2014 was a big year for Apple with its release of the wildly successful iPhone 6 and iPhone 6S. With the bang that the firm made last year, rumors and insider leaks indicate that 2015 will be even bigger.
From bigger iPads, wearable tech, two-release iPhones and a new and improved MacBook Air, the newest news to hit the rumor mill is that Apple is now setting its sights on an electric car due out in 2020.
Bloomberg reports that someone with knowledge on the project indicates that a team is working to begin production on an electric vehicle. Apple is believed to be aggressively expanding to automobiles and has its eyes on Tesla Motors Inc. As well as General Motors Co.
"That's the inflection point -- the proving ground -- that brings on the electric age," quoted the publication of "The Powerhouse" author Steve LeVine. "Now you have Apple coming in and this is critical mass. Was GM really going to be able to match Tesla? Apple can."
In the last few days many sources have reported a mysterious Apple minivan making its way around California and Florida with reports that it could be working on its mapping system, iPhone integration or working on auto development.
The site notes that a vehicle could run in the $40,000 mark, similar to the targets of GM and Tesla.
Apple Products in 2015
Aside from the electric vehicle, here's a quick round up of Apple devices we could see hitting the shelves before the year is up.
- Apple Watch - Apple has confirmed that the wearable technology will be out "early 2015" which we've reported earlier Tim Cook has announced is on-track. The basic watch -- with nightly charging requirements --will begin at abut $350.
- iPad Pro/ iPad Air Plus - a 12-inch iPad is expected to be released this year. Molding and insider leaks indicate the device will have dual speakers, 4k-display, 2GB of RAM, multiple storage capacity (16GB, 64GB and 128GB), A8X or A9 processor and Touch ID, among other features. There is also a rumored iPad Air 3 for 2015.
- MacBook Air Retina - Apple is reportedly working on a slimmer 12-inch MacBook Air with Retina display and Touch ID capacities to encourage use of Apple Pay. It's expected that the device will be released in June during the WWDC Conference. The same Touch ID tech is expected to hit all PC devices including the Pros and iMac.
- iPhone 6S or iPhone 7 - In keeping with Apple's annual smartphone release, the expected device -- dubbed as either the iPhone 6S or iPhone 7 -- is rumored to hit the shelves in 2015. Apple typically release phones in Sept. but various source report a two-date release, first semester release to join the Apple Watch launch and different device launch in September.
