iLounge leaks details on next-gen iPods, iPhone, iPad
Earlier today, iLounge reported on a few tidbits of leaked info regarding the next batch of iPods (due in September), as well as details on a possible "iPad mini" and iPhone5. iLounge has given out very accurate information in the past, so it's likely that at least some of their info is spot-on. Here's their leaked info, presented roughly in order of how likely it is to be true:
1. A new iPod nano and iPod touch will debut within the next couple of months. This one is a no-brainer; Apple's been holding annual September refreshes of its iPod line as far back as I can remember. The iPod shuffle is also due for an update, with iLounge claiming the device will come with a 1.7" touchscreen display. The current shuffle has no controls on its body at all, with all input coming from its included headphones' buttons, so even a touchscreen barely bigger than a postage stamp would be a welcome improvement. Notably, there's no info offered on the iPod classic -- many people believe the iPod classic will be retired this year.
2. Apple will redesign its bumper cases to an all-silicon design to reduce the cost of its free bumpers for iPhone 4 program. This is probably the impetus behind Apple's insistence that current iPhone 4 owners must apply for a free case before September 30.
3. Supposedly, a 7-inch "iPad mini" will come out either later this year or in early 2011. I'd say this one could go either way. I can certainly see a market for a smaller iPad, but squeezing the iPad's hardware into a smaller form factor may cause a significant hit to battery life -- the battery dominates most of the internal space of the current iPad.
4. Least likely of all (even iLounge admits they find it hard to believe), Apple is rumored to be moving the release date of the iPhone 5 up by six months to address the "Antennagate" concerns. I don't see this happening for a couple of reasons. First, it would be a tacit admission on Apple's part that the iPhone 4 has a design flaw. Second, Apple has refreshed the iPhone in mid-year three years in a row; bringing out a totally new design only six months after the iPhone 4 would have millions of iPhone 4 owners grabbing their torches and pitchforks. It seems more likely this January 2011 "iPhone 5" would be more like an "iPhone 4.5." Such a device would be substantially similar in design and features to the iPhone 4, but with a slightly modified antenna (probably as simple as an extension of the antenna insulation from its current thin line to a wider band), 64 GB capacity on the high end, and support for Verizon's CDMA network.
