Several of this week's rumors strongly suggest that a main fixture in any analyst's office is a dartboard with months listed on it instead of numbers. "Apple will launch its next iPhone in..." *throws dart* "...September. Of course! Quickly, Robin: to the B.S.mobile!"

Analyst: Apple to release Retina display iPad mini models in Q3 and early 2014 [u] (AppleInsider)

Some analyst makes claims about upcoming Apple product launches. He offers precisely zero proof. The rumor blogs breathlessly "report" his musings anyway. Stop me if any of this is sounding depressingly familiar.

As its shares rebound, Apple seen as ready to 'change the narrative' (AppleInsider)

One analyst has broken away from the "Apple is DOOMED" crowd and instead expects the company to recover some stock value on the strength of new product announcements. I would agree with him if Apple's stock price were in any way logically connected to the reality of the company's financial performance... but that hasn't been true for a long time. When it comes to Apple's share price, the inmates are running the asylum, and they have been since late last year.

Foxconn looks to lessen reliance on iPhone, positions for potential Apple television (AppleInsider)

It turns out Foxconn makes products for companies other than Apple, and it's interested in continuing to do so in the future. Who could ever have guessed? Meanwhile, Foxconn's interest in televisions obviously points to a future Apple HDTV, because it's not like Foxconn makes products for companies other than Apple.

Wait, I'm confused. Is Foxconn diversifying away from Apple's existing products or doubling down on Apple products that don't exist yet and may never see the light of day? Well, no matter which way it goes down it doesn't matter, because Apple is obviously DOOMED either way.

Mass Production of Retina Displays for iPad Mini Expected to Start in June or July (MacRumors)

Or August, or September, or October, or...

Sharp to reportedly start 'iPhone 5S' LCD production in June (AppleInsider)

Or July, or August, or September, or...

Morgan Stanley: Apple on track to build multiple new iPhone models in June-July (AppleInsider)

Or August, or September, or October, or...

Surge in Apple's iOS 7 Usage Revealed in Web Traffic Stats (MacRumors)

BREAKING: Widely-expected Apple operating system shows up in web traffic logs shortly before its debut at WWDC [note to editor: change article's dates from 2012 to 2013]

Rumors of low-cost iPhone rekindled as Pegatron said to hire additional 40K workers (AppleInsider)

Like Foxconn, electronics manufacturer Pegatron apparently doesn't make devices for anyone except Apple, and the only possible explanation for Pegatron hiring more workers is that it somehow relates to manufacturing unreleased and long-rumored Apple products.

Purported next-gen iPhone motherboard part may reveal tweaked camera design (AppleInsider)

Remember when Tim Cook said Apple was "doubling down on secrecy," and we all laughed at him? Yet this story is typical of what parts leaks have looked like in 2013: very minor parts divorced from the overall device context and forcing rumor blogs to get all CSI on them. "Zoom. Enhance. Enhance. There. You see? The slightly different shape of the pin connectors suggests -- hey, are you falling asleep? Wake up!"

Pegatron CEO says Bloomberg reporter made up report of 'falling iPad mini demand' (9to5 Mac)

I for one am absolutely shocked that Bloomberg would misrepresent information in an attempt to gin up some more "Apple is DOOMED" nonsense. That's just not like them at all. /sarcasm

This seems like a good time to remind everyone that you can't spell "controversy" without "con."

New Nexus 7 to be highlight of Google I/O as 'iPad mini 2' faces delay, analyst says (AppleInsider)

Some analyst claims Google's new tablet is positioned to take advantage of the new-model iPad mini's "delay."

Let's make one thing clear, "analysts": an unannounced product cannot, by definition, be "delayed." Just because the product wasn't announced by your first out-of-thin-air, B.S. guesstimate date doesn't mean it's been "delayed." It means Apple releases products according to its own internal scheduling, not according to whatever you throw into your "note to investors" after chugging the water in your Magic 8 Ball.

Big changes coming to AppleCare this fall: warranty subscriptions, in-store iOS device repairs, more (AppleInsider)

Honestly, it's so refreshing to see a rumor with a source other than some so-called "analyst" that I'm prepared to believe this story whether it turns out to be true or not.

Rumor Roundup: Delayed until whenever originally appeared on TUAW - The Unofficial Apple Weblog on Mon, 13 May 2013 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Let's open this week's roundup with an examination of the state of the Apple rumor scene.

The sad state of Apple rumors (Macworld)

This past week, Macworld published an article lamenting the current state of Apple rumors. Macworld's take is that the Big Three Devices have already launched -- Apple TV, iPhone, and iPad. What we're left with is scraps of rumors regarding iterative upgrades to these devices, or products like the rumored smartwatch and HDTV that don't seem to rev Macworld's engine.

Macworld is right about one thing: Apple rumors are in a truly sad state. But it has less to do with the devices (real or imagined) under discussion and more to do with universally terrible sourcing and a pervasive lack of critical thinking skills when evaluating what those terrible sources have to say.

Any industry that wilfully publishes every last scrap of information that dribbles out of some random, often-wrong analyst is definitely in a sad state... and this week was a perfect object lesson in just how sad it's become.

Rumor: Leaked KDDI document claims 'iPhone 5S' pre-orders go live June 20, launch in July (AppleInsider)

There is no chance that any wireless carrier anywhere in the world knows the launch date of Apple's new iPhone this far in advance. To its credit, AppleInsider spent a significant portion of this article pointing out all the reasons this document might not be the genuine article -- but the fact they published this nonsense in the first place negates any points they may have gained.

Apple to release OS X 10.9 with new power-user features, more from iOS later this year (9to5 Mac)

None of these rumored features sound particularly outlandish. 9to5 Mac probably has an internal source at Apple for stories like this, as its software forecasts generally turn out to be far more accurate than average.

Jony Ive paints a fresh, yet familiar, look for iOS 7 (9to5 Mac)

Despite the length of this article, there isn't much here that's either new or surprising. The second it became known that Ive was going to be in charge of iOS software UI design, virtually everyone expected him to strip out all the stitched leather, green felt and yellow notebook paper that's been proliferating through iOS. It seems pretty obvious that a man well-known for creating simple, functional, and iconic hardware designs would bring that same aesthetic sense to the software.

iPhone reportedly coming to Boost Mobile in Q3 of 2013 (9to5 Mac)

Around this time in 2012, the iPhone was rumored to be headed for Boost Mobile in September. It didn't happen.

As Apple readies entry-level iPhone, low-cost smartphone market predicted to explode (BGR)

From the article: "Apple hasn't announced any new smartphones yet this year, but the company's plans seem like a matter of public record at this point." Someone please tell BGR that rumor does not equal fact. The article that follows quotes some "market research firm" throwing numbers up in the air like chicken bones and then trying to divine Apple's intentions from how they fall. This "research firm" also falls into the always hilarious trap of predicting what the smartphone market will look like five years in the future. Extra credit awarded to anyone who finds 2008 predictions from this same firm and compares it to the reality in 2013.

