As the year 2021 draws to a close, it's time to look ahead to the future, to the horizon once more. Despite a global pandemic and several supply chain issues, Apple experienced a record-breaking year, with successful releases of new iPhones and iPads, as well as a sustained transition on the Mac that is reshaping the product line for the next generation. 

However, in the world of technology, you are only as good as your next move. No firm, no matter how successful, can afford to rest on its laurels, and Apple is no exception. 

So, as we get ready to close the books on 2021, it's worth thinking about that puck that Apple is skating towards. 

The most powerful Macs 
Apple has dispelled any questions about its ability to manufacture professional-level laptops using its own hardware, thanks to the remarkable performance of the M1 Pro and M1 Max chips in its new MacBook Pros. Which is good, given the company has transitioned the great majority of its product lines to its own CPUs, following the recent termination of the Intel-based 21.5-inch iMac. And, as expected, the most potent is saved for last. 

The company's redesign of the 24-inch iMac earlier this year provided us a hint of what we may expect when the current 27-inch iMac is reportedly refreshed next year, including a focus on Thunderbolt/USB 4 connectors, eye-popping colors, and a thinner form. 

Getting meta
Apple has talked about augmented reality a lot over the previous few years, but it has only focused on software advancements and hasn't made a huge effort on the hardware side. Meanwhile, organizations such as Microsoft and Meta (formerly Facebook) are increasingly incorporating these technologies into their strategies and, in the case of the latter, their very identities. 

Apple headset rumors have been circulating for a while, and they've started to coalesce around next year as the year when they might eventually see the light of day. The most persistent concerns a "mixed reality" device that combines AR and VR capabilities. 

Going home “HomeOS”
Apple has had a difficult couple of years in the home market. It's phased out the full-size HomePod in favor of the smaller HomePod mini, and while it's boosted up support for the impending Matter program, which promises to connect smart home gadgets from different manufacturers, it won't be fully operational until next year. 

The speculated living room device, HomeOS, would combine aspects of the HomePod, Apple TV, and a FaceTime video conferencing device. During the pandemic, internet chatting with friends, family, and coworkers has grown even more common, and clustering around an iPad or a MacBook has made the experience crowded and often unpleasant. A device that works with your Apple TV to create a more friendly group talking experience might be a huge hit, solidifying Apple's position in the home.