iPhone SE Suddenly Appears in Apple Online Store

The iPhone SE was discontinued a while back, but it has made a sudden return to the Apple Online Store, at least on clearance. It is being offered at a steal for just $249, down from $349. This is likely due to poor iPhone sales, outcry for a new i Phone SE, and strong demand for lower-priced iPhones. All of this in addition to clearing out some stock. Given that this item is on clearance, it likely won't be here to stay.

No iPhone SE 2 This Year

Unfortunately, Apple seems to have decided not to make an iPhone SE 2 for the foreseeable future. According to BluFin Research, the iPhone SE 2 had plans, but Apple ultimately decided against it. Despite this, it does not appear that the iPhone SE available today will be discontinued. In addition, we may still see the iPhone SE 2 come to fruition despite all of these rumors, but it seems unlikely at this point. I'd love to see an iPhone SE 2 come to market, especially if it takes on the style of the newer phones in the smaller form factor. 

No Hardware at WWDC?

A report from Bloomberg makes a bold claim that there will be no hardware announcements at WWDC. While we may see some update about AirPower, the report claims we likely won't hear about a new iPad Pro or iPhone SE 2. This comes after months of speculation of a possible unveiling at WWDC. He expects any hardware announcements to be reserved for later in the year. WWDC 2016 did introduce the iPad Pros we have today, but the iPad Pro line has a reputation for not having a regular refresh cycle.

Why the iPhone SE 2 is Imminent

Aside from rumors, I believe there is a logistical reason to believe that the iPhone SE 2 will launch very soon. The iPhone 6s will no longer be available to purchase this year. As the last iPhone to sport a headphone jack, and with Apple embracing a wireless future, I could see Apple releasing a new iPhone SE 2 without a headphone jack. This would cause all iPhones sold by Apple to have no headphone jack. This ultimately creates a standard that accessories must adhere to, like the Square credit card reader for example, which uses the headphone jack. A May launch seems very fitting if rumors hold true. 

iPhone SE 2 May Release?

Just when I thought we ran out of hope, it seems that we have some good evidence suggesting a May release for the iPhone SE 2. According to Mac Otakara, case makers are saying that the iPhone SE 2 will have no headphone jack and feature Touch ID. Touch ID likely means Face ID will not be on the iPhone SE 2, which also likely means that we will have a regular display. In addition, some legal documents filed in April for unreleased iPhones are suggesting a May release, as we saw similar documents being submitted for a new iPad in February, with a release in March. It would be nice to finally see the iPhone SE get a proper refresh, even if it isn't that significant.

New iPhone SE May Come in 2018

Apple may have plans to make a new iPhone SE for release in 2018 [Source: Economic Daily News]. The current iPhone SE is modeled aesthetically after the iPhone 5s and functionally after the iPhone 6s. We could see one modeled aesthetically after a hybrid iPhone 5s and iPhone X. This would be an iPhone 5s with a full screen and Face ID. Whether that will happen, I can't say. There is a good possibility that it would have a glass back to enable wireless charging, so that would be interesting regardless. We will likely hear about this in March of 2018.

iPhone SE Won't Receive Update in 2017

The iPhone SE is probably not going to receive an update next year according to Ming-Chi Kuo. This is because Apple wants to keep their focus on their high-end smartphones. Personally, I was hoping for an update this year. Even if we don't get one this year, it may be better if we get one for the iPhone 8, as that is expected to be a huge update for the iPhone. It's hard to really pinpoint the iPhone SE because it's different from the rest of the iPhones, in that it's cheaper and smaller. In addition, it uses a dated design. As always, we'll just have to see how things play out.

iPhone SEs and iPad Pros Ship Early To Customers

The iPhone SE and iPad Pro officially release tomorrow, March 31st. However, people in New Zealand have started to receive their devices. People have started posting their new devices on social media, as shown below. Tomorrow, American orders should be delivered. In addition, you can buy iPad Pros and iPhone SEs in-store at electronic retailers.