In iOS 7, Apple wants to own your car's console with Maps and Siri integration (9to5 Mac)

Tighter car-iPhone integration is something we can all get behind. Unless you're a motorcycle rider like me, in which case you're probably just hoping this makes it less likely drivers will get so distracted by Siri's antics that they merge right into your face.

Apple relents: iPhone 6 with larger display reportedly due in June 2014 (BGR)

Full disclosure: this headline makes me angry. "Apple relents?" It's like BGR pictures crowds of pitchfork-waving peasants storming Cupertino demanding iPhones with gigantic screens. Meanwhile, Tim Cook's sulking in an office at 1 Infinite Loop, a single tear running down his face as he says, "You know what? FINE. Have an iPhablet. Whatever, I don't care anymore."

The sourcing behind this article is typically terrible. Analyst Peter Misek, who's been proven many times to be wrong far more often than he's right, claims Apple will be launching a big-screen iPhone 6 in June 2014.

Let's be clear about this: there is absolutely no one outside of a select few high-level employees at Apple who has any idea what the company's plans are more than a year from now. Anyone outside of that cadre claiming to have inside knowledge of Apple's roadmap is selling something... and it's your own foolish fault if you buy it.

iPad mini reportedly accounted for 64% of all iPads shipped last quarter (BGR)

Speaking of terrible rumor sourcing, "unnamed sources have told Digitimes" something or other. I don't know exactly what, because I stopped reading this article the instant my eyes hit the D-word.

Haswell graphics performance makes Retina MBA a possibility - but not a certainty (9to5 Mac)

This is less of a rumor article and more an analysis from someone who kind of sounds like he knows what he's talking about. It's a good look at how many things have to fit together in order to make Retina MacBook Airs a reality -- display density, graphical performance, battery capacity and life, and cost are just a few of the factors at hand. Display density and graphical performance appear to be addressed; whether the other two have been solved will likely be the determining factor in how soon we'll see Retina displays on Apple's smallest notebooks.

Apple to test low-cost iPhone in small volumes - (unlikely) supply chain claim (9to5 Mac)

Digitimes makes a claim that 9to5 Mac finds spurious enough to call it out as unlikely in the headline... but 9to5 Mac still publishes the information anyway.

Guys, I promise that if we all stop paying attention to Digitimes, they will eventually go away. That is literally how the news media works. Ask any of the thousands of newspapers that have been shut down in the past 20 years.

Will the low-cost iPhone in fact be a $350 mid-level handset? (9to5 Mac)

Notice how we've moved on from questioning whether this device exists at all to speculating on how much it will cost.

Smart TV Adoption Growing Rapidly, Market Ripe for Apple iTV (MacRumors)

The original survey makes no mention of an Apple-branded HDTV at all, but that doesn't stop MacRumors from ginning up speculation about the long-rumored device.

I bought a new TV last year and deliberately steered clear of paying for extra features I knew I'd never use, like 3D, Internet connectivity, and half-baked apps. It was actually quite difficult finding a TV with a decent display that omitted these features, and a year later it's probably more difficult still.

I have always believed the HDTV industry is one Apple would be wise to steer clear of, for many reasons. Nothing remotely credible has surfaced over the past several years to alter my opinion.

Bloomberg: Jony Ive's new software design role could lead to delays for iOS 7 (9to5 Mac)

Now we come to the biggest rumor debacle of the week. I've singled out 9to5 Mac here, but every rumor blog out there ate up Bloomberg's story about an iOS 7 delay quicker than a t-bone steak thrown into a piranha tank. MacRumors' take on the same story references an update from AllThingsD describing specific UI changes expected, but the article makes no mention of AllThingsD's debunking of the "iOS 7 delayed" claims.

It's only later in the day that we get updates like these:

• Despite Apple's shuffling of engineers, iOS 7 'will ship on time' - report (AppleInsider)
• iOS 7 to Ship 'On Time' as OS X Engineers Pitch In (MacRumors)

Here's a blow-by-blow recap of how the day played out with regard to this rumor.

1. Bloomberg publishes a story claiming that inside sources say iOS 7's debut will be delayed.
2. Every rumor blog on the planet jumps on the story and re-reports it without a second's hesitation.
3. AllThingsD and other more reputable sources (such as Jim Dalrymple) come forward and say that iOS 7 will, in fact, launch on time.
4. Every rumor blog on the planet jumps on the update and re-reports it without correcting or retracting their previous posts.

That is the sad state of Apple rumors right there.

Rumor Roundup: Sad state originally appeared on TUAW - The Unofficial Apple Weblog on Mon, 06 May 2013 08:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Apple released its quarterly financial results this past week, and it turns out the company is significantly less doomed that many had predicted. It looks like Apple lives to fight for another quarter... unfortunately, that also means three more months of gibberish from "analysts" and other galactically disreputable sources.

Apple profits may have fallen for the first time in a decade, says analysts (9to5 Mac)

This analysis of Apple's profit was off by "only" 30 million dollars, or 7 cents per share. Predicted revenue was $1.2 billion less than what Apple actually made for the quarter. But hey, what's a billion dollars here and there, am I right? Barely even worth quibbling over.

Apple rejects 5-8m iPhones supplied by Foxconn (9to5 Mac)

From the article: "Details of just what went wrong are sketchy, as the source for this tale is an anonymous Foxconn staffer." Sounds legit! There's no possible way a source that solid could be wrong, or not privy to the whole story, or just plain making it all up.

LG Display's profits grow, but reports cite 'weakened' demand for Apple's iPhone & iPad (AppleInsider)

It's now reached the point where even Apple's component suppliers can't turn in positive financial performance without it somehow being spun into the "Apple is DOOMED" meta-narrative. LG had a major financial performance gain, but the real story is that it had a sequential loss since the holiday quarter. Gee, I wonder why sales during this past financial quarter might be lower than during the holiday quarter... can't think of anything. Obviously it's all down to Apple "losing its luster." That's it. No other explanation possible, Apple DOOMED.

It Can't All Be True (Daring Fireball)

John Gruber makes a similar point to mine regarding the different takes on LG's financial performance: the media is so drunk on the anti-Apple Kool-Aid that it'll grasp at any straw that seemingly supports its position.

New Photos Show Inside of iPad 5 Rear Shell, iPhone 5S SIM Tray (MacRumors)

More truly scintillating parts leaks. In particular, the not-at-all-different nano-SIM tray is bound to show up on the front page of newspapers worldwide.

More Claims of 'Delays' for iPhone 5S Over Fingerprint Sensor Issues (MacRumors)

Some analyst says the speculative date for the iPhone's launch is being moved to a later speculative date because of problems implementing speculative technology that no one has been able to prove Apple is even interested in integrating into its products. Got all that? This is pretty much a wild guess sandwich with conjecture sauce. The problem with this sandwich: there's absolutely no meat to it.

Survey shows 19% of North American consumers want an 'iWatch' (BGR)

I bet if you asked them, 19 percent of North American consumers would want an edible couch made out of nachos. Polls like this tell us absolutely nothing about Apple's plans, or the relative likelihood that any such product exists or will ever exist.

