INSUBCONTINENT EXCLUSIVE:
Apple is preparing to launch a new family of devices under the "Star" codename, according to a report from 9to5Mac
The secret project apparently involves a line of lightweight Macs running ARM processors, which might combine the best bits of Apple's
laptops and mobile devices in one piece of hardware.Treat this as speculative for now, even though rumors stretching back to last year have
claimed Apple wants to get macOS and iOS merged together in some way
That's an idea that Apple boss Tim Cook shot down in an interview last month.Apparently Star prototypes have already been made and feature a
touchscreen, a SIM card slot, GPS and a compass
They run the same basic firmware as current Mac devices, according to 9to5Mac's sources, and that points to them being some kind of
ultra-portable MacBook line of devices.Reach for the StarsAt the same time, the new pieces of kit are also said to run a derivative of iOS,
as different families of devices.That's just about all the information we have, and even if this prototypes are real, there is of course no
guarantee Apple is going to bring them to the masses
The company is no doubt experimenting with a variety of different ideas for upcoming hardware launches, with plenty of refreshes expected
later this year.What we do know is Apple has been pushing the iPad Pro as a laptop replacement for a while now, and seems to want to
redefine what a computer is as we head towards the third decade of the 21st century
If the Star line-up does make it to market, expect to see launches by 2020.
