Rumors

Video surfaces of purported next generation iPhone back cover

Cody Lee ∙ June 7, 2012

Last week, metal-laden back covers, reportedly belonging to the next-generation iPhone, started popping up online. The components were intriguing, because with their elongated bodies and redesigned charging ports, they lined up perfectly with previous speculation.

Well today, we've come across a video showing off the part. The folks at CydiaBlog point to a new YouTube video from ETradeSupply, a third-party parts dealer, who appears to have gotten its hands on one of these "iPhone 5" back covers. Full clip after the break...

Analyst: iPhone 5 will have thinner, better cameras

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated April 28, 2017

With the LinkedIn privacy scare and Google's 3D maps taking over news today, we've seen little updates concerning Apple's upcoming iPhone. Enter KGI Securities analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, who argues in today's note to clients that the next iPhone will use back and front cameras re-engineered with thinness in mind.

And if you're new to iPhoneography, you're probably thinking that a higher-resolution CMOS sensor is also in the cards. Not so fast...

Rumor: next iPhone may feature an HD FaceTime camera

Cody Lee ∙ June 6, 2012

AppleInsider points to a new research note today from KGI's Mingchi Kuo, an analyst it says is "known for having sources deep within Apple's supply chain." The note claims that Apple's next smartphone could feature a new HD-capable front-facing camera.

The high resolution shooter, which would be a significant upgrade from the current VGA sensor used in the iPhone 4S, would allow users to make higher-quality FaceTime calls, and, according to Kuo, will be repositioned to the center of the handset...

Apple starts raising WWDC banners at Moscone

Cody Lee ∙ June 5, 2012

You've heard all of the rumors and speculation, but just in case you needed more proof that Apple's highly anticipated WWDC event was on the horizon, here you go. As noted by 9to5Mac, Apple has started hanging WWDC banners at the Moscone Center.

Apple used its World Wide Developers Conference to unveil iOS 5 last year, but it has also been known to use the opportunity to show off new hardware. So what can we expect from this year's event? Keep reading...

Sprint to launch prepaid iPhones on Virgin Mobile by July 1

Christian Zibreg ∙ June 5, 2012

MarketWatch reports (via MacRumors) that Sprint will launch own prepaid iPhone offering through its Virgin Mobile arm.

The move follows last week's unconfirmed news that Boost Mobile, another Sprint property, will be getting prepaid iPhones on June 22.

As you know, Cricket became the first carrier in the United States to announce plans to begin offering the iPhone on a prepaid basis in early September...

Apple to preview in-house Maps at WWDC, ousting Google Maps later this year

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated December 20, 2017

The usually well-informed Wall Street Journal is throwing its weight behind rumors that Apple with iOS 6 will ditch a Google Maps backend and instead pursue own in-house mapping solution. Sources tell the paper that although Apple could, and probably will, show off the enhanced Maps app at WWDC next Monday, the feature won't launch until later this year.

This should give developers a much-needed head start to incorporate Apple's mapping technology into their apps and take advantage of the reportedly unique features. The story offers other interesting tidbits, including the new calendar-integrated mapping system...

Analyst: iPad mini and iPhone 5 launching in September, no Liquidmetal chassis

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated January 25, 2016

Piper Jaffray's Gene Munster's been insisting repeatedly on his checks with suppliers suggesting Apple will launch the next iPhone in October of this year, even in the face of Qualcomm chip supply issues. We've also heard independent claims of the handset not being finalized yet, but still being set for an October release.

And now, another analyst has chimed in, citing checks with Apple's supply chain in Taiwan that point to a September release rather than October...

iOS 6 to get Do Not Disturb for notifications, Safari tab syncing, VIP mail recipients

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated April 4, 2018

iOS 6, the next major release of Apple's mobile operating system slated for unveiling at the WWDC keynote next Monday, will likely bring a few new features already present in the latest build of OS X Mountain Lion.

My personal favorite: The new Do Not Disturb mode in Notification Center that should at least help alleviate that iMessage alert conundrum...

Mockup depicts enhanced Maps on four-inch iPhone 5

Christian Zibreg ∙ June 4, 2012

As you know, iOS 6 will bring an all-new Maps app said to feature Apple's own tiles and brand new in-house solution for breathtaking 3D view.

Though Google is expected to add the third dimension to its own Maps service as early as Wednesday, we've already seen screenshot mockups depicting 3D terrain in iOS 6 Maps.

As for the enhanced two-dimensional view, here's what the new Maps app could look like on that next iPhone that by all accounts seems to feature a taller four-inch display...

iOS 6 to bring Siri to iPad 3, here’s a mockup

Christian Zibreg ∙ June 4, 2012

Much as it has been speculated, Apple is apparently working to enable Siri on iPad by way of iOS 6, according to the inevitable people familiar with the matter. We're talking about full-blown voice assistant, not just the Dictation feature, and it will reportedly work just as you'd expect it to. Here's a mockup based on the description provided by the source...

AirPlay and apps will set iTV apart, says Brightcove CEO

Christian Zibreg ∙ June 4, 2012

Brightcove founder, chairman and CEO Jeremy Allaire shares some interesting observations regarding Apple's rumored full-blown television set that the industry is anxiously anticipating.

The biggest feature and key differentiating factor won't be the display nor industrial design for that matter. Instead, the iTV should be treated as yet another screen to run the enhanced iOS computing platform. Content?

Don't count on Apple beating cable companies to the programming punch. Instead, Allaire observes, the more than 500,000 apps and AirPlay technology are Apple's two key advantages that will help set iTV apart...