Imagine how stupid and broken Apple's products and business would be if they were guided by market research and polling instead of being generated by people with refined design sense who actually know what they're doing. Actually, it's not all that hard to imagine; that's kind of how Microsoft works now.

Apple reportedly 'caught flat-footed' by the rise of phablets (BGR)

Some analyst thinks that Apple and its 4-inch screened iPhone 5 is on the ropes because Samsung makes devices with 5-inch screens. Considering Apple sold over 37 million iPhones last quarter, I'm guessing they're not caught nearly as "flat-footed" as this "analyst" suggests.

Every time I hear about how Apple is scrambling to "catch up" to Samsung, I can't help but laugh. Look at it this way: Apple spends billions of dollars every quarter on research and development in order to design and build products so good they pretty much sell themselves. Samsung instead spends billions of dollars every quarter on marketing and advertising to convince people that its blatant iPhone clones are the best products. It's a small but crucial difference in how the two companies operate.

Every time an analyst suggests that Apple (number one in profits, revenue, consumer satisfaction) needs to be more like Samsung (number one in market share and, um... losing major patent lawsuits), an angel loses his wings.

iPhone 5S will reportedly launch in early September (BGR)

Someone spins a roulette wheel and lands on "September" for the next iPhone launch. And for some reason, it's reported like it's legitimate news from a source that matters. Reports of weeping sounds coming from Edward R. Murrow's gravesite could not be verified at press time.

Upgraded MacBook models expected to highlight WWDC 2013 (AppleInsider)

Some analyst thinks the "highlight" of WWDC 2013 will be MacBooks with no major design changes. No Retina MacBook Air, no discontinuation of the optical drive MacBook Pro, and allegedly the biggest change to the lineup will be a move to a new processor architecture. Sounds absolutely thrilling. I'm sure Tim Cook will be pleased to make such an earth-shaking product announcement the central focus of Apple's yearly developer conference.

Yield issues to keep Apple from building Retina iPad mini until October - report (AppleInsider)

Some analyst -- the same analyst as for the previous rumor -- thinks the Retina display iPad mini has been "delayed" until October. Here's a question: did anyone honestly expect to see this device launch before then anyway? Show of hands. Okay, now all of you with triple-digit IQs, put your hands down. Wow, still lots of hands up...

Apple Considering Lower-Priced iPad Mini at $199-$249? (MacRumors)

The same analyst again? Wow, this guy sure was busy this week, as were all the rumor blogs breathlessly reporting every single word he said as though it came from Apple's highest echelons instead of some guy throwing darts at a wall and seeing what sticks. This time, he thinks Apple will sell an iPad mini with no rear camera and only 8 GB of storage to get the cost down to $199 to $249.

Considering how low the margins are on the $329 iPad mini already, I don't really see Apple doing this. And even if the company did, can you imagine the reaction? I can. "The only way Apple can compete on price is by selling a crippled, almost useless version of its already cut-down iPad mini. This proves not only that Apple can't innovate anymore (a tablet without a rear-facing camera? How very 2010), but also that Apple's much-vaunted supply chain advantage is dwindling in the face of increased competition from Samsung and others. Can anyone right Apple's sinking ship? Time will tell, but this new version of the iPad mini may also turn out to be indicative of a huge problem that could shake Apple to the core."

I feel like I need a shower after typing that. I don't know how the hacks at the Wall Street Journal and other anti-Apple financial rags manage to write stuff like that every day without giving in to the urge to exfoliate themselves with a belt sander.

Rumor Roundup: Not so wounded as we were led to believe originally appeared on TUAW - The Unofficial Apple Weblog on Mon, 29 Apr 2013 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Many websites have learned the hard way that any 15-year-old kid with a copy of Photoshop and too much time on his hands can easily brew up a convincing "leaked" Apple product. Justifiably, then, these same sites sometimes greet photos of leaked parts with a degree of skepticism. Now, if only they'd employ that same skepticism when evaluating the nonsense that spews from legions of so-called "analysts."

Foxconn resumes hiring in preparation for Apple's next iPhone (AppleInsider)

Foxconn is hiring a bunch of people, which means everyone immediately breaks out their Jump to Conclusions mats and leaps toward the "New iPhone!" square. Maybe, maybe not. Foxconn does build a lot of products for companies besides Apple, you know.

Faked Photo of 'iPhone 5S Logic Board' With A7 Chip Making the Rounds (MacRumors)

You know a rumor is a stinker when Mac-"Digitimes reports that"-Rumors takes time out to debunk it. All snark aside, they did an excellent job ripping this fake photo a new one.

iPhone 5S May Come Equipped with 12-Megapixel Rear Camera and Improved Night Shooting (MacRumors)

The Vietnamese source of this rumor has been a reliable source of information on unreleased Apple products many times before. And since neither of these features sound particularly outlandish, I'd put this one in the (very small) "plausible" rumor pile.

Facebook Home to come to iPhone? We're not holding our breath ... (9to5 Mac)

I find myself in full agreement with 9to5 Mac on this one. If Apple did engage in "talks" with Facebook about integrating Facebook Home in iOS, I bet those talks didn't get much farther than someone at Apple saying, "LOL. No." Apple's not going to relinquish that much control over the iOS user experience to a third party. Anyone who honestly believes otherwise hasn't been paying attention to the "walled garden" and "Big Brother Apple" cliches that have been flying around for the past five years.

More affordable iPhone predicted to grab Apple 11% share of low-end market in 2014 (AppleInsider)

Gene "Apple HDTV coming in 201x" Munster turns his gaze upon another long-rumored but never seen product: the "budget iPhone." A bunch of made-up numbers follow like a stream of... well, let's just say, "something you wouldn't want to see in your kitchen" and leave it at that.

Purported next-gen iPad case pictured, again pointing to major redesign (BGR)

BGR busts out with the word "purported" for this story, which is a photo of a physical object -- a case allegedly designed around the next-gen iPad's form factor. I wonder if BGR is anywhere near as objective about stories sourced from "analysts" and/or daydreaming pundits?

Forbes: Don't expect anything 'new' from Apple in 2013 (BGR)

Nope; not an ounce of skepticism here. Some guy at Forbes says there is nothing new under Apple's sun for the rest of this year, and BGR re-reports it without a trace of incredulity.

iPhone 5S, low-cost iPhone and Retina iPad mini launches all reportedly pushed back (BGR)

Similarly, BGR completely takes "analyst" Peter Misek's ravings about Apple's product roadmap for 2013 at face value... in spite of the fact that Misek has been demonstrably wrong about all things Apple on many, many, many occasions.

So here's how the score shapes up: Leaked photos of physical objects = cautious skepticism. Some analyst says something about Apple = STOP THE PRESSES. I've singled out BGR this week, but it's the same story with most of the rumor blogs out there right now.

