Apple in 2021: 5 things we want to see

Make no mistake: Apple had a pretty good 2020. Admittedly, it faced a lot of trouble, not the least of which was the ongoing battle against Epic Games. Overall, however, the company ended 2020 with a ton of victories, including the biggest year ever to launch new iPhones.

In 2021, the company will likely chug on and do what it does best: bring out expertly designed products that work incredibly well in its walled garden ecosystem. But there is still a lot of room for improvement. In 2021, the company was finally able to address some of its biggest problems.

Below are the five things we’d like to see most from Apple in 2021. Remember, we only put realistic things on this list. That means iMessage shouldn’t come to Android, touchscreen MacBooks, foldable iPhones, etc. Our list only includes things could happen in 2021.

---

1. Give the iPhone a modern makeover

Today’s iPhone is drastically different from the first iPhone in 2007. However, the four devices in the iPhone 12 range aren’t all that different from the design that was first introduced in 2017 with the iPhone X. Just looking at the display, you’ll find it difficult to identify an iPhone that was launched in the past three years. This is in stark contrast to the world of Android, which has seen a lot of design changes lately. We hope that Apple will change something in 2021 as well.

Outside the front of the iPhone, there are a few things Apple either needs to bring back or bring in for the first time. We really hope we can see a higher refresh rate on an iPhone in 2021. We’re also hoping for fast wireless charging (and even more consistent protocols) and support for audio codecs other than just AAC.

Connected: 8 things iOS does better than Android

We also hope Apple understands by now that going all-in on Face ID wasn’t the best move. In the age of COVID-19, not having a fingerprint scanner on your phone is more of a hindrance than anything.

The bottom line is that Apple is still resting a little too much on its laurels when it comes to its star product. It may not have to jump at every new design and feature trend, but there are some things it can’t afford to ignore. Let’s hope the company catches up a little in 2021.

---

2. A more open Apple Watch

Without an exaggeration, the Apple Watch Series 6 was the best smartwatch of 2020. Without a doubt. In fact, it blows away pretty much every smartwatch on the market.

However, you can’t use an Apple Watch without an iPhone. If you buy one on its own, it just won’t work until you pair it with an iPhone. In addition, you need to regularly sync the device with an iPhone to get access to all health data and other functions. Put simply, the Apple Watch is only for iPhone users.

Connected: The best smartwatch you can buy right now

It’s in Apple’s interest to change that in 2021. As early as 2020, the rules were changed a bit, as parents can set up Apple Watches for their children without having to connect these watches to iPhones. Now everyone just has to buy the watch and pair it with an Android phone, tablet or even a Windows PC.

If you allow Android users to buy an Apple Watch, they will only be manufactured More probably switch from Android to iOS. It’s an easy way to attract new loyalists!

We hope that Apple will make the watch universally compatible in 2021. At the very least, a separate watch product could be created to work with other systems.

---

3. An Apple TV stick

When you consider that the Apple TV Plus got in pretty late with the streaming wars, it’s a real feat that does it as well as it is. Oddly enough, Apple’s own streaming entertainment hardware – the Apple TV – is over three years old.

Several rumors support the idea that Apple will correct this with a new set-top box in 2021. It should have the usual upgrades: a faster processor, a new remote control, etc. However, it will likely still be quite expensive. The current generation Apple TV 4K costs a whopping $ 179. The next-gen version will likely stick to that price or go even higher.

Connected: The best media streaming devices for your TV

The company needs to release something that is much cheaper in order to better compete with Roku, Amazon, and Google. An Apple TV stick would make the most sense. If Apple could keep the price around $ 50 it would be exceptionally good. It would only help bolster subscriptions to Apple TV Plus.

The existence of the iPhone SE and the low entry-level prices for the iPhone 12 series prove that Apple is not above offering products at competitive prices. Time will tell if it offers a cheaper entry in the streaming hardware space, but it would be silly to skip it.

---

4. Revised App Store Policies

Apple is in an all-out legal brawl with Epic Games, the company behind Fortnite. The legal dispute is about the question of how much money Apple receives from developers who publish products through the official App Store, among other things.

We won’t go into all the nuances of the litigation here, but it does highlight a real issue that Apple has on its hands. Regardless of which side you support, the Apple / Epic battle proves the App Store is out of date. Your policies need to be freshened up for the world as it is today.

Connected: How to play Fortnite on your Android or iOS device

This is proven even further when you talk about cloud games. This year, Google Stadia, Xbox Game Pass, and Nvidia GeForce Now paved the way for the future of game streaming, but none of these apps are officially available for iPhones and iPads. App Store policies don’t allow them to be consumer friendly.

We fully understand that the App Store is owned by Apple and that it should be able to work with it as it wishes. Refusing to change over time, however, is a death knell in the technology world, and that’s exactly what Apple is doing here. Sure, it has overhauled things slightly by allowing smaller developers to cut their profits more generously, but that’s too little too late. We hope that in 2021 the company realizes that times are changing.

---

5. The end of the Lightning port

We ask for this every year. This year, more than any other year, it is absolutely possible that Apple will finally make it.

Apple has already switched to the universal USB-C format for almost every product. This includes MacBooks and iPads. Even the latest iPhones use USB-C ports for their non-included charging stations. The only thing left is the damn Lightning connector on the bottom of every modern iPhone.

Connected: Hey Apple, now would be a good time to get rid of Lightning

There are rumors that there could be a portless iPhone in 2021. If so, Apple could skip the USB-C ports in iPhones and just go for wireless charging and connectivity. However, not everyone will be able to (or want to) afford this iPhone without a port. So Apple will continue to need cable connections on future smartphones, and they will too need USB-C and not Lightning.

If nothing else, it’s impossible for Apple to uphold “We’re a green company, we really care about the environment” while creating unnecessary waste with a proprietary cabling system.

---

They tell us: what would you like to see from Apple in 2021?

We believe the five things listed above are 2021 changes that any Apple fan would appreciate. However, some may be more important to you than others. Now is your chance to let us know which one would mean most to you. Simply vote in our poll below.

If you are feeling chatty, feel free to explain your choice in the comments below. You can also let us know if there is anything more important than these five things that you will hopefully see from Apple in 2021.