Mid-February 2026, and the familiar refrain echoes: “Where does the time go? All things fade. Soon we die.” It’s a small rebellion, scribbled on every check, a private game played with the Department of Licensing and Registration. A hopeful thought – perhaps they appreciate the existential nudge.
But time, relentlessly, marches on. Apple has fired the starting pistol for the year, announcing an “experience” for March 4th. Not an event, mind you. An *event* is… pedestrian. Apple prefers “experience” – elevated, refined, and potentially unsettling, judging by the vibrant hues of the accompanying logo.
Whispers of a colorful MacBook lineup are swirling, shades of yellow, light green, blue, and pink dancing in the rumors. Though “light” remains a frustratingly ambiguous term. Will these be true colors, or merely Apple’s interpretation of the *idea* of color?
For those seeking affordability, a new iPhone 17e is on the horizon, boasting an A19 chip and the convenience of MagSafe charging – a feature someone inexplicably overlooked on the 16e. Expect incremental updates to the base model iPad and iPad Air, speed bumps rather than revolutions.
However, the promised overhaul of Siri remains elusive. It’s perpetually “on schedule,” “showing good progress,” and now, apparently, contemplating a European backpacking trip before deciding on its future. A gap year for artificial intelligence. The delays are spreading, features now trickling out across iOS 26.5 and even into iOS 27.
Apple isn’t alone in its struggle with ambitious AI features. Even OpenAI’s first hardware device won’t see the light of day until late 2027. A device so mysterious, even its creators – Jony Ive and Sam Altman – seem unsure of its purpose.
Beyond software, Apple may be poised to enter the smart home arena with a Face ID-enabled doorbell camera and lock. A long-awaited move, perfectly timed as Amazon stumbles, its ambitions for seamless law enforcement integration with Ring cameras collapsing under scrutiny.
The backlash is understandable. Spending millions on a Super Bowl ad touting facial recognition technology without consent feels… ill-advised. There’s a crucial difference between Face ID – a secure, hardware-tied authentication system – and indiscriminately collecting faces for a broader surveillance network.
But perhaps the biggest surprise of 2026 will be what *doesn’t* happen. Could we be witnessing the end of the annual iPhone production panic? Reports suggest a strong build momentum, a scenario so unusual it feels almost…wrong. Where’s the doom and gloom? Someone alert Nikkei.
Regardless, the coming months promise a flurry of new products and, thankfully, plenty to discuss. The relentless march of technology continues, even if time itself feels increasingly fleeting.
