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MacBook Pro 2016 release date, specs rumors update: Huge design changes on the way

The MacBook Pro 2016 is said to be released next month as the company shifts its focus to the Mac line following the launch of the iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus.

Users expect big and exciting changes in the laptop as the MacBook Pro has not been updated since 2012. Since then, new things and tech have come and gone.

The new Macbook Pro is pictured during the Apple Worldwide Developers Conference 2012 in San Francisco, California. | Reuters/Stephen Lam

If the rumors are to be believed, the MacBook Pro 2016 will even go as far as to be the first to trade the physical function keys at the topmost part of the keyboard with a digital strip that will display the controls instead.

The digital strip, which Bloomberg claims is called Dynamic Function Row, will not only display the function keys but also display other controls for various applications while volume controls will be displayed all the time.

Not only will this give the MacBook Pro 2016 a sleek new look. It will also make it easier for Apple to upgrade the laptop through software updates, saving users from stressful and expensive physical upgrades.

Another change coming to the MacBook Pro 2016 is that it will follow the iPhone 7 and ditch the 3.5mm headphone jack as well.

In a survey by Apple to users, one of the questions pertained to the headphone jack, and its importance to users. The question was shared by one of the participants of the survey:

"Do you ever use the headphone port on your MacBook Pro with Retina display?"

This suggested that Apple is also looking into the possibility of removing the headphone jack on the MacBook Pro 2016. This also means that Apple will be able to give the device a thinner build.

As reported by Bloomberg, Apple will indeed give the device a much thinner build in addition to "shallower" curves and a slightly smaller size all in all.

If the reports are to be believed, the MacBook Pro 2016 will arrive next month.