The relationship between "analysts" and the rumor blogs reminds me of all the little old ladies I used to see camped out in front of slot machines in Vegas. The odds of hitting a sizeable jackpot were vanishingly low, but there they sat anyway, pulling those levers or pushing those buttons over and over again in the vain hope that this time it might pay off.

iPad 5 Estimated to Be 15% Thinner, 25% Lighter Than Current iPad (MacRumors)

Read any analyst source's "research note" or "note to investors" and keep a tally of how many times he/she says, "We think" or "We believe." These people have no proof for any of these claims about Apple, its products, its potential financial performance, or its future roadmap. None. They are guessing. Their guesses are wrong far more often than they are right. They are not worth taking seriously. At all. Speaking of sources not worth taking seriously...

Apple Halting Mac Component Orders Due to Overestimated Demand? (MacRumors)

"Digitimes reports that" --BZZZT! Next.

Lower-Cost iPhone's Plastic Rear Shell Reportedly Surfaces (MacRumors)

From the article: "We also can not verify whether this is indeed a legitimate rear shell for Apple's lower-cost iPhone. It could simply be manufactured based on circulating rumors, but even if fake it could be an accurate representation if it is based on design specs leaking through case makers."

In other words: It could be real. It could be fake. We don't know. It's anybody's guess, really. Journalism! *jazz hands*

New shots show supposed 'iPhone 5S' camera, unidentified part (AppleInsider)

Is there any other industry where such inconsequential leaks get so much attention? "BREAKING: Gas cap for 2014-model BMW K1300R surfaces (pics)"

Apple warned not to stay quiet, must do 'something by September' (BGR)

Some analyst is screaming for Apple to "[do] SOMETHING" by September. Apparently making obscenely huge amounts of money every three months doesn't count as doing SOMETHING -- all that matters is that everything Apple's selling right now is literally MONTHS old. WHAT HAVE YOU DONE FOR ME LATELY, APPLE? I need an iPhone 5S, an iWatch, and an Apple HDTV, and I need them NOW, or I WALK.

Rumor Roundup: Selective skepticism originally appeared on TUAW - The Unofficial Apple Weblog on Mon, 22 Apr 2013 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

The rumor blogs are developing a curious type of tunnel vision lately. Any time a rumored new hire, new part, new technology, or new patent appears that can't be immediately tied to one of Apple's existing products, the rumor blogs immediately start braying about the iWatch. They did exactly the same thing last year, except in 2012 the Apple HDTV was the Big Mythical Apple Device of the Year.

5th Generation iPad to Begin Production in July-August (MacRumors)

"Digitimes claims that" -BZZZT. Next.

'iPhone 5S', cheaper iPhone to come in multiple new colors, July announcement? (9to5 Mac)

Macotakara claims the next iPhone will come in three additional colors. It's worth mentioning that the first time this rumor came about, it was sourced from an analyst who's wrong about Apple's product pipeline often enough that it merited a special post on Cult of Mac outlining his terrible accuracy record.

Apple and Yahoo in active discussions regarding increased partnership for Siri, search (Wall Street Journal, via 9to5 Mac)

This makes a little more sense than the usual garden-variety Apple rumor. Apple and Yahoo aren't really competitors -- certainly not to the extent that Apple and Google are -- so Apple partnering with Yahoo to source some data for things like Siri actually makes sense.

OS X 10.8.4 code confirms new Macs incoming with super-fast 802.11ac Gigabit wireless support (9to5 Mac)

Although these types of leaks are theoretically trivially easy to fake, they usually turn out to be accurate.

Is this the front of Apple's next-generation iPad? (Engadget)

Yeah, probably.

Korea Times posts its latest 'Apple moving away from Samsung' claim (9to5 Mac)

From the article: "The paper regularly claims that Apple is abandoning Samsung as a supplier, and is regularly wrong." Okay... so why repost this "news" in the first place?

Microsoft's Office for iOS, Android: Not until fall 2014? (ZDNet)

The longer Microsoft waits, the less relevant Office will be in a post-PC world. We've already had three years to get used to the idea of creating content on an iPad without Microsoft's help. The company certainly isn't doing itself any favors by ignoring this market... then again, when was the last time Microsoft was undeniably firing on all cylinders?

Analyst says Apple may launch new internet service, 'killer iOS app' after meeting with management (AppleInsider)

The analyst in question seems to be making a habit of meeting with Apple management, then coming out with extraordinarily vague claims about Apple's product pipeline shortly thereafter. I seriously doubt Apple's management is giving her any more information than they usually give out at their quarterly financial conference calls -- in other words, "We don't comment on unreleased products."

Component may show dual-head vibration motor for Apple's low-cost iPhone (AppleInsider)

Add this to the rogue's gallery of "History's Least Exciting Product Leaks."

5-inch iPhone Analysis: Apple Needs an 'iPhad,' Topeka Says (BGR)

Some analyst decided to double down on his track record of being wrong about Apple by suggesting that Apple's best -- maybe only -- chance for success is to essentially copy Samsung's product strategy. Riiiight.

Development issues may cause later-than-expected debuts of 'iPhone 5S,' low-cost iPhone & next iPad mini (AppleInsider)

From the article: "The bulk of Apple's 2013 product pipeline will likely launch later than many market watchers expect, according to one insider." Wow, who is this "insider" with such intimate knowledge of Apple's release schedule? Some financial analyst.

This is a perfect example of the low point the various rumor blogs have reached. When analysts are classified as "insiders," where does it end? Is Digitimes up for election to Apple's Board of Directors?

Apple close to closing 'iRadio' streaming deal with Warner, royalties on par with Pandora rates (9to5 Mac)

This zombie rumor simply refuses to die, no matter how much time passes and no matter how many times it fails to come true. It's the kind of thing we can all envision happening someday -- eventually -- so when it does, count on the rumor blogs to trumpet their accuracy while ignoring literally years of false prophecy.

Next-gen iPad could use new LED backlighting system to cut weight (AppleInsider)

This is far from the first time this rumor has been announced, and it's mundane enough that it's probably true.

Rumor: Ex-Adobe exec Kevin Lynch heading Apple team of former iPod employees (AppleInsider)

From the article: "It's unknown exactly what Lynch's new mystery team is working on, but the site speculated on Friday that the new division could be working on Apple's rumored smart watch accessory."

As mentioned earlier, this is the latest trend in the rumor scene. "We don't know what Apple's doing or what it's for... so it must be about the iWatch!" Non sequitur; your thoughts are uncoordinated.

Fingerprint identification technology may be next-gen iPhone's Siri (BGR)

Or... and bear with me here... it may not feature on the device at all. Just like last year. In the meantime, maybe you should stop posting every single word "Topeka Capital Markets analyst Brian White" says about Apple as though it were carved on unibody aluminium tablets, because you're going to look awfully silly when his predictions turn out to have a lower accuracy percentage than random chance.

Longtime Apple Board Member Bill Campbell Says Technology Coming to 'Intimate Objects' (MacRumors)

One of Apple's board members makes off-the-cuff remarks about "intimate objects" = rumor blogs fall all over one another in the race to be FIRST! to post a story linking this to Apple's supposed smart watch endeavors.

