Rumor roundup: Vision Pro’s real name, Watch ceramic comeback, iMac M6
In recent days, further details about Apple’s product planning have emerged. This concerns not only new but also old devices.
Apple Watch Edition in ceramic case: Will the design return?
(Image: Apple)
Following Tuesday’s bombshell, when Apple surprisingly introduced new Mac mini models with M5 Pro and M6, and Mac Studio workstations with M5 Max and M5 Ultra, the rumor mill is wondering what’s next for Apple hardware. In addition to the iPhone event in early September (with iPhone 18 Pro, 18 Pro Max, and Ultra), the announcement of which is expected in the coming days, there are now further small and large details from various leakers. These concern, among other things, the Vision Pro, the Apple Watch, the iMac, and upcoming home products from the manufacturer.
Unreality and Ceramic
When the Vision Pro launched in 2024, there were many rumors about its name beforehand. For a long time, it was said that Apple was considering the designation “Reality Pro” for its very first mixed-reality device, along with the operating system “realityOS,” which then became visionOS. As leaker Kosutami, known for his information on Apple products in development, spread on X, Reality Pro seems to have at least internally been Apple’s potential winning name for a long time. Corresponding strings like “realityprorealityosdev” are said to have remained in the system for a longer time. Apple had also registered various suitable trademarks such as “Reality One,” “Reality Pro,” or even “Reality Processor” through a shell company. “realityOS” was also protected meanwhile, and references appeared in the App Store. Another possible name is said to have been “xr Pro” (for Extended Reality). However, Apple ultimately settled on Vision Pro, visionOS, and “Spatial Computing” as the umbrella term.
Videos by heise
Another rumor with a certain retro connection concerns the Apple Watch. Here too, Kosutami stood out with a leak. According to his information, Apple plans to return to a ceramic case, at least in one model, with the Series 12, which is expected in September. The company first introduced such a model in white as “Edition” with the Series 2 in September 2016, replacing the (passably crazy) gold variant. With the Series 3, there was also a gray-black ceramic option; from 2018 onwards, the Edition disappeared entirely, and with it, ceramic as a case material. In addition to Kosutami, Bloomberg reporter Mark Gurman also believes in the return, although it could also be in 2027. Apple currently sells the Watch in titanium and aluminum; a return of the long-available steel version is also considered possible.
All-in-One Mac and Home Devices
Meanwhile, progress continues with the Mac and home devices. According to Gurman, Apple plans to update the iMac to the M6 model this year. Since the 24-inch all-in-one machine currently features an M4 from 2024, this is considered a logical step. Additionally, new colors are apparently planned, possibly also new Apple-proprietary Wi-Fi and Bluetooth chips. Apple is apparently still working on a variant with a larger screen; whether this will ever be released remains unclear.
For home devices, Apple is said to be planning at least new HomePod mini models this year, a revised Apple TV with Siri AI capabilities, and a long-awaited Home Hub in the style of an iPad (possibly also with a speaker dock). Gurman has reportedly heard that Apple’s store staff are currently planning corresponding store layouts. The devices are to be placed in the so-called Avenues, i.e., along the walls of newer Apple Stores, where home products and headphones are already located. Apple also plans to sell accessories for the new hardware.
Empfohlener redaktioneller Inhalt
Mit Ihrer Zustimmung wird hier ein externer Preisvergleich (heise Preisvergleich) geladen.
Ich bin damit einverstanden, dass mir externe Inhalte angezeigt werden. Damit können personenbezogene Daten an Drittplattformen (heise Preisvergleich) übermittelt werden. Mehr dazu in unserer Datenschutzerklärung.
(bsc)
