Ming-Chi Kuo: Refreshed Mac mini, iPads with Face ID and a new larger Apple Watch inbound

The thorn in Apple's side, the bane of its existence, and all-round pain in the neck Ming-Chi Kuo is at it again, this time spilling the beans on Apple's fall product plans. In addition to predicting the just-launched MacBook Pro 'Coffee Lake' refresh, Kuo says that Apple is finally going to refresh its Mac mini, which hasn't seen a refresh (or a price reduction) since a half-hearted update in 2014. Joining it this fall will be a slew of other product updates.

Chief among these will be a redesign of Apple's iPad Pro models. Along with a new 11-inch size (presumably to replace the 10.5-inch model), a revamped 12.9-inch model will arrive. Both will lose the Home button and pick up Apple's Face ID technology (although we can only hope that Apple doesn't bring the dreaded Face ID-related notch to the iPad as well). A new cheaper MacBook model is also expected to replace the ageing MacBook Air, although details are thin on the ground about its specifications.

Apple Watch fans can expect a new Watch with larger displays. Kuo is pegging these at 1.57-inches and 1.78-inches, although it is unclear whether this will entail a full redesign of the device. An upgraded heart monitor is on the cards, although there aren't any details about any new sensors like the blood pressure monitor that Samsung is bringing to its rumored Galaxy Watch.

Also on the cards are silicon updates for Apple's iMac models, although again it isn't clear whether these will be Kaby Lake R or Coffee Lake-based upgrades. Given that Apple has introduced Coffee Lake chips on its new MacBook Pros, we can probably hold out hope for the later. Kuo does, however, expect a significant display upgrade for Apple's iMacs; to this extent think at least True Tone technology and/or HDR capabilities.

Kuo also expects Apple to finally ship its delayed AirPower wireless charging mat and a revised AirPod with support for Apple's "Hey Siri" functionality. So, in summary, lots to look forward to if you're an Apple fan. Not that Apple will be happy that its secret plans have once again been given an early airing.

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