MacBook Pro 2016 release date, specs rumors: 2017 launch instead?

The MacBook Pro 2016 was not part of Apple's keynote event last Sept. 7. It turns out that this might not be the year a new version of the laptop will be unveiled.

The tech giant of Cupertino focused on the iPhone 7 and the Apple Watch along with a Super Mario game. Prior to the event, there have been rumors that the MacBook Pro 2016 will be part of the affair.

However, it appears that Apple does not mind the laptop not getting an upgrade as it is reported that the new MacBook Pro won't arrive this year.

Bloomberg, however, says that Apple has prepared tons of upgrades for the laptop. One is the Touch ID fingerprint scanning technology, which was first seen in action on the iPhone.

According to "people familiar with the matter," this scanner was reportedly tested by Apple earlier this year with the purported Organic Light-Emitting Diodes (OLED) bar that will replace the function keys on the MacBook Pro 2016.

Th e use of OLED should make for a slimmer, lighter and sharper screen. Explaining more about the new feature, Bloomberg described "a strip-like screen will present functions on an as-needed basis that fit the current task or application."

This suggests that apart from the function keys, the OLED bar can also display controls depending on the software being used such as iTunes or word document.

Replacing the physical keys with the touchscreen one on the MacBook Pro 2016 is also believed to make adding new buttons much easier as opposed to hardware upgrades, which are much slower and expensive.

More on the design, the new MacBook Pro is expected to be slightly thinner and smaller than the previous models. It is also expected to don "shallower curves."

On the inside, Apple is reportedly going for AMD Polaris cards, while Intel is expected to supply the processor for the new laptop.

It has been four years since the MacBook Pro got a real update. It certainly has outdated makings, and CNET wonders what Apple is waiting for as it has not upgraded the notebook yet.

Along with the MacBook Pro 2016, no iPads were also shown at the Sept. 7 event. Until last year, Apple has opted to show off tablets during the month of October.

It remains a mystery if this will be the case this year, and if there's a chance the MacBook Pro will be there. Meanwhile, Apple is also expected to update the MacBook Air and the iMac.