MacBook Air Laptops (Photo : REUTERS/Mario Anzuoni )
It will be a rebranded Apple operating system that will fire up the MacBook Pro and MacBook Air 2016 refresh on release date with more proofs indicating that OS X 10.12 morph into MacOS come the June WWDC event. And as previously rumored, the devices will be slimmer and lighter than ever.
Apple is yet to confirm that it plans to resurrect the MacOS label in lieu of OS X but new evidence suggests that the rumored OS renaming is all but confirmed. MacRumors reported of Apple documentation that details the soon-to-be introduced revenue split for subscription-based applications. In it, MacOS was mentioned alongside iOS, tvOS and watchOS or the various platforms for Apple-made devices.
The slip has since been corrected but the screenshot that accompanied the report only reinforced the speculations that for the 2016 WWDC, MacOS will make a comeback. Prior to the OS X era and earlier builds, Apple's operating system for Mac desktops and laptops was known as macOS.
The MacOS reentry will also mark switch by the MacBook Pro and Air from Intel Broadwell to the sixth-generation Skylake that promises increased computing muscle and speed but with more efficient use of energy.
And the new MacBook Pros specifically will represent a design overhaul of the line that Apple-focused analyst Ming-chi Kuo said will render the 2016 versions as the slimmest and lightest build ever. In a fresh claim published this week and picked up by Apple Insider, Japanese blog MacOtakara said that the further trimmed down MBPs will make use of USB-C and Thunderbolt 3 ports that will only highlight the devices' redesigned profile.
Among the feature upgrades to expect are OLED touch panel to replace the physical function keys, Siri for Mac that will permit hands-free control of the MacBooks and remote Touch ID unlocking via iPhone.
But what could prove as the biggest surprise packed with the 2016 MacBook unveiling is the MacOtakara report that the MacBook Air will not be discontinued. Alongside the MacBook Pro 2016, the new Airs will unpack in 13-inch and 15-inch form factor or mirroring the same screen sizes tipped for the upcoming MBPs.
MacOtakara said that Apple will intro the new MacBooks and MacOS via the 2016 WWDC this June but the actual release date will not happen until August for the MacBook Air 2016 and October for the more powerful MacBook Pro 2016.
