Each week, there are dozens of Apple rumors, reports, and patent filings that hint at what’s coming out of Cupertino next. Some are legit, but most are totally bogus. We parse the week’s rumors for you, ranking them in order from “utterly ridiculous” to “Duh, of course.” First up…
ASK AGAIN LATER: Next iPhone to feature 8-megapixel camera
Photo evidence from Chinese blog IT168 hints at more details about the hardware inside Apple’s rumored low-cost iPhone, purportedly called the iPhone 5C. It’s looking more and more like Apple does in fact have a cheaper iPhone model in the works, and considering the iPhone 4S and iPhone 5 both feature 8MP shooters, it would make sense for Apple to continue production of its current camera modules. On the other hand, if this is the same module that’s in the iPhone 5, couldn’t this just be a picture of a camera module from an iPhone 5?
Photo evidence from Chinese blog IT168 hints at more details about the hardware inside Apple’s rumored low-cost iPhone, purportedly called the iPhone 5C. It’s looking more and more like Apple does in fact have a cheaper iPhone model in the works, and considering the iPhone 4S and iPhone 5 both feature 8MP shooters, it would make sense for Apple to continue production of its current camera modules. On the other hand, if this is the same module that’s in the iPhone 5, couldn’t this just be a picture of a camera module from an iPhone 5?
ASK AGAIN LATER: Code in iOS 7 seemingly confirms fingerprint sensor in Home button
Apple’s heavily rumored push into the biometrics sphere gained a bit more credulity after Twitter user @Hamzasood discovered evidence of a Home button fingerprint sensor in iOS 7 beta code (via9to5Mac). A few weeks ago, it was rumored that this same fingerprint-sensing technology could be delaying the launch of the iPhone 5S. In the fall of 2012, Apple acquired fingerprint security company Authentic. While the iPhone 4S, iPhone 5, and other recent iOS device launches debuted far too soon to include any of the technologies Authentic’s team has cooked up, the next wave of iOS devices could take advantage of it.
Apple’s heavily rumored push into the biometrics sphere gained a bit more credulity after Twitter user @Hamzasood discovered evidence of a Home button fingerprint sensor in iOS 7 beta code (via9to5Mac). A few weeks ago, it was rumored that this same fingerprint-sensing technology could be delaying the launch of the iPhone 5S. In the fall of 2012, Apple acquired fingerprint security company Authentic. While the iPhone 4S, iPhone 5, and other recent iOS device launches debuted far too soon to include any of the technologies Authentic’s team has cooked up, the next wave of iOS devices could take advantage of it.
SIGNS POINT TO YES: Apple sourcing Samsung displays for a Retina iPad mini
The Wall Street Journal is reporting that Apple is ordering Retina quality iPad mini displays from Samsung, as well as Sharp and LG displays. These are the usual suspects when it comes to displays for Apple’s mobile devices, so no surprises there. For the launch of the original iPad mini, maintaining supply chain efficiency and hitting price goals likely were the factors keeping Apple from introducing a Retina display. But with iPad mini production likely more streamlined, and other HD 7-inch tablets like the new Nexus 7 on the market now, I’d be very surprised if we didn’t see a Retina display iPad mini arrive later this year.
The Wall Street Journal is reporting that Apple is ordering Retina quality iPad mini displays from Samsung, as well as Sharp and LG displays. These are the usual suspects when it comes to displays for Apple’s mobile devices, so no surprises there. For the launch of the original iPad mini, maintaining supply chain efficiency and hitting price goals likely were the factors keeping Apple from introducing a Retina display. But with iPad mini production likely more streamlined, and other HD 7-inch tablets like the new Nexus 7 on the market now, I’d be very surprised if we didn’t see a Retina display iPad mini arrive later this year.
SIGNS POINT TO YES: Code in iOS 7 indicates Samsung processor for next iPhone, non-Retina A6-powered iPad mini
Code hidden inside iOS 7 references a Samsung processor model, which could be an A7 processor powering the next iPhone, 9to5Mac reports. This sounds pretty plausible for two reasons. Apple has worked with Samsung to design and build its custom processors for iOS devices in the past, so Samsung providing the next iPhone’s processor isn’t a stretch (even if the two companies do duke it outin the courtroom over other matters). Second, product references in beta code, while not 100 percent accurate, are often a pretty good indicator of things yet to come. So to that end, a separate reference in iOS 7 code to several iPad mini models, including one without a Retina display, also seems like it
Code hidden inside iOS 7 references a Samsung processor model, which could be an A7 processor powering the next iPhone, 9to5Mac reports. This sounds pretty plausible for two reasons. Apple has worked with Samsung to design and build its custom processors for iOS devices in the past, so Samsung providing the next iPhone’s processor isn’t a stretch (even if the two companies do duke it outin the courtroom over other matters). Second, product references in beta code, while not 100 percent accurate, are often a pretty good indicator of things yet to come. So to that end, a separate reference in iOS 7 code to several iPad mini models, including one without a Retina display, also seems like it
No comments:
Post a Comment