MacBook Air 2016 release date, news: 15-inch MacBook Air will have Apple Pencil-enabled trackpad?

While there has been talk over the past year of Apple allegedly phasing out its MacBook Air line in lieu of the new MacBook and the more expensive MacBook Pro, recent rumors indicate that the superslim notebook could be given a long-awaited revamp soon.

The MacBook Air was introduced back in 2008 and, as MacWorld notes, has barely changed since. While retina technology has made its way to Apple's other laptops, it has not been bestowed on the MacBook Air.

The observation that Apple seems hesitant to update its MacBook Air line has paved the way for rumors that the tech giant will soon replace the entire lineup with its new and more powerful MacBooks. According to industry watchers, having just two laptop lines — the MacBook and the MacBook Pro — would be a lot simpler. But there are now also suggestions that the company could soon come out with a bigger and better MacBook Air.

According to Tech Radar, the radical changes coming for the MacBook Air may include the retirement of the 11-inch variant in lieu of a new 15-inch option.

In addition, MacWorld suggests that the MacBook Air 2016 will be even thinner and lighter, with internal upgrades such as new cooling modules and new batteries.

The USB Type-C with integrated Thunderbolt 3 is expected to make its way to the MacBook Air, along with the latest generation of Intel processors. The MacBook Air could also get a RAM upgrade and better graphics.

But the most interesting specs rumor for the MacBook Air 2016 is the possible addition of a trackpad on which a more sophisticated version of the Apple Pencil can be used.

MacWorld points to a patent filed in 2014 as possible proof of this exciting new feature. "Inertial sensor input may be gathered when operating the stylus in one or more inertial sensor input modes such as an air mouse mode, a rotational controller mode, a joystick mode, and/or other inertial sensor input modes," an excerpt from the patent reads.

According to the outlet, this could mean that a revamped Apple Pencil could soon be used as a general input device, much like an "air mouse" or a joystick.

According to Tech Radar, given that the MacBook Air will not be phased out, the MacBook Air 2016 should be unveiled sometime in the fall.

There have been no official updates from Apple regarding the rumored MacBook Air 2016.