Weekly Rumor Roundup 7/9 - 7/15

[Akshay Masand]

This past week has been one filled with Apple rumors flying around left and right. There seems to be a lot of speculation regarding the iPad Mini, the next-generation iPhone (presumably the iPhone 5), and even some rumors regarding an upcoming MacBook Pro refresh. For those of you who might of missed any rumors, you can read below to catch up on a week’s worth of what’s being said.

iPad Rumors



Apple Projected to Claim 30% of Android Tablet Market with iPad Minis This Winter

According to analyst Gene Munster of Piper Jaffray, a 7.85-inch iPad Mini with a price tag of roughly $299 or below, is going to be one of this year’s hot selling holiday items. He predicts that if such a device were to be released, it would “cannibalize” just 10% of regular iPad sales but capture at least 30% of Android tablet sales in the last quarter of 2012.

Possible iPad Mini Sample Photos Leaked

GottaBeMobile claims to have gotten their hands on a series of pictures of an iPad Mini case molding. The pictures confirmed that the rumored iPad is significantly smaller than the current one, is also thinner, and the most interesting part is that it seems to have a smaller dock connector as well. The case molding was also held side by side to the current generation iPad to show the differences between what is rumored to come and what’s already out on the market.

Apple Projected to Have Sold 20 Million iPads in Q3

Analyst Charlie Wolf of Needham & Company recently told investors that he upped his June iPad shipment forecast by 20 million units. He even went as far as saying that “it's only a matter of time before iPad shipments exceed iPhone shipments." Rumors such as this one will be confirmed on Apple’s Q3 earnings call on Tuesday, July 24, at 2:00 pm Pacific.

NYT's Sources Confirm Smaller iPad with Cheaper Pricing to be Released in Fall

The New York Time’s sources are helping to confirm that Apple is in fact working on a smaller-sized iPad. The information wasn't anything new but it seems to go hand to hand with previous reports from The Wall Street Journal and Bloomberg. The whole move on Apple’s behalf is one where the company is trying to garner and retain a larger market share by introducing a variety of tablet sizes.

iPhone Rumors



Possible iPhone 5 Engineering Sample Photos Leaked in China

GottaBeMobile claims to have gotten their hands on what they are calling “iPhone 5 engineering samples” this past week which reveal a few things about the design of the upcoming iPhone. The report claims that the metal casing is slightly taller than that of the 4/4S, a little thinner and has the same width.

Analyst Says T-Mobile May Finally Get iPhone in 2013

In a note to his investors, analyst Craig Moffet of Sanford C. Bernstein, said that Apple and Deutsche Telekom are “increasingly likely” to strike a deal for T-Mobile to offer the iPhone in 2013. With consecutive losses being reported over the past few quarters, the deal should significantly help the wireless carrier as well as satisfy a number of people who currently use the iPhone on the T-Mobile network.

Possible Next Generation iPhone Bezel Leaked

The supposed front bezel of the next-generation iPhone has been leaked and confirms some of the speculation that was previously afloat. The pictures provide some insight to the changes to come including the following: the FaceTime camera is centered (in contrast to the FaceTime camera in the iPhone 4/4S which is in a straight line with the front speaker), the glass looks like is made to fit a larger screen, and the right and left edges seem to be much slimmer when compared to the iPhone 4/4S.

iPod Rumors



Next iPod Nano May Follow iPhone Design

Sources in the far east are claiming that Apple’s next-generation iPod Nano borrows some aesthetic and internal design attributes from the company’s successful iPhone. The shape is rumored to change to an oblong more rectangular shape, sport a touchscreen, and the click-wheel interface is said to be removed with the home button coming in as a replacement. The iPod Nano is even said to be getting its own dedicated iTunes service as Apple kills off Ping this fall.

Mac Rumors



Report Claims 13" MacBook Pro With Retina Display Due in October

Digitimes seems to be claiming that Apple has plans to release a 13’’ MacBook Pro with Retina Display this October. The word comes in after Apple previously released the 15’’ MacBook Pro with Retina Display earlier in the summer with a notable absence of a 13’’ model. The production for the model is said to be ramping up in September with an October release.

Demand for iPad Could Trouble Sale of Macs

According to a report by BMO analyst, Keith Bachman, the last two quarters of 2012 will be challenging for Apple due to high demand for the iPad and expectation of a new iPhone. The analyst forecasts that Mac sales are expected to decline in demand as the demand for the iPad continues to increase.

OS X Mountain Lion to Launch July 25?

Apple's next operating system, OS X Mountain Lion, is already in its Golden Master state. It's been cited that Apple Stores are planning overnights on July 24th, which is a possible indication that the company plans to release operating system on the next day, which is July 25th. OS X Mountain Lion is Apple's next large operating system update which is said to be bringing over 200 new features to the Mac.

[ElderRoco]

Thanks for this roundup, I'm interested to see how the iPhone 5 will look.

[bmwraw8482]

Can anybody remember, when was the iPhone 4s actually announced?

[Svet_boy]

Iphone 4s was announced on the 4th oct 2011

[Phillip Swanson]

I believe it was the beginning of October, the 4th I believe. Apple started accepting pre-orders a few days later, and then it was released on the 14th.

[iPod]

Cool article, Thanks!

Thanks for this roundup, I'm interested to see how the iPhone 5 will look.

Aren't we all?

[Mrteacup]

I'm glad you did this or this week but I hope its not a regular thing..

The only weekly thing worth it is theme of the week. Tweak of the week just repeats EXACTLY what tweaks they reviewed that week... Maybe tweak of the month would work cause it would be an actual competition not just "what tweaks came out"

[Yugo]

Love the design of the phone

[Anonymous]

Love the design of the phone

Don't like how the back is made of two materials.

[blkcadi]

Analyst Says T-Mobile May Finally Get iPhone in 2013

In a note to his investors, analyst Craig Moffet of Sanford C. Bernstein, said that Apple and Deutsche Telekom are “increasingly likely” to strike a deal for T-Mobile to offer the iPhone in 2013. With consecutive losses being reported over the past few quarters, the deal should significantly help the wireless carrier as well as satisfy a number of people who currently use the iPhone on the T-Mobile network.

Nice..................

Don't like how the back is made of two materials.

I really like it, fingers crossed. I'll buy the new iPhone no matter what it looks like................

[2k1]

Yep I'm with ya there Bo. I'll be up all night to git it for sure

[Yugo]

Nice..................



I really like it, fingers crossed. I'll buy the new iPhone no matter what it looks like................

+1 , need a new one