Image Credit: Jamesreb

Let Us Loop You In: The Scoop

While today's Apple event was a short one, only 63 minutes, it did have some interesting things. After school when I first saw what was announced, I was a bit disappointed to only see rehashed versions of already existing products like the iPhone SE and the iPad Pro.

But you do have to consider the most important business practice of all time, and that is timing.

You could have the greatest innovation, but if it isn't timed properly, it won't work. Take YouTube for example. There were many other companies with their own video services before YouTube, but they didn't take off because of timing. Dial up was slow and the internet wasn't ready for Markiplier and dank memes. The same goes with Apple and today's event. You shouldn't expect a new generation of products during a Spring launch. Apple has shifted away from Spring launches, with the exception of the Apple Watch. Apple very well knows that the holiday season is their time. That is the time when they should time their new generations.

Today was just a refresh. Evolving the iPad Air 2 (which was long overdue for an update) into the iPad Pro and proving that a good iPhone can be both budget-friendly and up-to-date. See Apple? This is what we wanted when you released the iPhone 5c! We wanted Johnny Ive on a budget, not a phone made in a 3D printer.

So, with that said, let's go over today's events.

iPad Pro

As I said earlier, today was a refresh day, so you really can't go into too much detail in terms of what's new. However, the new iPad Pro does bring more continuity with the Mac line of products. Apple is now advertising the iPad Pro as coming in two sizes. Sound familiar? Similar to the MacBook Pro and MacBook Air line, iPads now come in multiple sizes under one name. The new 9.7 inch iPad Pro can do pretty much everything the big iPad Pro can do. It's even getting its own Smart Keyboard case.

iPhone SE

Now we come to the little smartphone that could, the iPhone SE. I'll admit, I thought this was going to be an awful release when I first heard about it. But when the details and specs came out, I was astonished. It had all of the internals (with the exception of 3D Touch) of the current iPhone 6s. It had a 12 MP camera, Rose Gold color option, A9 chip, Live Photos, and support for the latest iOS. It succeeds where the iPhone 5c failed, proving that Apple did learn from their mistake. Guess how much (with a two-year contract) the iPhone SE costs for a 64 GB model. $49. Boom! And for the 16 GB model, it's free with a contract. Heck, that makes me want to get one as a developer phone.

Anyways, those were the bulk of the presentation. There were some software updates, Apple Watch bands, and a new thing called CareKit, but other than that, that was it. Oh, and Apple's 40th anniversary. So be sure to check out Apple's website for more information on the keynote. 

What I Could Dig Up: Let Us Loop You In

Here's a quick roundup of rumors for tomorrow's Apple Event entitled, "Let Us Loop You In."

iPhone SE

• Similar to iPhone 5s in design
• Up to date processors
• No 3D Touch

iPad Air 3

• Regular sized iPad Pro
• Compatible with Smart Keyboard and Apple Pencil
• Possible retiring of the "iPad Air" naming convention
• Could be named "iPad Pro"
• Similar design to iPad Air 2
• Starts at 32 GB for $599

Apple Watch Bands

• New color variations
• Sport Band
• Modern Buckle
• Leather Loop
• New Nylon Apple Watch Band
• Space Black Milanese Loop

iOS 9.3

• Night Shift
• More Quick Actions (3D Touch)
• New Health App
• Activity from Apple Watch
• Third party apps list shown in charts
• Password protected notes
• Apple School

watchOS 2.2

• Multiple Apple Watches to one (Developer only?)
• Revamped Maps app
• Quickly access home and work directions
• Search Nearby

OS X 10.11.4

• Performance improvements
• Password protected notes
• Import Evernote notes into Notes app
• View Live Photos in the Messages app

tvOS 9.2

• Supports Bluetooth keyboards and Dictation
• Folders for apps
• New Multitasking view
• Improved Photos App
• Support for iCloud Photo Library
• Live Photo Support
• Ask Siri to search for apps in the App Store
• MapKit support