Microsoft Looking to Join the Smart Watch Race (MacRumors)

No comment necessary. Sometimes the jokes just write themselves.

Rumor Roundup: A new definition of 'insider' originally appeared on TUAW - The Unofficial Apple Weblog on Mon, 15 Apr 2013 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Back in the 90s, you couldn't watch TV after 10 o'clock at night without seeing at least one commercial for the Psychic Friends Network and/or Miss Cleo. I always used to wonder what happened to those guys after the bankruptcies and fraud investigations, but I think I've got it figured out: they all became financial analysts and Apple rumormongers. It makes perfect sense.

Rumor: Apple's expiring chip contract with Samsung will lead to TSMC-built 'A7' chips (AppleInsider)

Remember back in 2011, when TSMC started building A5 processors and Apple kicked Samsung to the curb? Remember when it happened again in 2012 with the A6? ...No? You don't remember either of those events? Weird. Neither do I.

More signs point to 2013 Apple 'iWatch' launch (BGR)

In this case, "signs" can be defined as some analyst's random ravings about Apple's future plans, with no evidence to support any of his claims. We'll hear more truly laughable stuff from this particular analyst later.

Apple to Begin iPhone Production This Quarter (Wall Street Journal)

Despite the mainstream pedigree of the Journal's name, this article brings absolutely nothing new to the table. Other rumors have already suggested virtually everything contained here: Apple may or may not launch the iPhone 5S in the summer, and it may or may not launch a "budget" model at the same time or soon thereafter.

"Kudos" to the Journal, however, for somehow managing to frame this as yet another problem for Apple. And a very special shout-out to the concussed analyst they interviewed who suggested that "Apple needs to take a page from Samsung and launch more products faster." It's so obvious now; the only way to "save" Apple is to copy Samsung. Why didn't anyone think of this before? Anyone without a history of massive head trauma, I mean.

The Latest Apple Scuttlebutt (Daring Fireball)

In contrast to most of the frankly absurd Apple rumors out there, this thread on Branch contains some very interesting analysis from several people who have offered very accurate insights on Apple in the past. Most intriguing is the rumor that Jonathan Ive's sweeping UI changes to iOS 7 have set the OS update behind schedule, and both resources and employees have been transferred from development on OS X 10.9 to help get iOS 7 out the door on time.

Rumor: Apple television with 'iRing' motion controller to launch this year (AppleInsider)

In direct contrast to the well-sourced and level-headed analysis of the previous item comes this... thing... which is easily the dumbest thing I've read all week. This "iRing" concept looks like something from The Onion, or a poorly-executed April Fool's gag. Instead, some analyst actually floated this as a possible future Apple product... and he did it with a straight face. Do you need any more evidence that these so-called "analysts" are not worth taking even the slightest bit seriously?

Fingerprint scanning tech predicted to be major component of Apple's 'iPhone 5S' & 'iWatch' (AppleInsider)

The same analyst responsible for this week's most ridiculous rumor reached into 2012's rumor bin and dragged out the old "iPhone will have a fingerprint sensor" chestnut.

Apple reportedly closing in on deal with record labels for 'iRadio' service, could sign within a week (AppleInsider)

How many years has it been now that Apple has been asymptotically approaching a deal with record labels for a streaming music service?

RUMOR: Apple to announce replacement for Mac Pro soon (MacDailyNews)

According to MacDailyNews, "Our source offered no information as to whether the 'Mac Pro replacement' would be a tower, mini-tower, or some other solution." The Mac Pro might even be a razor. It could have two blades! Or three! Or -- and we caution that we have not been able to independently corroborate this information -- the Mac Pro could have as many as five blades. If anyone can do it, Apple can.

Apple Notebook Refresh Expected Late This Quarter, But Only Modest Shipment Growth for 2013 (MacRumors)

Citing supply chain sources, Digitimes reports that you are not the father.

Rumor Roundup: Psychic Friends Network originally appeared on TUAW - The Unofficial Apple Weblog on Tue, 09 Apr 2013 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

"April showers bring May flowers." This old phrase refers to rain showers, but it could just as easily apply to the shower of "analysis" and rumors regarding Apple and its products. You could print any one of these stories out and use it to fertilize your lawn.

Apple expected to report record revenues - but falling earnings (9to5 Mac)

According to Fortune, "The bad news is that every analyst we've surveyed -- even the most bullish -- believes that for the first time in a decade Apple (AAPL) will report that its income this quarter was lower than the same quarter the year before."

The good news is that financial analysts have absolutely no clue what they're talking about when it comes to Apple.

Why the budget iPhone would throw the smartphone market into chaos (BGR)

"The buzz around the budget iPhone has grown deafening, with new reports about the device coming out on a weekly basis."

The "buzz" certainly is deafening. Almost as deafening as the lack of any substantiating evidence that this product exists at all. The idea behind this product doesn't even make sense -- it's allegedly a cheaper, cut-rate version of the existing iPhone designed to increase Apple's market share at the expense of its profits. Do any of the people writing about this supposed "budget iPhone" pay any attention whatsoever to how Apple actually operates?

That was a rhetorical question.

Apple analyst Gene Munster still clinging to HDTV this year, warns no major product announcements until June iPhone 5S launch (9to5 Mac)

Munster was demonstrably wrong in his prediction of a March launch for the Retina display iPad mini, so it's an open question why we should take any of his other predictions seriously.

Digitimes says Apple is working on a 4K TV for either later this year or early next year (9to5 Mac)

Give 9to5 Mac a hand for including Digitimes' name in the headline, thus making it unnecessary to read the article at all to determine whether or not this rumor has the slightest chance of coming true.

Apple Cutting iPad Mini Shipments in Q2 2013 to Prepare for Next Generation? (MacRumors)

"Digitimes is reporting that" -- BZZZZZT! WRONG!

Apple's ceramic device housing could be used in low-cost iPhone (AppleInsider)

Exhibit A: a patent filing. Exhibit B: Some analyst's wild guesses based on that patent filing. 404 error, actual news not found.

iPhone 5S announcement rumored for June 20th, launch in July (BGR)

By this point, the rumor blogs have predicted the next iPhone will launch in every month between now and the end of the year. I'd like to see these guys at a roulette wheel in Vegas. "$500 on red. And $500 on black, too. C'mon, red or black! Daddy needs a new pair of shoes!"

Exclusive: Apple will launch an official gaming joypad soon (PocketGamer)

Exclusive: nope.

Biting the hand that feeds you: why are record labels fighting Pandora? (The Verge)

Buried within this article are assertions that "iRadio" is definitely coming out this year. If you just got a sudden blast of déjà vu, that's because people have been saying Apple will "definitely" launch a streaming music service "this year" for several years in a row.

Rumor Roundup: 'Deafening buzz' originally appeared on TUAW - The Unofficial Apple Weblog on Tue, 02 Apr 2013 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Apple's competitors have almost devolved to the point of self-parody. Samsung and Google are perfect examples; they're now both gearing up to push products to market simply because Apple has been rumored to be working on a wearable computer or "iWatch." Some blatantly anti-Apple pundits will of course lambast Apple's product as "unoriginal" or "derivative" when/if it ever comes to market, since Samsung and Google will presumably have their own versions available for sale first.

