Let Loose Apple Event Bingo
What better time to “Let Loose” and play some Apple Event Bingo than at 07:00 am on some random Tuesday?
Apple announced its first virtual event of 2024 will take place on Tuesday, May 07, at 07:00 PST. The invitation, which was teased with a half dozen unique Apple logos, felt similar to the 2018 iPad Pro event when Apple featured over 300 unique Apple logos to market the event. However, the marquee marketing image and "Pencil us in" teaser by Tim Cook for the event features an illustrated hand twirling an Apple pencil against a colour-splashed background, leaving little doubt that this event is very iPad-centric. This is all very timely, as it has been over 1.5 years (560+ days) since the 10th generation iPad and M2 iPad Pros were updated, and even longer, 780+ days, since the iPad Airs saw a refresh.
The six styled Apple Logos shared ahead of the Let Loose Event.
Since we have another event, we have another Bingo board filled with predictions based on rumours swirling around the Apple community and some of my wild wishes for what Apple announces. The predictions were collected between April 22 and May 02, and finalized on Friday, May 03.
My Picks
The Bingo Board is available to download as a PNG or PDF, and I’ve added a more printer-friendly PDF so you don’t end up using all your toner printing this card.
iPhone SE 4 Announced
The iPhone SE was last updated in March 2022, receiving 5G connectivity and the A15 chip. Two years have passed, and this springtime midcycle period is perfect for Apple to release an iPhone SE update.
Rumours have been sparse about an update, but some have suggested a vertical camera/flash arrangement and a larger display - perhaps recycling the chassis of the iPhone XR. That'll likely also mean the discontinuation of TouchID in favour of FaceID. I imagine marginal camera improvements and an A16 or A17 chip go alongside any refresh to keep this product well-equipped for years.
iPad Pro Magic Keyboard Gains Function Keys
Apple's Magic Keyboard Folio for the 10th generation iPad reintroduced function keys to the iPad lineup (the 2010 iPad Keyboard Dock them too). This miffed some people because the base-level model iPad now had two exclusive features (function keys and a landscape camera) compared to any of its Air and Pro siblings. However, the Magic Keyboard's current configuration is likely too cramped to include an additional row of function keys above the number row. I hope we see a new Magic Keyboard for the new Pros, redesigned to accommodate a row of function keys.
iPad Pro Gets the M3 M4 Chip
Chip updates complement new iPad releases, and I expect the Air to move to an M2 chip (from M1) and the iPad Pro to move to M3 (from M2).
Update: But then, just as the ink was drying on that last sentence, Mark Gurman came out to report that there is a “strong possibility” M4 is the expected chip inside the new Pro lineup, the first M4-based Apple Product, and that an AI-focused angle may be part of the narrative surrounding the new device. NGL, it feels weird that Apple would debut the latest Apple Silicon chip inside an iPad, but it seems Apple really wants to swing for the fences with this Pro update.
iPad Pros begin at $999
There's talk that the new OLED panels rumoured for the iPad Pro will be significantly more expensive than the LED/mini-LED displays of the current generation. With the iPad Pro (11-inch, 128GB, WiFi) currently starting at $799, I wouldn't be surprised to see the starting price bump up to $999 (perhaps also doubling the starting storage config to 256GB to mask some of the price increase).
iPad Pro Comes in Space Black
Since Apple has shown an aversion to adding colour to Pro products, can they at least bid farewell to Space Grey in favour of their newly released Space Black colour introduced for the M3 MacBook Pro lineup? A new colour helps differentiate the iPad from existing models and might persuade a few people to upgrade, tempted by the much darker finish.
The iPad mini is Not Updated
Although the iPad mini was last updated nearly 1,000 days ago, I don't expect an update at this keynote. The latest rumours suggest that while an update is coming, it's not expected until late 2024.
Event Will be Under 40 Minutes
This feels like a quick-in/quick-out event, much like Apple's Scary Fast event back in October 2023, which clocked in at just under 31 minutes. With what I'm expecting: four new iPads and an iPhone SE release, I foresee the event to last around 40 minutes, and I'm taking the under.
A New Apple Pencil is Introduced
Rumours have been swirling about the possibility of a new Apple Pencil, with some stories referencing a new "squeeze" gesture that may add functionality to the accessory. I'm also wondering if a slight redesign occurs to help the pencil magnetically attach to the new iPads, as I expect the front-facing camera will also move to landscape orientation, where the Apple Pencil 2 currently rests to charge.
To add a bit more risk, I wonder if this Pencil will be exclusive to the new iPad Pros (an Apple Pencil Pro, perhaps?) and if it will come in multiple colours to colour-match the finishes of the Pros.
Magic Keyboard Pro for iPad Pro Announced
I anticipate Apple introducing a new “Magic Keyboard Pro” exclusively for the new iPad Pro lineup that'll match the tweaked design of the new iPad Pro, increase the horizontal space for the new function row, and be constructed out of a different material than the dark Grey or White polyurethane of the current version (with rumours proposing that aluminum may be used for some of the product). This suggests that a different form factor than the cantilever design available since 2020 is possible. I am terrified to learn the price of another Magic Keyboard accessory.
