UPDATED 13:00 EDT / AUGUST 19 2013

NEWS

Can Apple Strike Gold With The iPhone 5?

Apple may have a few presents lined up for fanbois in time for the holiday season, and these are likely to be coming in waves over the next months.

Apple will be holding a press event on September 10, 2013, we’re expecting that days before that, iOS 7 will finally be made available for download.  Reports have suggested that Apple will be unveiling two devices at its big press event: the long-awaited iPhone 5S, and the iPhone 5C – which is supposed to be a low cost version of the iPhone 5.  Then there’s the rumors regarding the Apple TV and the iWatch, and of course, the iPad mini 2.  So let’s check out the latest developments on these rumors.

iPhone Latest

 

Sources are now claiming that the iPhone 5S will be adding new color options to what fanbois are used to seeing.  Aside from the traditional black and white offerings, the iPhone 5S will be the first iPhone to be made available in gold.  Rumors of a gold iPhone surfaced back in June when photos of gold toned iPhone SIM card tray appeared on the web.  Now, these reports have apparently been confirmed, but don’t expect it to be too ‘blingy’ as Apple doesn’t normally do ‘tacky’.

Aside from shades of gold, we’re also hearing more about the much rumored fingerprint scanner. Today, TechCrunch’s MG Siegler stated that either Apple was able to “successfully quashed the leaks of what would be the flagship new feature of the device,” or that plans have been altered, but noted that it’s rare to happen that something pops up in code then be scrapped.

So far, what we do know about the upcoming iPhone is that it will have a larger-capacity battery, a new dual-LED rear-camera flash, a 12MP camera, slow motion camera feature, a fingerprint scanner, offline dictation, a Retina+ Sharp IGZO display with 1080p Full HD resolution, and may also be equipped with  LTE-A technology from SK Telecom.

As for the price, Asymco has predicted the iPhone 5S to cost somewhere between $650 to $700, while the 5C will cost around $450 – $500. And if you’re still dubious about whether or not Apple really does plan to release a low cost iPhone, maybe a former Chinese teen idol’s photo might convince you of its existence, or alternatively you think it’s just yet more proof that the Chinese are really good at replicating things.

Click here to find out more about Apple’s rumored announcement on the 10th.

iPad 5 and iPad mini 2

 

According to the latest reports, the iPad 5 will be thinner and lighter – something that’ll definitely appeal to hardcore iPad owners.  Aside from that though, no real standout new features have surfaced, except for a faster processor and the possible presence of a fingerprint scanner.  Photos have been leaked that purportedly show the back panel of the iPad 5 and mini 2, they will both be made of aluminum.

The iPad mini 2 is also expected to have a Retina Display – which may or may not be a huge a deal for consumers, but Apple is hoping that it is.

Apple TV Set For Major Revamp?

 

The Apple television might not be ready this year, but that doesn’t mean Apple doesn’t have ambitions to kick on. Rumors today suggest that the Apple TV is set to undergo some radical changes, with Apple’s acquisition of Matcha, a video programming recommendation site that aggregates content guides from different services such as Netflix, Hulu and Amazon.  Apple has allegedly shut down the service, which suggests that Matcha’s pairing algorithm will be integrated into Apple’s already existing product, the Apple TV.

There’s also been rumors that Apple is just going to reinvent the Apple TV altogether, giving it a more interactive feel with features like gesture control. Latest reports state that it will all be revealed by November, just in time for the holiday season, though as to when the new hardware finally comes out anyone’s guess.

Not Forgetting the iWatch…

 

Back in July we learned that Apple had apparently filed a trademark patent in Japan, Russia, Mexico, Taiwan, Turkey and Colombia pertaining to the name “iWatch.”  Sources reported that the Cupertino giant was fast-tracking hiring for the iWatch project, but we have yet to see any proof of its existence.  Though the concept designs look really good, Apple is yet to confirm or deny if there really will be an iWatch, and so we can’t be sure what the device’s final capabilities and looks may end up like.  So far, we don’t even know if the iWatch will be a companion device or a stand alone gadget, though we’re hoping for the latter outcome if only so fanbois have something to rival Samsung’s Gear.  They can only hope!

If all these devices and upgrades are real, we can expect Apple to go for staggered product release, keeping with its tradition of flair and dramatics.  If Apple releases the iPhone inSeptember, we can expect to see the new iPads by October or November, just before the Apple TV update before or after Christmas.

Check out SiliconANGLE regularly to see the latest news and rumors regarding Apple’s rumored products.


A message from John Furrier, co-founder of SiliconANGLE:

Your vote of support is important to us and it helps us keep the content FREE.

One click below supports our mission to provide free, deep, and relevant content.  

Join our community on YouTube

Join the community that includes more than 15,000 #CubeAlumni experts, including Amazon.com CEO Andy Jassy, Dell Technologies founder and CEO Michael Dell, Intel CEO Pat Gelsinger, and many more luminaries and experts.

“TheCUBE is an important partner to the industry. You guys really are a part of our events and we really appreciate you coming and I know people appreciate the content you create as well” – Andy Jassy

THANK YOU