Rumor Roundup: Having it both ways

The big "news" this week was, of course, how Apple's record-breaking revenues and profits are proof positive that the company teeters at a precipice, poised to fall to its doom with the slightest puff of breeze. Meanwhile, the rumor machine chundered churned out its usual mix of half-truths, nonsense, and guffaw-worthy speculation.

TSMC's big expectations for its 20nm chips suggest negotiations with Apple (AppleInsider)

This is pretty bland as rumors go, which means there's probably a kernel of truth in it. TSMC has been rumored to be in the running to build Apple's chips for quite some time, replacing Apple's rival Samsung as lead supplier of A-series chips for iOS devices. Considering Apple's fraught relationship with Samsung, it's really a matter of when, not if, Apple will find someone else to fulfil its chip orders.

Two new 4-inch iPhones set to debut this year, iPhone with larger display to launch in 2014 or later (BGR)

This report, "sourced" from Digitimes, claims a bigger iPhone won't launch this year after all. Given Digitimes' record on Apple rumors, it's kind of hard to call this one; all I'm saying is if Digitimes said grass was green, I'd be sure to go outside with a camera and make certain before passing that info along.

Digitimes refutes its own larger iPhone rumor, now agrees with WSJ/Bloomberg (9to5 Mac)

Reporting on the same story, 9to5 Mac notes that Digitimes' new rumor contradicts its own, earlier rumor about the iPhone Grande. I'll give kudos to 9to5 Mac for pointing out the contradiction, but sadly some sites won't see it that way; when it comes time for the end-of-rumor-cycle accuracy checks, Digitimes only gets credit for the one or two things its gets right while the mountains of stuff it gets wrong is swept under the rug.

So now, whether an iPhone Grande launches this year or not, someone will credit Digitimes for being right about it. Brilliant move there, Digitimes. Looks like you get to have it both ways on this one.

Apple analyst Gene Munster says Apple HDTV with new remote coming in 2013, again (AppleInsider)

I'm not exaggerating in the slightest when I say some of my fellow Apple bloggers are starting to become genuinely concerned for Gene Munster's wellbeing. You do have to kind of feel sorry for the guy. He's stuck his neck out there so many times when it comes to the Apple HDTV, and mean old Apple just won't release one. If the Apple HDTV ever does come out, I imagine Munster standing at the announcement event, reeling on his feet, perhaps weeping -- for then he'll have no worlds left to conquer.

Apple job listing tips new API, framework for next version of iOS (AppleInsider)

EXCLUSIVE: Next version of iOS to have new APIs and frameworks! Just like every major version of iOS before it! More on this incredible, late-breaking story as it becomes available.

iPad mini won't help Apple's sliding tablet share, according to new report (BGR)

Oh, that sounds bad. Who wrote this "report?" Wait, what? Digitimes? Now those guys, of all people, are piling on the "Apple = DOOMED" bandwagon too? That settles it: Apple will be a trillion-dollar company by the end of the year.

Apple's cheaper iPhone could use 'a less powerful lower-end Snapdragon' processor (BGR)

Some analyst claims Apple will source cheap, low-end Snapdragon processors for its cheap, low-end iPhone as a means of cost-cutting. Sure, why not? It makes perfect sense for Apple to buy CPUs from a third party, because there are no existing lower-powered options within Apple's own stables, and Apple has shown no commitment to taking ownership the design of its iOS devices' SoC from the transistors on up.

I still haven't closed the tag, in case you're wondering.

On Apple's iPad 5, iPhone 5S, and Plastic iPhone | iLounge Backstage

iLounge makes a grab-bag of claims about upcoming products, few of them managing to stand out from pre-existing rumors. The iPad 5 will supposedly look almost exactly like a bigger version of the iPad mini (I think everyone is expecting this already), the iPhone 5S will look virtually identical to the iPhone 5 (ditto), and Apple may/may not release a cheaper iPhone and/or bigger iPhone sometime between March 2013 and the heat death of the universe.

A Few More iPad 5, iPhone 5S, and iPad mini 2G Details | iLounge Backstage

The iPhone 5S is supposedly coming in July with a 13-megapixel camera. The iPad 5 and iPad mini 2 allegedly follow in October, and the iPad mini will get a Retina display. We'll see.

Photos claim to show components bound for Apple's iPhone 5S and iPhone 6 (AppleInsider)

These blurrycam pics of random bits of electronics, divorced from any context as to their use, could be destined for literally almost any electronic device. They could be for an iPhone, but they could also be for a Samsung Galaxy, an HDTV, a dishwasher, a hoverboard, a time machine... anything.

Apple ready to release additional iPad model; likely 128GB version (9to5 Mac)

Juicy headline. But what's this? "While it is certainly plausible that this new iPad model is the 128GB iPad, we are currently not confident enough to outright claim that, but it seems likely based on the evidence."

Hmm. Well, at any rate, this at least seems plausible. Rather than an entirely new iPad, this will supposedly be just an iPad 4 with a 128 GB capacity (or some other differentiating feature), tacked on to the expensive/premium end of the line. Allegedly we can expect to find out what this new iPad is in the very near future.

Whatever it turns out to be, I'm sure it'll be Apple's downfall. I mean, what isn't?