The one thing that's most predictable about Apple "analysis" is its complete lack of grounding in logic.

Apple rumored to launch Retina iPad mini in Q3 2013 (AppleInsider)

Asian sources throw darts at a wall and come up with yet another purported launch date for the next-gen iPad mini with Retina Display. There's no proof, of course, so don't put too much money down on this rumor.

Apple revival said to start with 'killer feature' planned for iPhone 5S (BGR)

From the article: "Huberty gave no hint about what this 'killer feature' might entail." That's probably because she has no idea. Apple isn't going to reveal potential features ahead of schedule to a financial analyst.

Apple expected to double dividend to $16 billion, among highest in U.S. history (BGR)

Some analyst thinks Apple's going to double its dividend payouts. Somehow, having over a hundred billion dollars in cash sitting around is a huge problem. I wish I had problems like that.

Survey shows huge interest in an HDTV from Apple, but few willing to commit (BGR)

69 percent of people surveyed said they might consider purchasing a product that Apple has shown no interest in building and that most reasonable people have accepted will likely never see the light of day. On the other hand, only 15 percent would "feel comfortable" buying a completely mythical product.

Apple predicted to gain additional U.S. smartphone share over Samsung in 2013 (AppleInsider)

Some analyst thinks Apple will gobble up some of Samsung's market share this year following a seemingly lackluster product launch for the Samsung Galaxy S IV. Hmmm... seems Samsung is even copying Apple's "disappointing" product launches now. Can "Samsung is DOOMED" be far behind?

iPhone 5S to Get Upgraded Camera and Processor, Could Ship to Retailers in the 3rd Quarter (MacRumors)

"Digitimes is reporting" -- blah blah blah, yadda yadda yadda. "Reporting" isn't the proper word for what Digitimes is doing. "Making [expletive deleted] up" is more like it.

New low-end iPhone expected to cost half as much as iPhone 5, margins seen at 38% (BGR)

Some analysts threw a bunch of numbers around about a product not even remotely confirmed to exist. If this sounds familiar, that's because it's been happening at an average of once per week this whole year. None of these people actually have any clue how much this product will cost consumers, how much it will cost to make, or if it even exists at all. The more specific their numbers, the more laughable their predictions.

Google Reportedly Working on Its Own Android Smart Watch (MacRumors)

Samsung and Google are no longer content to copy existing Apple products; now they've moved on to copying rumored Apple products. It's only a matter of time before Google dispatches private eyes to start sifting through Jonathan Ive's trash bins.

Rumor: Apple to launch cheaper iPhone with plastic casing, non-Retina display this summer (AppleInsider)

Some analyst makes a series of unsourced and unbelievable claims about a low-cost iPhone. Just like every other analyst on the planet, he has no proof for any of these claims. Not a shred. The claim that a new iPhone will debut without a Retina Display is particularly appalling -- I don't know how this analyst expected anyone to buy that nonsense. But does that stop the rumor blogs from reporting it anyway? Nope.

Alleged iPhone 5S Home Button, Vibrator and Volume/Mute Flex Cable Parts Surface (MacRumors)

And here we go... incredibly exciting parts leaks here. If by "incredibly exciting" you mean "not remotely exciting in the slightest."

Rumor Roundup: Attack of the copycats originally appeared on TUAW - The Unofficial Apple Weblog on Mon, 25 Mar 2013 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

A few weeks ago, I compared the world of Apple "analysis" and rumors to the worst possible game of Wheel of Fortune. Upon further reflection, it feels a lot more like the combination of a drunken game of darts and hanging an intentionally misleading "Free donuts tomorrow" sign in front of a restaurant.

A year after Apple announced its dividend, 'timing could be right' for another cash deployment (AppleInsider)

Some analyst thinks Apple is going to start paying out bigger dividends to shareholders in order to start chipping away at its giant pile of cash. But the real news comes in the final paragraph, courtesy of well-known A-list investor Warren Buffet. AppleInsider says that according to Buffet, "Apple's best strategy is to simply run its business well." No. Go on! You're pulling our legs, Warren.

Supply Chain Indicators Point to Poor February for Apple (MacRumors)

Some analyst (the same one from the rumor above, incidentally) says his "supply chain checks" indicate Apple had a "terrible" February. Of course, Apple CEO Tim Cook himself has said that these so-called supply chain checks often don't capture the full picture of Apple's operations, so why analysts continue to lend them so much weight is an open question.

Apple to use fingerprint sensor to enhance the security of NFC mobile payments in next iPhone? (9to5 Mac)

If this rumor sounds achingly familiar, it's because virtually every word of it was said about the iPhone 5 last year.

Apple predicted to announce plans for growing cash pile by April, will add $42B over 2013 (AppleInsider)

Another analyst says Apple will announce its financial plans for its US$137 billion pile of cash next month. He refrains from speculating much on what those plans might be, however. My bet? Apple launches its own constellation of GPS satellites to address problems with Apple Maps. Hey, it's more likely than the perennial rumor that Apple will buy Twitter.

Rumor: Intel could land 10% of Apple's 'A7' chip orders (AppleInsider)

Given that this story is sourced from Digitimes, you can safely change that 10% figure to 0%.

AAPL Analyst Short of the day: Jefferies' Misek downgrades on expensive low cost iPhone, own casing color prediction unlikelihood (9to5 Mac)

Peter Misek is wrong about Apple's future plans so often that a few weeks ago Cult of Mac did a breakdown of his incorrect predictions over the past few years. Yet for some reason, rumor blogs are still publishing his musings as though they're gospel.

IDC estimates Android will pass Apple for worldwide tablet market share in 2013 on the back of smaller/cheaper tablets (9to5 Mac)

This is the same IDC that, once upon a time, thought Windows Phone 7 was going to overtake iOS market share. How did that prediction fare?

Apple's HDTV reportedly delayed, iWatch may launch this year (BGR)

Peter Misek is at it again: the Apple HDTV is supposedly "delayed" yet again and due to launch "sometime next year," and he gives the iWatch a 50/50 chance of launching this year.

"Apple HDTV delayed until next year" is the headline that keeps on giving. It's like putting a readerboard sign in front of your restaurant that says "Free donuts tomorrow" -- you never need to pay off on the promise, because technically the board always says the donuts will be free at some future date.

Apple Reportedly Preparing to Announce Larger Dividend or Stock Buyback (MacRumors)

Yet another financial outlet claims to have the inside story on what Apple plans to do with its cash stockpile. With so many outlets reporting the same thing, that Apple plans to make an announcement by next month, it's hard to shake the feeling that the Internet's echo chamber is hard at work yet again.

Apple to diversify manufacturers for low-cost and legacy iPhones (AppleInsider)

Some analyst claims Pegatron will start taking over the lion's share of iPhone production from longtime manufacturer Foxconn. We've been hearing this same rumor for years now, and it's definitely starting to feel like yet another case of "free donuts tomorrow" from the rumor blogs. Speaking of which...

