Not a topic per se, this tag is mostly for me to keep an eye on picks that could become Ahead of Its Time in the future. This is a somewhat subjective decision, but in general, this should include anything that isn't too vague or too specific to a particular event. Product or feature release picks are more likely to be vindicatable, stagecraft and buzzkill picks are less likely.
Things to watch for
This is a consolidated list (a few of these have been picked multiple times) and also it's organized by likelihood and somewhat by category.
Only a matter of time
- Ted Lasso character cameo in a keynote
- Apple Silicon transition finishes (especially Mac Pro)
- Any new line of Mac with "Pro" in the name gets announced in 2022 or later
- New high end M1 Mac mini, and/or the Intel Mac mini finally goes away
- Big iMac comes back
- Mac mini gets a redesign past spring 2022
- AR/VR headset
- AR-specific features for Swift/SwiftUI
- Major iOS redesign
- iOS built-in app gets a bottom-of-the-screen-centric redesign
- Widgets get interactivity
- Old Today view widgets removed
- iOS Home app gets widgets
- iPhone always-on display
- A new, unique iPhone case
- New iPad Pro accessory
- iPadOS home screen changes
- Non-Pro iPad gets LIDAR
- A new Apple pro app for the iPad
- iPad Pro gets a GaN charger
- Regular iPad gets USB-C
- macOS updated Today view
- macOS gets Dashboard back
- Apple Watch SE either price cut or discontinued
- Apple Watch gets 5G
- Apple Pencil update, or support on non-iPads
- Mac App Store gets a major redesign
- Apple classical
- Music gets an updated Listen Now page
Other things that could happen
- iCloud 5 gig limit increase
- iPad gets multi user
- iPad gets more PiP-style floating windows
- New color AirPod
- Apple Podcasts for Android
- A new Intel iMac
- iPhone USB-C
- A chip named M1 plus a letter
- High-end audio product/DAC
- macOS version number fast-forward to iOS number
- MagSafe puck goes to 20 watts
- iPhone Pro has a year with 5 colors
- Mac gets 5G
- MacBook power bricks with Ethernet
- AirPower finally comes out
- iPhone subscription for both hardware and services
- iPhone with Touch ID
- AirPods Max gets options for new materials
- An AirTags 3-pack instead of the current 4-pack
- iPad camera moves to long side
- Smart Connector on iPad mini
- Ceramic Apple Watch returns
- Any new color name for MacBook Pro (not silver or space grey), and one pick is specifically for "Space Black"
- Apple TV game controller bundle or first-party Apple controller
- Apple TV price drops: below $149 for HD, below $179/$199 for 4K
- Apple TV gets widgets
- New coding app for iPad that isn't Swift Playgrounds
- Shortcuts gets ability to interact with files outside of its sandbox
- Shortcuts gets XL iPad widget
- Shortcuts trigger for USB connections
- Shortcuts API for apps to run Shortcuts without URL schemes
- Shortcuts for Mac personal automations
- iPhone portrait lock except for video
- New Notes framework for developers
- Native icon changing for iOS
- More than 13" iPad Pro
- DriverKit for iPadOS
- Safari light/dark mode per site
- An iPad hypervisor
- iOS keychain settings becomes an app
- iOS gets split view on the phone
- iPadOS gets 3 column split view
- Improved Reminders API
- macOS Mammoth
Direct links to all of the picks
Stephen's Possible Vindication Picks
| Type | 2017 Annual Predictions | Score | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stephen | Regular | "iCloud free 5 GB limit will be increased" | 0 |
| Stephen | Non‑graded | "Multi-user on iPad support for the masses" | 0 |
| Type | Audio Predictions | Score | |
| Stephen | Regular | "At least 1 more color option comes to AirPods" | 0 |
| Type | 2020 Annual Rickies | Score | |
| Stephen | Risky | "Apple Podcast app launches on Android" | -1 |
| Type | 2020 October Rickies | Score | |
| Stephen | Risky | "The iPhone Pro moves to USB-C" | -1 |
| |||
| Type | 2021 Annual Rickies | Score | |
| Stephen | Flexie | "There will be a chip named M1 followed by a letter" | 0 |
| Stephen | Flexie | "Apple ships an AR, VR, and/or MR dedicated device" | 0 |
