This week, Apple filed an updated listing in the Bluetooth Launch Studio, a move which is often a sign of impending product launches. The new listing does not reveal what kind of products are being unveiled, but it does cite the most current Bluetooth 5.3 standard and links it to Apple’s prior macOS details, leading to speculation that upcoming Macs may be involved.
In early 2021, rumors began to swirl about the possibility of Apple releasing refreshed versions of the MacBook Air and Mac Pro for the first half of 2023. According to these predictions, the new MacBook Air could potentially sport a 15.6-inch display and make use of Apple’s M2 chip, while the Mac Pro could be a redesign of the 2019 model, possibly featuring an M2 Ultra chip. While some foresee a potential March or April 2021 press release to announce these new devices, others believe an unveiling won’t take place until Apple’s WWDC event in June 2021.
Bluetooth 5.3 garners wide praise for its improved dependability, stronger connection fidelity, and increased power-saving capabilities – all of which are welcome attributes for any gadgets and devices. In the past several months, Apple has added the 5.3 standard to the iPhone 14 series, their latest Apple Watch gear, 14 and 16-inch MacBook Pros, Mac mini, and many more items.
Typically, prior to a product release, Apple takes further steps to add them onto existing Bluetooth Launch Studio listings. What is still uncertain is if Apple plans to hold a press event in March or April 2021, or if new products will be propelled to the public through press releases. In the meantime, Apple recently updated their 13-inch MacBook Air with the M2 chip, and the Mac Pro has seen no new updates since December 2019, increasing speculation of a near-future Mac Pro discharge.
Moreover, industry insiders predict that 2021 could be the last opportunity consumers have to obtain a Mac model with the M2 chip, as Apple is supposedly transitioning over to the next-gen M3 trim the latter half of the year.
Overall, the use of the latest Bluetooth 5.3 standard and close relation to macOS offer no small amount of speculation that Apple is preparing something big for 2021. While nothing is certain until official announcements are released, the evidence seems to point to a possible unveiling of updated 15-inch MacBook Air and Mac Pro models sometime between March and June. While we wait for the facts, let us know your thoughts about what is in store for the Apple fanatics of 2021 in the comments below!
