What will Apple announce next week? Our predictions! (CultCast #686)
Feb 14, 2025
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Get ready for thrilling Apple predictions! From a surprise product reveal teased by Tim Cook to the innovative heart-rate monitoring in the new Powerbeats Pro 2, there’s plenty to discuss. The hosts dive into speculation about upcoming iPhones, potential new AirTags, and even a high-end printing device. Personal anecdotes about Apple products spice up the conversation, making it entertaining and insightful as they predict what Apple has in store for tech enthusiasts.
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Quick takeaways
The podcast discusses the upcoming Apple product announcements with speculation around devices such as the iPhone SE4 and Powerbeats Pro 2.
Apple is venturing into the robotics space, exploring both humanoid and non-humanoid designs for future smart home ecosystems.
The new Powerbeats Pro 2 earbuds feature advancements like heart rate monitoring and boast significant enhancements in audio quality and battery life.
Deep dives
Device Preferences and Returns
The discussion highlights a personal experience with recent Apple products, focusing on the decision to return a 13-inch iPad Pro and a 14-inch MacBook Pro. The larger screen of the iPad Pro, while appealing for artists, diminished usability for everyday tasks, prompting a preference for the 11-inch model instead. The 14-inch MacBook Pro was returned primarily due to dissatisfaction with its Space Black color and the constant maintenance required to keep it clean from fingerprints. The speaker also noted the appeal of refurbished products as a more economical choice, emphasizing significant savings compared to buying new models.
Upcoming Apple Products
Anticipation grows around new Apple products slated for announcement, including the iPhone SE4 and potentially a refreshed Power Beats Pro. The speaker mentions that Tim Cook hinted at a new family member, suggesting that multiple announcements could occur rather than just a single product launch. There's speculation that the new product could be an iPhone or a highly anticipated device like a HomePod with a screen. The conversation also emphasizes the excitement surrounding a product reveal, especially given Apple's typical marketing strategies around product launches.
Apple's Future Product Innovations
The podcast delves into Apple's potential ventures into robotics, indicating that the company is exploring both humanoid and non-humanoid designs for future smart home ecosystems. The goals revolve around creating products that enhance user experience without necessarily mimicking human forms. Discussion points focus on how Apple's innovations might contrast with existing models from competitors, aiming to establish a distinct presence in the burgeoning robotics market. Analysts speculate on the timelines for these developments, suggesting that mass production of such products might not begin until 2028.
Power Beats Pro 2 Features
The newly designed Power Beats Pro 2 earbuds are highlighted as Apple's latest advancement in audio technology, boasting an array of features such as built-in heart rate monitoring and spatial audio. Equipped with the H2 chip, they promise enhanced sound quality along with improved battery life, reportedly offering up to 45 hours with the charging case. The conversation suggests that these earbuds cater to fitness enthusiasts with their secure fit designed for active use. Additionally, the popularity of previous versions is noted, despite mixed visibility compared to AirPods, indicating a strong consumer base for these specific earbuds.
Data Privacy with Incogni
The podcast introduces Incogni, a service designed to help users reclaim their personal data from various data brokers. The service automates the process of sending removal requests and consistently follows up on these requests to ensure data privacy. A dashboard interface allows users to monitor removal progress, thus reducing unsolicited spam and enhancing overall online security. The emphasis is placed on the importance of privacy in a digital age rife with data breaches and identity theft, highlighting the effectiveness of services like Incogni in protecting personal information.
Surprise Apple announcement coming next week — we’ll lay out our predictions! Also, we’re talking about the new Powerbeats Pro 2, and Apple’s shift into foldable iPhones and robotics.
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Tim Cook revealed Thursday that Apple plans to launch a new product on February 19. Cook’s post is deliberately vague, saying only, “Get ready to meet the newest member of the family.”
The updated and redesigned Powerbeats Pro 2 is Apple’s first set of earbuds to feature built-in heart rate monitoring, and feature ear hooks for a secure fit during workouts.
A report from late last year suggested Apple wants to launch its first foldable in 2026. Bloomberg‘s Mark Gurman reiterates the same in his latest Power On newsletter.
Robots may become Apple’s next big thing. It’s looking for a completely new product category to grow its business, and robots might be the answer, according to an unconfirmed report from Ming-Chi Kuo.