| Type | 2021 WWDC Rickies | Score | |
| Stephen | Regular | "iPadOS 15 brings organization changes to the home screen that don’t exist on the iPhone, including iOS 15" | 0 |
| |||
| Stephen | Risky | "Apple unveils a new high-end audio product" | -1 |
| |||
| Stephen | Flexie | "macOS skips ahead to version 15 to match iOS and iPadOS" | 0 |
| Stephen | Flexie | "The next version of macOS comes with a redesigned Today view" | 0 |
| Type | 2021 September Rickies | Score | |
| Stephen | Risky | "MagSafe is updated to support 20 watt charging or higher, but a new puck is required" | -1 |
| |||
| Stephen | Flexie | "The Apple Watch moves to 5G networking" | 0 |
| Type | 2021 October Rickies | Score | |
| Stephen | Risky | "5G becomes an option on at least one MacBook" | -1 |
| Stephen | Flexie | "The new MacBook Pro power bricks have ports on them, like the iMac does for Ethernet" | 0 |
| Type | 2022 Annual Rickies | Score | |
| Stephen | Regular | "The 11" iPad Pro gets a mini LED display" | 0 |
| |||
| Stephen | Risky | "Apple (of its own choice, not in direct response to a legal case) will allow developers to use payment methods outside the App Store" | -1 |
| Stephen | Flexie | "A new home-focused device is released" | 0 |
| Type | 2022 March Rickies | Score | |
| Stephen | Regular | "Larger, more powerful iMac is introduced" | 0 |
| |||
| Stephen | Risky | "Apple announces an update to AirPods Max, that support wireless lossless playback, to take full advantage of Apple's new classical music service" | -1 |
| |||
| Stephen | Flexie | "A revised 13" MBP drops the Touch Bar but does not add MagSafe" | 0 |
| Type | 2022 WWDC Rickies | Score | |
| Stephen | Risky | "The new version of macOS brings back Dashboard as a way to place widgets outside of the current Notification Center" | -1 |
| |||
| Stephen | Flexie | "macOS 13 is called "Mammoth"" | 0 |
| Type | 2022 September Rickies | Score | |
| Stephen | Risky | "iOS gets split-view support for multitasking to use 2 apps at once (reuse)" | -1 |
| |||
| Stephen | Flexie | "The iPhone 14 Pro comes in a total of five colors" | 0 |
| Stephen | Flexie | "Apple shows off at least one new MagSafe accessory" | 0 |
| Stephen | Flexie | "The A16 is built on a 3 nanometer process" | 0 |
| |||
| Stephen | Flexie | "The new high-end Apple Watch is named the "Apple Watch Pro"" | 0 |
| Stephen | Flexie | "The iPhone 14 Pro switches to titanium for the side rails" | 0 |
| |||
| Stephen | Flexie | "Center Stage comes to the iPhone" | 0 |
| |||
| Stephen | Flexie | "Lightning is updated to be faster than USB 2.0" | 0 |
| |||
| Type | 2023 WWDC Rickies | Score | |
| Stephen | Flexie | "The 15-inch MacBook Air will be powered by an M3" | 0 |
| Type | 2023 September Rickies | Score | |
| Stephen | Risky | "Apple announces a multi-device charger that looks a lot like AirPower, without designated charging targets" | -1 |
| |||
| Stephen | Flexie | "Some iPhones will come with color-matched cables" | 0 |
| Stephen | Flexie | "Apple Watch SE is not updated, but receives a price cut" | 0 |
| |||
| Stephen | Flexie | "Apple Watch Ultra 2 comes in at least 1 new finish" | 0 |
| Stephen | Flexie | "iPhone Pro models will be equipped with Thunderbolt, but will come with a USB-C cable in the box, requiring a separate purchase of a Thunderbolt cable" | 0 |
| Stephen | Flexie | "iPhone 15 and 15 Plus get an always-on display" | 0 |
Myke's Possible Vindication Picks
| Type | 2017 Annual Predictions | Score | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Myke | Regular | "An iPhone Pro with Apple Pencil support, 2 Apple Pencils" | 0 |
| |||
| Type | 2018 Annual Predictions | Score | |
| Myke | Risky | "iOS 12 features a large scale UI redesign across iOS, the biggest since iOS 7" | -1 |
| Myke | Non‑graded | "A new Apple Pencil with a button of some kind" | 0 |
| |||
| Type | The AirPower Game | Score | |
| Myke | Non‑graded | "AirPower will come out after the 2018 iPhone event" | 0 |
| Type | 2018 iPhone Event Predictions | Score | |
| Myke | Non‑graded | "A new, unique case" | 0 |
