iPhone 5S? iOS 7 release date? iTV? What to expect from Apple event
Fall has arrived and the crisp smell of Apple Inc. is in the air.
Apple is set to launch new products at a press conference at its Cupertino, Calif., headquarters September 10, and the rumors have put an “i” before nearly everything under the sun.
What is most likely? Here is a list of predictions ranging from "i'M sure of it" to "iDon't think so."
iOS 7: This software update was already released in Beta form this summer, so it is safe to say Apple will debut the software on whatever new devices it rolls out and announce a release date for everyone else. The redesign features a sleek new interface with a retro-inspired font, soft watercolor tones, and flat icons. These user-friendly updates also reflect a calmed down tone – early reviewers say that multitasking is easier and it's smoother to switch between apps.
iPhone 5S: A new generation of the iPhone is expected and there are a flurry of rumors as to what its new features could be. The most anticipated? A rumored fingerprint scanner, which would eliminate the need for a lock screen or password. There have also been whispers of a better camera and dual LED flash, which would be beneficial for shooting in low lighting. But new tech features aren’t the only rumored updates. On the cosmetic side, the new iPhone is predicted to have a champagne-colored option (though Apple will have to be careful with their words or risk the wrath of a certain region in France) and a graphite-colored option in addition to the traditional black and white colors. Internally, there have been talks of an updated A7 processor that would run 31 percent faster than the current chip.
iPhone 5C: Cheap, color, China – there are a lot of words that the ‘C’ of this iPhone prediction could stand for, but these three are the most likely. Cheap: This iPhone is thought to be made with a plastic backing in order to cut down on production costs and consumer costs. That is likely because of China, a market in which Apple has hoped to gain a stronger footing and a cheaper phone would likely be a big seller in a place where the cost of iPhones isn’t subsidized by phone plans. There is also a press conference planned for Sept. 11 in Beijing that some believe could announce a partnership between Apple and China Mobile Ltd. Color has been a hit with Apple in the past, and this iPhone is rumored to come in a rainbow array of tones, a rumor further fueled by the vibrant invitation Apple sent out to the media for the Sept. 10 press conference.
iTV: Though many Mac devotees would be head over heels for a fully-fledged television made by Apple, the only rumored change in the TV department is a software update to the Apple TV set-top box. But this may be something to keep an eye on in the future. Sony just revealed the PlayStation Vita TV, a set-top box that plays movies, TV shows, and games; Google Chromecast TV dongle was released this summer to much fanfare – so it is likely Apple isn’t far behind with a more extensive update.
iPhablet: With the popularity of large-screen “phablets” (which fit somewhere between a phone and tablet), the Wall Street Journal reported that Apple is working on devices with 4.8- to 6-inch screens, a leap from the 4-inch screen on the iPhone 5. Some believe this could be one of the updates worked into the new iPhone 5S, but the Wall Street Journal's sources say it will more likely be in a later generation.
iPad(s): The iPad and iPad Mini are due for an update and could be rolled out with the other new iOS 7-equipped devices on Tuesday. The Mini update would likely get a retina screen, and the iPad might be redone with a thinner, lighter design. However, speculation hints at an October press conference that could be devoted solely to iPad updates. And with the potential of two new iPhones this time around, Apple may hold off so both the iPhone and iPad get their adequate spotlight.
iWatch: The smart watch has taken over the tech world recently with Samsung, Sony, and now even carmaker Nissan getting in the game. Will Apple be throwing its wrist into the ring? This time around, it isn’t likely, but we can probably expect an iWatch from Apple in the future. Bloomberg reported that Apple hired a team of developers to research a “wristwatch computer,” but so far, the device has only been the subject of speculation.
