I’m really looking forward to Apple’s announcements this week: an updated MacBook Pro. While the rumored CPU is believed to be an M5 series, not an M6, that’s not what I find most interesting. It’s all about the screen.

First, I would prefer to have a Dynamic Island instead of a notch. I prefer pill-shaped holes. Small detail, I know.

Second, I prefer the OLED screen because I love photography with deeper blacks.

Third, I want touchscreen support because I think it makes sense. Sorry, Steve, but we’re in 2026. When Apple introduced mouse support in iPadOS, it was exciting to see the iPad grow into a new territory of user interaction. It’s macOS’s turn, now.

Fourth, the 14-inch MacBook Pro screen resolution will fit more content into a more compact design than my current 15-inch MacBook Air, thanks to a higher-resolution display (3024 ✗ × 1964 pixels vs 2880 ✗ × 1864 pixels).

I ordered HomeView and should receive it by the end of November. It feels like a long wait for a device like this, but I’ll be travelling for much of that time. Lukewarm reception didn’t change my mind. I’ve always wanted something like this, a device that isn’t managed like an iPad or iPhone. If my experience with it is good, I’ll probably get one for my home office, too. And no, I don’t have the busy daily life the HomeView ad portrays.

I’ve been keeping an eye on the HomeView preorder delivery dates daily. It’s still predicted to arrive by November 13th, but I won’t be able to pick it up until Monday the 16th. Still waiting before placing my order.

So we got the HomeView without an Apple Event. If Gurman is right, the same will be true of the upcoming touchscreen MacBook Pro on October 28. Although the two products fall into different device categories, making it hard to tell a coherent story if they’re announced together, I’m surprised Apple didn’t, and won’t, opt for a prerecorded announcement. Is this the new Apple under John Ternus?

Reactions to HomeView unveiling seem to be rather lukewarm… is it because there is no App Store? Is the requirements for modern iPhone in the room to take advantage of Apple Intelligence the reason? Widgets from nearby iPhone are available on HomeViw which is rather a clever way to have a feature-rich product on day one. The price seems reasonable for what you get, yet the mounted version is the same price which surprises a lot of people. None of that is earth shattering and yet… people are looking for a new OS name… and it’s not homeOS, so many are perplexed…

So many thoughts right now…

• It was a low-key unveiling, but it shouldn’t come as a surprise; the HomeView is an accessory in the grand scheme of things.
• About performance: A18 is the same processor as in the MacBook Neo. Fast content switching is a must in a multi-user setup. Based on the older Apple TV 4K, which has an older processor, this is promising. The switching sequence shown in Apple’s promotional material seems to corroborate this.
• Dependencies on the presence of a modern iPhone signed into Apple Intelligence for some features are surprising.
• The design is cute yet classy, but the arm behind the screen is shorter than I thought it would be. The design doesn’t remind me of the G4 iMac. At 7 inches, the screen is a tad bigger than rumors predicted. This leaves room (pun intended here) for a larger screen version with an articulated arm.
• I’m ok with the lack of an App Store dedicated to the HomeView. I expect Apple to add some app functionality in the future.
• The $429 price tag for the wall-mounted version, identical to the tabletop version, is an Apple tactic to discourage users from buying a cheaper version and adding external wireless speakers.
• The power adaptor design presents a not-too-deep block with the USB plug on top. This design lets you place furniture close to the wall.
• I’ll order mine so that I get it when I come back from Thailand in mid-November.
• The new Apple TV 4K is the same price. I would have preferred a cheaper 64GB version; I don’t need 128GB, and I don’t play games on the Apple TV. Built-in microphones are a godsend; no remote needed for voice commands. Yeah.
• One more thing: what’s missing from today’s announcements? The return of a secure, Apple-branded home networking device à la AirPort.