| Type | 2019 Annual Predictions | Score | |
| Myke | Risky | "Apple releases an iPhone subscription service that bundles a device, AppleCare, and a selection of other Apple content services into one monthly payment" | -1 |
| |||
| Type | 2020 September Rickies | Score | |
| Myke | Risky | "A non-Pro iPad gets a LIDAR sensor" | -1 |
| Type | 2020 October Rickies | Score | |
| Myke | Risky | "The new iPhone will have a Touch ID sensor" | -1 |
| Myke | Flexie | "Over-ear AirPods are offered with multiple material options" | 0 |
| Type | 2021 Annual Rickies | Score | |
| Myke | Risky | "A Mac gets a screen that supports touch and/or Apple Pencil input" | -1 |
| |||
| Myke | Flexie | "Another variant of over-ear headphones will be released" | 0 |
| |||
| Myke | Flexie | "A new iMac has adjustability that is reminiscent of the Pro Display XDR" | 0 |
| Type | 2021 April Rickies | Score | |
| Myke | Flexie | "New iPad Pro accessory" | 0 |
| |||
| Myke | Flexie | "You can buy AirTags in a 3-pack" | 0 |
| |||
| Myke | Flexie | "The camera on the iPad Pro moves to the long side" | 0 |
| Type | 2021 September Rickies | Score | |
| Myke | Flexie | "A new iPad mini is introduced with a refreshed design, new colours previously not a part of the product, USB-C, Smart Connector, and 5G support" | 0 |
| |||
| Myke | Flexie | "There is a ceramic Apple Watch" | 0 |
| Type | 2021 October Rickies | Score | |
| Myke | Regular | "We get a colour option that is new to the MacBook Pro (name)" | 0 |
| |||
| Myke | Risky | "Apple teases another Mac, that is not for sale right now, with Pro in the name, and says that it is coming next year" | -1 |
| |||
| Type | 2022 Annual Rickies | Score | |
| Myke | Risky | "The new Mac Pro will be..." | -1 |
| |||
| Myke | Flexie | "New AirPods Max" | 0 |
| |||
| Myke | Flexie | "An iMac Pro is unveiled" | 0 |
| Type | 2022 March Rickies | Score | |
| Myke | Regular | "Apple introduces a new Mac mini with an updated design" | 0 |
| |||
| Myke | Risky | "The new iPhone SE has a design influenced by the iPhone mini, it does not feature Face ID, it has a Touch ID power button" | -1 |
| Type | 2022 WWDC Rickies | Score | |
| Myke | Flexie | "Widgets on tvOS" | 0 |
| |||
| Myke | Flexie | "More apps can use a picture-in-picture-style window on iPadOS" | 0 |
| Type | 2022 September Rickies | Score | |
| Myke | Risky | "AirPods Max 2 can be folded to store more compactly" | -1 |
| |||
| Myke | Flexie | "Astrophotography feature" | 0 |
| |||
| Myke | Flexie | "Apple gives a new name to the A15 chip found in the non-Pro iPhones" | 0 |
| |||
| Type | 2023 WWDC Rickies | Score | |
| Myke | Risky | "Apple introduces a Copilot-like feature for Xcode powered by AI/ML" | -1 |
| |||
| Type | 2023 September Rickies | Score | |
| Myke | Flexie | "New Apple Watch Ultra band style" | 0 |
| Myke | Flexie | "The Pro Max becomes the Ultra" | 0 |
| Myke | Flexie | "Apple debuts a new style of charging accessory for the iPhone" | 0 |
| Myke | Flexie | "Apple announces new AirPods Max, featuring USB-C and made of titanium" | 0 |
Federico's Possible Vindication Picks
| Type | 2019 Annual Predictions | Score | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Federico | Non‑graded | "AirPower is released and new AirPods are released" | 0 |
| Type | 2019 Fall Rickies | Score | |
| Federico | Risky | "Apple announces Apple TV and game controller bundle" | -1 |
| |||
| Type | 2020 Summer Rickies | Score | |
| Federico | Risky | "The iPad gets a new development tool to write code, on device, that is not Swift Playgrounds" | -1 |
| Federico | Non‑graded | "Shortcuts gets new Files integration, ability to run bookmarks in 3rd party actions" | 0 |
| Federico | Non‑graded | "iOS will get the ability the ability to lock the phone to portrait, but continue watching videos in landscape" | 0 |
| Federico | Non‑graded | "New Notes framework for developers" | 0 |
| Type | 2020 November Rickies | Score | |
| Federico | Flexie | "Apple redesigns the App Store app for Mac to include iOS, macOS, and iPadOS apps together" | 0 |
| Type | 2021 Annual Rickies | Score | |
