Even though it's becoming increasingly likely that Apple won't hold an October event this year, the company still has a lot planned for this month: numerous new products and software updates are expected in the coming weeks.
According to Apple, new software updates will follow in October. However, rumors are also pointing to new products, as summarized below.
iPadOS 16 with Stage Manager
Apple said iPadOS 16 will be released in October. Although the company did not give an exact day of the month, Bloomberg's Mark Gurman said the software update is scheduled to be released the week of Monday, October 24. iPadOS 16 was originally scheduled to be released in September alongside iOS 16. But Apple has pushed the software update back to October, likely to focus on Stage Manager improvements after some users criticized the feature's various shortcomings. Due to the delay, the update will be released as iPadOS 16.1 instead of iPadOS 16.0.
Stage Manager was originally exclusive to iPad Pro and iPad Air models with the M1 chip. However, Apple recently expanded the feature to older iPad Pro models with A12X and A12Z chips, released in 2018 and 2020. The older models lack support for an external display, which limits the feature to four apps on the built-in display. iPadOS 16 is compatible with all iPad Pro models, the third-generation iPad Air and later, the fifth-generation iPad mini and later, and the fifth-generation iPad and later.
New iPad Pro
Apple is expected to unveil updated 11-inch and 12.9-inch iPad Pro models this month. Key new features are expected to include the M2 chip and support for wireless charging with MagSafe. Since Apple doesn't seem to be planning an October event this year, the new iPad Pro will likely be announced in a press release on the Apple Newsroom. Apple last updated the iPad Pro line in April 2021.
New features include the M1 chip, a Thunderbolt port, 5G support for the cellular models, a brighter display on the 12.9-inch model, and an improved 12-megapixel front-facing camera with support for Apple's Center Stage feature that helps you stay in frame in video apps like FaceTime. Apple is also expected to update its entry-level iPad this month with a new design that includes a larger 10.5-inch display, a USB-C port, and a flat chassis with a camera bump on the back. Other rumors include an A14 Bionic chip and 5G support for cellular models.
iOS 16.1 with Live Activities and more
Apple will release iOS 16.1 alongside iPadOS 16.1 this month, as the latest betas of both updates share the same build number. The software update will include several new features for the iPhone, such as support for Live Activity in third-party apps, a clean energy charging option in the US, support for Matter accessories in the Home app, Apple Fitness+ workouts without an Apple Watch, and more. Apple is also expected to release iOS 16.2 before the end of the year, as there are still promised iOS 16 features like Emergency SOS via satellite and Apple's new collaborative whiteboard app Freeform that have yet to launch.
macOS Ventura
Regarding macOS Ventura said Apple said the update will be released in October, but no specific date was given. However, it is safe to assume that macOS Ventura will be released alongside iOS 16.1 and iPadOS 16.1 in the last week of October, especially since macOS Monterey, iOS 15.1, and iPadOS 15.1 were all released on Monday, October 25th last year. macOS Ventura features its own version of Stage Manager for keeping windows in the foreground, a redesigned System Preferences app, support for using an iPhone as a Mac webcam, all-new Clock and Weather apps, and much more.
New Macs
In late August, Gurman said that Apple is working on new MacBook Pro, Mac mini, and Mac Pro models with M2 series chips. He added that we'll "probably see at least a pair of these devices in about two months," which is October. Gurman thinks it's more likely that the new Mac Pro will launch in 2023. But there's still a chance that the MacBook Pro and Mac mini will be updated along with macOS Ventura this month. Rumors suggest that the new 14- and 16-inch MacBook Pro models will come with M2 Pro and M2 Max chips, but will have few other changes. The new Mac mini is expected to be updated with M2 and M2 Pro chips. (Photo by Synel / Bigstockphoto)