I suspect any updates to the iPad Air (including the rumoured 12.9-inch Air) will use the existing Magic Keyboard/Folio accessories.
iPad Pro Preorders Begin on May 10
My hunch is that the iPad Pro & iPad Air (both of which I expect to be unveiled at this event) will have different preorder dates. There are rumours that the iPad Pro, specifically the 11-inch model, has experienced some supply constraints due to its OLED panel, and I wonder if we may see a later availability date than the iPad Air models. I expect the Airs to be available to order immediately following the conclusion of the Apple Event, and my guess is preorders for the Pros (and all its exclusive accessories) open up on Friday, May 10, at 05:00 PST.
A Secret Location is Accessed via Whimsical Transition
At some point during the event, we'll transition from one place to the next via some fancy corridor, portal, or secret underground tunnel accessed via the fountain inside the courtyard of Apple Park.
iPad Air Gets Vibrant New Colors
Imagining the iPad Air inspired by the colours of the M3 iMac.
Apple has kept the iPad colours relatively muted over the past two generations, sticking with dusty pinks, greyish purples, and desaturated green. In recent years, Apple's most vibrant device colours outside the iMac were the 10th-generation iPads, which feature far more saturated exclosures in Blue, Pink, and Yellow. I hope Apple gets a little daring this time and releases a more vibrant collection of iPad Air devices. I expect the Pros to remain locked to the Silver and Space Grey/Black duo.
Landscape Camera Comes to New iPads
We finally see the front-facing camera of the iPad Air and iPad Pro move to the landscape orientation. This pick is only correct if the Air AND the Pros get the new camera orientation.
Drone Footage of Apple Park
Apple Park at daybreak. Image source: Tim Cook
At some point during the opening sequence or transitioning between speakers, we see drone footage of Apple Park in the early morning light.
A Larger iPad Air (~12.9-inches) is Announced
One of the more significant announcements rumoured to come at this event is the introduction of a larger iPad Air with a design akin to the current 12.9-inch iPad Pro. A larger Air would give people a much larger canvas for using their iPad as a drawing tablet or become a much more spacious tablet computer without the much higher cost of the entry of the larger iPad Pro (which currently begins at $1,099). I guess that the larger Air will start at $799 and remain compatible with existing Magic Keyboard and Keyboard Folio accessories.
iPad Pro Gains Ability to Take Spatial Videos
I haven't seen this reported anywhere, but I wonder if the iPad Pros with their dual cameras get the ability to shoot Spatial Videos for viewing on the Apple Vision Pro.
iPad Pro Gets Dramatically Thinner
The rumours suggest that this crop of iPad Pros will get dramatically thinner than the previous generation. The 11-inch iPad Pro is expected to go from 5.9mm to 5.1mm (a 13% reduction), while the larger Pro is expected to shrink from 6.4mm to 5.0mm (nearly 22% thinner). If these rumours are true, the new iPads will be thinner than the 7th generation iPod nano, which was a chunky 5.4mm by comparison. I'm personally hoping this isn't true because a thinner iPad will likely pose a greater risk of bending and may have less battery life than it could if Apple opted to keep the thickness the same as the existing models.
The iPad Pros Get an OLED Panel
Apple is expected to introduce an OLED panel across the Pro lineup, which may increase the price of the iPad Pro. The added cost should bring a panel that offers brighter colours and more contrast to the display and hopefully improve device battery life as well.
All iPad Air Models get an LCD Display (no mini-LED)
The iPad Pro offers an LCD panel in the 11-inch model and a mini-LED panel in the 12.9-inch. If Apple releases a new, larger Air, it is expected to use an LCD panel rather than retain the mini-LED panel of the outgoing Pro.
Preorders for iPad Air Begin Following the Event
Unlike the iPad Pro, which I predict will have preorders beginning on May 10, I expect the iPad Air to be available immediately following the events conclusion.
Gaming on iPad Emphasized
There's no way we get an event, and Apple doesn't emphasize the power of its devices to play AAA titles.
New Apple Pencil Interacts with Vision Pro
Going out on a total whim and predicting that the redesigned Apple Pencil will also be able to interact with the Apple Vision Pro. Some ability for the Apple Pencil to be recognized inside the headset and used for drawing or writing will be available.
iPhone SE 4 Gets the Dynamic Island
Making a risky pick that Apple will opt to feature the Dynamic Island in the next iPhone SE. I've seen nothing to suggest this to be the case, and my better instincts are begging me to stick with it having the notch design, but here we go: SE 4 gets the Dynamic Island.
A Vision Pro International Rollout is not Announced
I'm not expecting Apple to use this event to discuss the rollout of Apple Vision Pro outside the United States. Gurman reports that China is one of the next markets (previously, the UK, Canada, and Australia have also been rumoured). I anticipate any Vision Pro expansion to come at or shortly after WWDC.
BONUS: Apple Increases base iCloud Storage from 5GB.
If Apple announces an increase to its base 5GB iCloud storage (even if that change comes in the form of 5GB per device), then an instant BINGO is declared.
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