Apple's next-gen A7 processor reportedly being readied for production by TSMC (AppleInsider)

The number following the capital-A changes each year, but the rumor doesn't. Each year we hear that the A(x) chip will be built by TSMC instead of Apple's bitter rival Samsung. Each year, it fails to happen. That this story is sourced from "sometimes reliable" Digitimes seals the deal on the probable veracity of this rumor.

Apple proposes 'on-the-go' wireless charging via iPad Smart Cover with built-in battery (AppleInsider)

This patent is actually quite fascinating, suggesting that future iPad Smart Covers could act as portable, wireless chargers for the iPads they connect to. Given how thin the Smart Covers are compared to the iPads themselves, and considering that most of the internal volume of an iPad is its battery, it's questionable how much extra juice you'd get from a Smart Cover. On the other hand, as anyone who makes heavy daily use of an iPad knows, every last milliamp of charge counts.

Apple's 'budget' iPhone expected to have same 4-inch display as iPhone 5 (AppleInsider)

At this point, one gets the sense that these analysts are simply throwing darts at a wall in an attempt to divine the size of Apple's supposed "low-cost" iPhone. "The screen will be bigger! No, smaller! No, bigger! Wait, it'll be the same size!" It's a typical case of self-contradiction in the world of Apple analysis, and a perfect example of why hardly any of these so-called "analysts" are worth taking even the slightest bit seriously.

Apple's Retina iPad mini to follow debut of high-res Google's Nexus 7, report says (AppleInsider)

"When would the Mini be available? Could be third quarter or fourth quarter," one of the analysts said. Translation: "I dunno." *throws dart at a wall full of numbers*

Rumor Roundup: 'Free donuts tomorrow' originally appeared on TUAW - The Unofficial Apple Weblog on Mon, 18 Mar 2013 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

The "iWatch" isn't even remotely confirmed to exist yet, but if you think that's stopped analysts from predicting it'll be either Apple's salvation or the harbinger of its demise (depending on which way the chicken bones fall), then you must be new to the world of Apple rumors.

Meanwhile, this week brought us rumors of other, slightly more believable Apple products -- and the sources ran the gamut from "right so often he must have inside sources" to "wrong so often that flipping a coin will get you better results." Anyone want to take bets on which category will feature "reports out of the Far East?"

Apple's Planned 'IWatch' Could Be More Profitable Than TV - Bloomberg

Bloomberg doubles down on its prediction that the iWatch will launch this year. Of course, lots of people have said the same thing about the Apple HDTV, and that's nowhere to be seen either.

Apple's watch will run iOS and arrive later this year, say sources | The Verge

The iWatch will supposedly run full iOS, according to The Verge's sources. However, those same sources say battery life issues are stymying Apple's efforts.

Jony Ive Ordered Boxes Of Nike Watches - Business Insider

Jony Ive supposedly ordered a bunch of Nike watches in the mid-2000s, which Bloomberg takes to mean he's been thinking about the iWatch for a long time.

Hey, I'll bet Ive bought a car when he was 16 years old... BREAKING EXCLUSIVE: Jony Ive to design iCar

Apple Building 2TB Solid State Drives for Next Mac Pro Release? (MacRumors)

Some site you've never heard of has an unconfirmed report that Apple is developing high-capacity SSDs for its next Mac Pro. You know, the one it hasn't updated significantly since 2010, and that's been on deathwatch for two years. Makes sense. Remember, in the rumor business, "unconfirmed report" = page view gold.

Apple to debut 'iPhone 5S' in June alongside low-cost fiberglass and plastic handset (AppleInsider)

Some analyst makes very specific claims about Apple's supposedly forthcoming hardware. Very few of these claims are original; however, this guy's been right several times in the past, so it's tougher to dismiss his claims out of hand.

iPhone 5S planned for August, next iPads may debut as soon as April | iMore.com

Speaking of people who've been right many times, Rene Ritchie of iMore says the next iPads will come out in April, with the iPhone 5S following in August. He hasn't been wrong yet.

Apple could ditch the home button for pressure-sensitive casing in future iPhones (BGR)

Why do so many rumormongers hate the Home button? What did it ever do to them? Did that small, concave circle with its unobtrusive rounded rectangle run over someone's dog? Did it date somebody's daughter and bring her home after midnight? We spent a good portion of last year and the year before that hearing about how Apple was going to ditch the Home button on the iPad and the iPhone. It didn't happen. It won't happen. There's a point at which simplicity of design becomes too cumbersome to tolerate from a usability perspective. Just ask the third-generation iPod shuffle.

Rumor: Production of Apple's 'iPhone 5S' now underway at Foxconn (AppleInsider)

MacOtakara claims production of the iPhone 5S has already begun. This doesn't jibe well with iMore's prediction of an August launch -- millions of iPhones aren't going to gather dust in China for five months -- and since iMore is batting 1000 on their predictions, I'll go with them.

Apple Will Miss Its Own Revenue Guidance, Says Citi - Business Insider

Throw another log on the "Apple is doomed!" fire, because that "most accurate" of "sources," analysts checking supply chain sources, now claims Apple will miss its own quarterly revenue guidance. Keep in mind that Apple hasn't missed its own guidance in years, and its only "misses" have been against the hyperinflated expectations of dumbkopf Wall Street analysts.

Swatch CEO doesn't believe Apple's rumored 'iWatch' is next tech revolution (AppleInsider)

Synchronize Swatches! The CEO of Swatch doesn't think the iWatch will be revolutionary. Keep in mind this is a device that's not only unannounced, there's no actual evidence it exists. This is a lot like Samsung saying Apple's HDTV won't revolutionize that industry... oh wait, that happened too. Well, it's also like Microsoft's CEO saying the iPhone won't get any traction in the market -- oh, right. That also happened.

I guess the lesson here is to keep your opinions to yourself when predicting the demise of Apple's products, because otherwise you inevitably wind up sounding silly. Well, except for the people who thought Ping was a terrible idea. Good call on that one.

Rumor: Apple and Intel again mulling partnership to build A-series chips (AppleInsider)

Remember two years ago, when this same rumor surfaced? How many iPhones run on Intel processors today?

Apple reportedly slashes 9.7-inch iPad orders due to iPad mini cannibalization (BGR)

According to "sometimes reliable" Digitimes, Apple has "slashed" orders for the full-sized iPad. Where "sometimes reliable" = semiannually accurate, like a broken clock that's right twice a year. This isn't even the first time Digitimes has beaten this particular drum this year... and again, if what iMore has said is true, it's entirely possible Apple's "slashed" orders for the full-size iPad because its replacement is going into production.

Rumor: Apple will purportedly use Qualcomm's Snapdragon SoC in low-cost iPhone (AppleInsider)

This rumor sounds familiar too. Probably because it made the rounds in January of this year. It didn't make any sense then, and it doesn't make any sense now.

