As the calendar shifts to March, we’re naturally looking for signs that Apple is gearing up to release a new spring product list, as it has been for the past few years. And we may have gotten a big one from an unexpected place.
This week Apple released a new beta firmware 16.4 for Studio Display with build number 20E5223e. This is the second beta in a few weeks and aligns with the development of macOS Ventura 13.3, which is also in its second beta. Full releases are expected later this month or early April.
While we don’t know what’s in the firmware since Apple didn’t provide release notes, the update is notable for several reasons. Firstly, this is the first Studio Display firmware update since version 15.5, released in October. Secondly, this coincides with the macOS 13.3 beta testing, which was previously there were rumors be a version of Ventura running on an Apple Silicon Mac Pro in testing.
When the new Mac Pro arrives, Apple may have to update the Studio Display’s firmware to support the new machine, much like iOS 16.3 brought support for the new HomePod last month.
These are two very important signs that the new Mac Pro could be coming very soon. While we still have plenty of questions about the new car, we may not have to wait too long to find out.