What Apple Product, Market News to Expect Through the End of 2016

Although the first half of 2016 was relatively quiet for Apple, expect some big announcements from the tech giant in the second half of the year.

There is no doubt that Apple will announce a new iPhone this year. Believed to be known as the iPhone 7, the device will reportedly come with minor upgrades to its design, internal component enhancements and, according to some rumors, no headphone jack, requiring users to listen to music with Bluetooth headphones or via a Lightning port adapter.

Apple has largely ignored the iPad Air, so it would make sense that the company updates the tablet this year. The iPad Air could come with some internal component enhancements, as well as a slimmer design to make it stand apart from the iPad Pro. Tablets sales might still be sinking, but Apple believes it can turn things around in that market. Delivering a new iPad Air could help the company do that. Image 2: Please use this image:

Expect to find USB-C in more Apple products as time goes on. The versatile port, which supports both charging and display use, could very well come to new MacBook Pros and perhaps even a new MacBook Air. This year, at least, Apple will expand its USB-C use to take advantage of its appealing features.

As iOS 10 clearly shows, 3D Touch, the feature that performs different software functions based on how hard a person presses on the screen, will appear in more Apple products. Expect to find 3D Touch in the new iPhone and perhaps even in new iPads. The feature adds quite a bit to the overall iOS 10 experience, and Apple seems committed to the technology.

Rumors abound that Apple will talk even more about encryption and security this year with the launch of the iPhone 7. The company could deliver end-to-end encryption in iCloud, talk about extra security features it’s bundling in its hardware and more. After its battle with the FBI, Apple’s future is firmly cemented in encryption and data security.

If a new MacBook Pro launches, it will be one of the more interesting products from Apple this year. According to several reports, Apple will deliver a new MacBook Pro that will have an OLED-based touchbar above the keyboard. That touchbar will offer quick access to certain apps and add new functions that were not previously available in the computer. It could launch sometime this fall.

Although Apple has discontinued its Thunderbolt Display and said customers should consider third-party options, several reports say the company is working on a replacement. In fact, the new display could come with 5K resolution and have an integrated graphics chip to expand its ability to deliver high-end visuals—even on lower-end Macs.

Apple Pay will be available through the Internet, thanks to its addition in macOS Sierra. Mobile payments are expected to grow dramatically in the coming years, and Apple Pay is hoping to grow its presence in that market. Later this year, expect to hear more about how Apple Pay is expanding its presence online and in other countries around the world.

Several rumors suggested Apple would launch Apple Watch 2 earlier this year, but that never happened. That has led to speculation that Apple Watch 2 will launch later this year with its new and improved watchOS operating system. Expect the device to come with a refined design and better performance, among other features.

Apple CEO Tim Cook has been focusing much of his attention on India and its burgeoning middle class. And now that the country’s regulators have made it easier to open retail stores in India, Apple will undoubtedly expand its presence there. India is widely viewed as the next important marketplace for tech companies, and Apple wants to be leading that movement. Later this year, Apple will likely outline its plan to achieve its goal of being the most prominent technology company in India.