| Federico | Risky | "Apple will release a new programming app for iPad" | -1 |
| |||
| Federico | Flexie | "Apple releases its own game controller" | 0 |
| Federico | Flexie | "iOS gets a native feature to change icons for any app you want" | 0 |
| Federico | Flexie | "Apple releases a bigger iPad Pro" | 0 |
| Federico | Flexie | "At least one new iPhone model has both Face ID and Touch ID" | 0 |
| Federico | Flexie | "WidgetKit will support new widget sizes and more interactivity" | 0 |
| |||
| Type | 2021 April Rickies | Score | |
| Federico | Flexie | "Shortcuts gets new actions or triggers for USB connections" | 0 |
| Federico | Flexie | "Hypervisor comes to iPad" | 0 |
| Federico | Flexie | "The new iPad Pro comes with a fancy new GaN charger" | 0 |
| Type | 2021 WWDC Rickies | Score | |
| Federico | Risky | "Legacy widgets are completely removed from the system, and there is no longer a place to put widgets to the left of the main home screen" | -1 |
| Federico | Flexie | "The Passwords feature of Settings becomes a standalone app" | 0 |
| Federico | Flexie | "The next version of iOS lets you change icons for apps natively" | 0 |
| |||
| Type | 2021 October Rickies | Score | |
| Federico | Flexie | "Apple unveils a "Space Black" MacBook Pro" | 0 |
| Federico | Flexie | "There is going to be a funny scene involving one of the characters of Ted Lasso" | 0 |
| |||
| Type | 2022 Annual Rickies | Score | |
| Federico | Regular | "At least one AirPods model will support lossless music playback" | 0 |
| Federico | Risky | "iOS 16 brings major changes for systemwide design customization" | -1 |
| |||
| Federico | Flexie | "Apple stops using the iTunes Store app, and moves store content into dedicated apps" | 0 |
| Federico | Flexie | "Apple brings Mail extensions to iOS and iPadOS" | 0 |
| Federico | Flexie | "Some Mac-only Shortcuts actions will become available on iPhone and iPad" | 0 |
| Federico | Flexie | "Podcasts will gain audio effects for enhanced sound and trim silence" | 0 |
| |||
| Type | 2022 March Rickies | Score | |
| Federico | Flexie | "The new Mac mini comes in more colors than silver and grey" | 0 |
| |||
| Federico | Flexie | "Apple releases new AirPods colors" | 0 |
| Type | 2022 WWDC Rickies | Score | |
| Federico | Risky | "iOS gets split-view support for multitasking to use 2 apps at once" | -1 |
| |||
| Federico | Flexie | "Shortcuts gets an API on iOS and iPadOS for apps to run Shortcuts directly, without URL schemes" | 0 |
| Federico | Flexie | "Shortcuts for Mac gets personal automations" | 0 |
| Federico | Flexie | "You will be able to set light and dark mode on a per-website basis in Safari" | 0 |
| Federico | Flexie | "The Music app gets an updated design in the Listen Now page" | 0 |
| |||
| Federico | Flexie | "iPadOS gets improved split view with at least 3 apps at once" | 0 |
| Federico | Flexie | "Apple releases a Safari API to deal with cookie consent forms" | 0 |
| Federico | Flexie | "Apple introduces a proper Reminders API for developers" | 0 |
| Federico | Flexie | "Shortcuts gets an XL widget on iPad" | 0 |
| Type | 2022 September Rickies | Score | |
| Federico | Risky | "The iPhone 14 Pro Camera app introduces some kind of 3D capturing functionality" | -1 |
| Federico | Flexie | "Faster MagSafe charging in at least one of the new iPhones" | 0 |
| Federico | Flexie | "You will be able to control which data types show on the always-on lock screen" | 0 |
| |||
| Type | 2023 WWDC Rickies | Score | |
| Federico | Risky | "The next version of iPadOS will introduce a brand new audio routing system, with support for selecting different input sources, similar to macOS..." | -1 |
| |||
| Federico | Flexie | "Stage Manager for iPad gets support for clamshell mode with external displays" | 0 |
| Federico | Flexie | "The next version of macOS is called Skyline" | 0 |
| Federico | Flexie | "The Wallet app gets a new design" | 0 |
| |||
| Type | 2023 September Rickies | Score | |
| Federico | Risky | "At least one of the new iPhones will support the new Qi 2 wireless charging standard..." | -1 |
| |||