Isn’t it surprising that Apple is hosting the “Let Loose” event on May 7th, especially with WWDC just around the corner? They must have some big news to share if they’re holding a standalone event. It looks like iPads, especially the iPad Pro and iPad Air, will take the spotlight, and it seems the Apple Pencil will finally get some attention too, judging by the event invite.
There’s also buzz about a potential M4 announcement, which would shake up Apple’s chip release schedule, possibly in response to Microsoft’s plans to unveil ARM-based silicon at its Build conference. If true, this move would be quite a departure from Apple’s usual rhythm of chip releases, but it’s understandable given the competition.
The timing of this potential M4 release is interesting, considering Apple only introduced the M3 chips about seven months ago. It seems like they might be readjusting their release schedule due to supply chain issues. And there’s speculation that we might see more M4 variants announced at WWDC.
It’s possible that the new chip could debut on the iPad Pro first, before making its way to other devices. The high-end iPad is due for an update, and rumors suggest it might also come with an OLED display, which would be a significant upgrade.
Meanwhile, the iPad market has seen better days, with overall sales decreasing last year. A refreshed lineup, especially with a redesigned iPad Pro, could give Apple’s tablet sales a much-needed boost.
There’s talk of new iPad Air models coming too, possibly with an M2 chip, though if the M4 is announced, they might get an upgrade as well.
And let’s not forget about the Apple Pencil, which could be getting some new features like squeeze detection and haptic feedback, along with Find My support.
As for Macs, the arrival of the M4 chip might prompt some computer refreshes, although major updates could be saved for WWDC.
The event kicks off early for those on the West Coast, so set your alarms for 7 a.m. PT/10 a.m. ET. You can catch the livestream and stay updated with the latest news on TechCrunch.
