products at a discounted rate. While we still don't know which products will be getting the discount treatment, it will be a good time to check out accessories, peripherals or maybe even a new Mac or iPad.