In this show, iOS & MacOS Big Sur release dates, Pro Apps hardware requirements and is Apple releasing new multitouch displays in 2020?

Full Release dates for iOS14, iPadOS14, MacOS Big Sur and More

iOS14 and iPadOS14 are set to widely launch to the public on September 17th 2020 according to Twitter Leaker @Komiya_kj, who also notes that MacOS 11 Big Sur will release on October 1st.

Both dates line up well with the rumoured September 10th Apple Special event online, Being one week later as is the case most years, and increases the chances of the first Apple Silicon Macs being announced at the event too, with shipping 1-2 weeks later. I expect the demand for the first Apple Silicon models to be high.

Pro Apps for Minimum Specs leaked!

Apple’s Pro Apps for iPhone and iPads are expected to require 4gb of Ram but ideally 6gb, which means an A12X or higher or A14 (nonX) chipsets will likely be the minimum spec required by Apple for these apps. That means the iPads Pro from 2018 and later, iPhone 12, 12 Pro and most likely the expected iPad Air and iPad Mini redesigns coming in March 2021, but excluding the iPhone A11 generation (A13) phones and base iPad (expected A12).

These Apps may not be released until WWDC 2021, but there is always a possibility that Apple may demo them at one of their events in 2020, most likely the October iPhone event.

Apple may be planning a more affordable external display as LG Ultrafine in 5k & 4k models go out of stock on Apple Store. The 4k model at 23.7” cost $699 on Apple’s store, but their own Pro Display XDR goes for 4999, and that’s only if you’re happy with leaning it agains the wall, it’s another 1k if you want the fancy stand, or 200 for a vesa adapter.

There is of course a chance that Apple would include multitouch support in these displays as a great way to differentiate against other third party displays. These would make amazing desktop docking stations for Apple’s first Apple Silicon Macs, unlocking the touch capability that is expected to be baked into MacOS Big Sur, as well as a possible second screen experience with iPad Pro.