Every week the numerous blogs covering the machinations of the Apple empire float tons of unconfirmed rumors, futuristic speculation, and questionably-sourced reports on what the company might be unveiling in the near or distant future. Let's take a look back at what these Mac blogs were excited about this week, from November 27 - December 3. Check out last week's Apple rumors here, and for all the latest, follow me on Twitter here.
iPad 3 And iPhone 5, Both With 4G, Will Be Released In 2012!(01 of05)
iPad 3 and iPhone 5 comin'! The latest shout on the Apple rumor street corner is that both a new iPad and a new iPhone, both with the capability to use the faster 4G LTE network the summer the iPhone 4S notably lacks, could be released in 2012, with the 4G iPad 3 coming in March and the 4G iPhone 5 following later in the year. That report (originally in Japanese from Macotakara and summarized nicely in English by AppleInsider here) claimed that Apple had already begun discussing its upcoming 4G devices with phone carriers including Japan's NTT DoCoMo; a spokesperson from NTT DoCoMo has already denied that the report is true, but let the record show that 4G iPad 3 and iPhone 5 4G rumors have now appeared two weeks in a row, both sources pegging the devices for a 2012 release. Cynics will note that the apocalypse is also expected in 2012.There is reason to be cynical about these Apple rumors, of course, because just this past autumn the smart money had two iPhones -- a cheaper, less capable iPhone 4S and the top-of-the-line, totally redesigned iPhone 5 -- being released. Unless my memory fails, that, uh, did not happen. (credit:MacRumors)
There Will Be Two New iPads Released In 2012!(02 of05)
Here we go again...again! Last week, Mark Gurman of 9to5Mac found references to TWO new iPads in development, and though there was no claim that Apple actually planned to release two iPads, the tech world collectively rolled its eyes. Now, however, an analyst from Barclays Capital, a gentleman named Ben Reitzes, has predicted that Apple just might release -- wait for it -- an iPad 2S and an iPad 3. First reported by Apple Insider, the Barclays analyst expects an iPad 2S with a faster processor and Siri integration, along with an iPad 3 with a faster processor, Siri integration AND the high-definition Retina Display (2048 x 1536, as opposed to the 1024 x 768 display the iPad 2 currently has) that has supposedly been so difficult for Apple's suppliers to produce in bulk.So, yeah, that's an iPad 2S and an iPad 3, both due in March 2012. Get excited, or extremely skeptical, depending on your leanings.The idea of a television made by Apple also probably excites you or makes you skeptical, depending on your leanings. And, well, the latest bit of speculation about the supposed price of the iTV will most likely only split you further... (credit:Getty)
Apple Television Coming In Mid-2012, Will Cost Twice As Much As Other HDTVs!(03 of05)
Good news and bad news, folks:The good news, according to Apple analyst Gene Munster speaking at Business Insider's Ignition conference, is that an Apple TV is coming in a bunch of different sizes and it's got some awesome new features.The bad news, also according to Munster, is that each set will cost twice as much of HDTVs of the same size. For example, if the average price of an x-inch TV is $800, an x-inch Apple television set would cost $1600.So, what are these awesome new features that would justify such a price difference? You would be able to use any Apple device as a television remote, for one thing, and apps and content you download from iTunes would auto-magically appear on your set, for another; also, the Apple television would have Siri. Business Insider's Henry Blodget:
Apple's TV, Gene says, will be the first TV that thinks the way you do. Instead of trying to remember what channel is ESPN is on [sic], for example, you'll just fire up (or say) "ESPN."Can't wait to change the channel on my girlfriend when she's making me watch her romantic comedies by just saying the word "ESPN." Also can't wait to one day have a girlfriend.More, less spectacular iTV news this week: Sharp is supposedly making panels for the Apple television set, with production starting in January. This is according to Peter Misek, Apple analys from Jefferies, as reported by the Tokyo Times.Hey, did you know that Apple also makes laptop computers? They do! And a brand new model might be coming next year! So throw your current computer off the nearest skyscraper, because... (credit:Getty)
New 15-Inch MacBook Air Coming In 2012!(04 of05)
Taiwanese Apple rumor factory DigiTimes is reporting that, "according to sources from the upstream supply chain," updates to the MacBook Air are coming, along with a brand new 15-inch MacBook Air, in 2012. Per DigiTimes, the testing has begun:
The sources noted that related upstream players have already started pilot production of the MacBook Air models and will add a 15-inch model into the product line to expand its reach in the ultra-thin notebook market.If true, look for discounts on current MacBook Airs leading up to the new Air's release (whenever that may be).Finally, it wouldn't be a week in Apple rumors without a wacky Apple patent from Patently Apple. In this week's patent, Apple is going to change the way that you take a picture of your face and cartoonify it into an avatar that represents your current emotional state... (credit:Flickr: TheodoreWLee)
Apple Working On Cartoon Versions Of Your Face For Some Reason!(05 of05)
According to the Steve Jobs biography, Jobs revolutionized six industries: personal computers, animated movies, cell phones, music, tablets, and digital publishing. Could the next great industry to be transformed by the late Jobs' company be...emoticons?Patently Apple details a new Apple patent makes it seem as though Apple is working on a new, more personal system of emoticons and avatars. Here's how it works: You take a picture of your face that shows a particular emotion (happy, sad, excited, etc). Apple's magic technology makes a cartoon of your face; you can then add a bunch of features to that cartoon-face, like a hat, or wider eyes, or a different nose, or whatever (Think of the ways you change your Mii's face on the Nintendo Wii). You then associate that face with a particular emoticon, so that whenever you enter that emoticon (for example :) for happy or :( for sad), instead of a more general emoticon, your face shows up, in all of its emotive glory. The revolution will be emotified. Check out Patently Apple's report for more. That's all for this week in Apple Rumors; make sure you check back next week, when I reveal how my imaginary girlfriend reacted to my changing the channel to ESPN on our imaginary Apple television in our imaginary townhouse. And if you can't wait for these weekly Apple rumor wrap-ups, follow me on Twitter for up-to-the-minute updates for all things Apple + funny things my imaginary girlfriend says. (credit:Patently Apple)
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