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iOS 5 hints at iPhone, iPad updates

TUAW sources inspecting the USB device files in yet-unreleased iOS 5 firmware have discovered suggestions of two future iPad 3 models as well as a pair of iPhone 5 models. What's most surprising is a big omission: no mention of an iPod touch 5.

Specifically, there are declarations buried in the iOS system files that reference "iPad3,1" and "iPad3,2." Likewise, "iPhone4,1" and "iPhone4,2." The iPhone 5 will be a 4th generation unit because the iPhone 3G was technically 1st generation. This throws off the numbering and confuses everyone, so don't fret if you were confused.

[As MacRumors notes, the iPhone future models were already visible in beta versions of iOS 4.3 earlier this year. –Ed.]

Interestingly, there are no mentions of a new iPod touch. If there really is no iPod touch 5 ready to launch in September (the typical iPod refresh time), sources believe it could be because Apple is reserving the spotlight for another member of its iOS family, namely the iPhone 5.

Of course, experience has shown that model registrations do not mean that these items always become an actual shipping product. For example, it took almost a year for the iPhone 3,3 (the iPhone 4 for Verizon) to ship, and the iPhone 3,2 never became a product. Sources believe that's because alleged carrier deals probably fell through for a third iPhone 4.

[We had those phone models backwards! The iPhone 3,3 is the CDMA iPhone. See, it is confusing. Fixed. –Ed.]

We'll know for sure in the upcoming months, but until then, these tantalizing hints will have to do.



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TUAW sources inspecting the USB device files in yet-unreleased iOS 5 firmware have discovered suggestions of two iPad 3 models as well as a pair of iPhone 5 models
 

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Kdigitalimaging

Why is this a story every time a new iOS is released? Duh,of course there will be next gen iPads and
iPhones. Why wouldn't there be? I think the pattern with this stuff is kinda set.
As for the iPod. Perhaps the next iPod will have a 4.3 inch display and be called the iPad nano?

June 10 2011 at 4:11 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Bob Harvey

Dull.
Just having the names of things means nothing.
I thought you'd read the code and found out what they'd do

June 08 2011 at 8:01 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
meredithpitlik

If Apple releases iPad 2.5 or iPad 3 this fall along with the iPhone 5 (aka 4S) and iPod refresh, it will be almost a Coup de grace for the competing tablet makers. Honeycomb is turning into a non-event, PlayBook is a disaster, Microsoft is a no show, and WebOS will just get lost in the mix.; everyone is going back to the drawing board and cutting back on production to compete with the iPad 2. iCloud's features are just the cherry on the cake.

June 08 2011 at 12:44 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
bwong

500 iPad 2s confiscated in bribery investigation in, 24 arrested http://bit.ly/if2RpS

June 08 2011 at 11:26 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Akshay Garigiparthy

so i'm guessing that a world phone iphone 5 is off the cards??

June 08 2011 at 6:29 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Lai Kian

臉書是我好友 但我的下一步 是 下一個 創見者 而不是臉書 但他還是我的好朋有

June 07 2011 at 9:43 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
groberts1980

iPhone 3G was the second generation iPhone.

June 07 2011 at 8:48 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Adam Meddaugh

iPhone 4 not last iPhone to be made. I didn't see that coming did you? /s

June 07 2011 at 7:07 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
ericaswright

Interesting!!!!

June 07 2011 at 5:21 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Mark Bober

I'm sorry, the iPhone 3G was technically the first model? Uh, where? And while we're at it, what is this AOL login BS?

June 07 2011 at 4:36 PM Report abuse -1 rate up rate down Reply
3 replies to Mark Bober's comment
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