Apple Exploring Wireless Charging for iPhone as Early as 2013? (MacRumors)

From the article: "Digitimes has a mixed record with Apple rumors, so Apple's likelihood of incorporating such technology so soon remains uncertain."

That's an almost admirably diplomatic way of putting it.

Rumor Roundup: 'A mixed record with Apple rumors' originally appeared on TUAW - The Unofficial Apple Weblog on Mon, 11 Mar 2013 08:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

A modest proposal: Apple should award a unibody aluminum dunce cap to the analyst whose record of predictions turns out to be the worst in any given year. We're only into March, but one analyst is already standing above the rest.

Purported 'iPad 5' cases again hint Apple will adopt mini-like redesign (AppleInsider)

Direct from the article: "It's uncertain whether the case designs - all offering similar slots for controls, microphones, connectors, and speakers, and all shaped like the iPad mini - are based on familiarity with Apple's plans for a forthcoming iPad redesign or whether they are simply guesses based on assumptions of Apple's plans."

This disclaimer ought to accompany every single story like this. Case designers have been wrong many times.

Rotten rumors of impossible Apple stock split helps fund manager clear profits (AppleInsider)

"Apple may split its stock," says some guy. Based on that rumor, the stock price goes up. That same guy then sells some stock and makes a tidy profit. Nothing suspicious about that at all. Move along, nothing to see here.

Apple may need $137B cash hoard to weather 'very rough' next two years, analyst says (AppleInsider)

Peter "How does he still have a job?" Misek, who's built a career on being constantly incorrect about what Apple will do three to six months in the future, quadruples down and bets on what Apple's fortunes will be like over the next two years. All this really shows is Misek is adapting; rather than making short-term predictions that are soon proven false, he's playing the long game with predictions that won't be proven false until 2015.

Apple's versatile magnetic stand concept could securely hold an iPad upside down (AppleInsider)

Although the standard "Apple patents stuff that never sees store shelves" caveat applies, this is one case where I really hope this technology does make it into shipping products.

Corning Says Devices With Flexible 'Willow Glass' Displays Unlikely to Appear for at Least Three Years (MacRumors)

Remember when Corning announced flexible glass, and people with no concept of production scalability immediately shouted from the rooftops, "iWatch! iWatch coming in six months with flexible glass!" Well, it turns out that there's a wide gulf between "Look at this neat thing we can make," and "Look what we can crank out by the millions every month." Who knew?

Former Apple CEO: Apple needs another 'creative leap' (BGR)

John Sculley, who will be forever known as "The Guy Who Fired Steve Jobs," echoes all the strident doomsayers of the past six months by saying Apple needs to unveil its Next Big Thing if it wants to stay on top. Bear in mind that Sculley's tenure as CEO was the first step in transforming the Apple of the 1980s into the Apple of the 1990s, so take his advice with a grain of salt roughly 12,000 kilometers wide.

Rumor: $330 polycarbonate iPhone with 4.5" screen planned for 2014 (AppleInsider)

Now taking all bets on which, if any, of the numbers in that headline are even close to correct.

Rumor: Apple to ship 'iPhone 5S' and more affordable iPhone in August 2013

The "source" of this rumor might be the worst I've ever heard: a Chinese tech site citing analysts. It's totally backward, too -- usually it's the analysts citing sketchy Chinese sources, so now we've come full circle. The only way it could be worse is if Digitimes starts publishing rumors based on anything Peter Misek says about Apple. I'm sure if we wait long enough, it'll happen.

Rumor Roundup: Play that funky Misek originally appeared on TUAW - The Unofficial Apple Weblog on Mon, 04 Mar 2013 08:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Picture three contestants on Wheel of Fortune who are all Wall Street analysts. They play all the dumb letters first -- Z, X, Q, and so forth -- and land on "Bankrupt" on almost every spin. Now picture the puzzle they're trying to solve is, "What will Apple do next?"

Welcome to the world of Apple rumors.

Apple could triple share of Chinese market with $330 'iPhone mini'

Some analyst spun the Wheel of Fortune and landed on a $330 price tag for a hypothetical "iPhone mini." I'd like to solve the puzzle: "Analyst crystal ball gazing isn't newsworthy."

Apple likely to debut $199 iPhone as low-cost smartphone market hits $135B in 2013

Gene "Apple HDTV!!" Munster spins the Wheel and lands on $199 for the low-cost iPhone. You've got to admire his tenacity considering how many times Munster's spun and landed on "Lose A Turn."

Rumor: Apple lining up suppliers for Retina MacBook Air, next-gen iPad (AppleInsider)

Macotakara claims we'll see a Retina MacBook Air this year. They've gotten lucky with their claims in the past, but for the sake of my credit card balance, I sincerely hope they're wrong this time.

AU Optronics Catches Up with iPad Mini Display Production, Begins Working on Displays for Next Generation Model (MacRumors)

According to a report from Digitimes, something something "journalism" huh?

Foxconn reportedly halts hiring due to slow iPhone 5 production, resumes next month (for next iPhone?) (9to5 Mac)

Obviously this means two things: the next iPhone is due out in mid-year, and Apple is doomed.

Preferred stock seen as Apple's chance to 'seize the opportunity' and reverse losses (AppleInsider)

Some analyst thinks Apple will start paying higher dividends to shareholders. That will supposedly help Apple get rid of the massive pile of cash it has sitting around that's otherwise not doing much except being awe-inspiring.

Apple patent filing points directly to 'iWatch' concept with flexible touchscreen display (AppleInsider)

The real news here: Apple's bringing back slap bracelets. Brace yourself for iPogs in 2014.

iPad 5 release date: Redesigned iPad to launch in Q3 | BGR

A "Taiwan-based research firm" apparently reads the same rumors as the rest of us, because the only new claim here is that Apple will discontinue the iPad 2.

Possible Photos of Second-Generation iPad Mini Rear Shell Surface (MacRumors)

The site responsible for this latest leak has had many positive hits in the past. My gut says this one is probably legitimate.

First photos of case for next full-sized iPad again point to narrower, iPad mini-like design (9to5 Mac)

If the next-gen, full-sized iPad doesn't look like a giant iPad mini, I'll be extremely shocked. I imagine these intrepid case makers will be even more shocked, though.

Morgan Stanley Meets With Apple's CFO - Business Insider

Even Business Insider is skeptical on this one.

"Stop us if you've heard this one before -- " stop

"A Wall Street analyst meets with Apple's management --" STOP

"and comes away more confident about Apple making a cheaper iPhone." please make it stop

Is Apple's Future BlackBerry, Microsoft Or Amazon? - Forbes

Forbes is on a roll, but unfortunately that roll is, "Worst financial analysis possible regarding the world's most financially successful company."

This analyst opened his article with a Mark Twain quote, so I'll close with one:

"Get your facts first, and then you can distort them as much as you please."

Rumor Roundup: Buy a vowel originally appeared on TUAW - The Unofficial Apple Weblog on Mon, 25 Feb 2013 08:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

There's a marked split in rumors related to Apple. There's "almost kind of real news" that's sourced from "people familiar with the matter" or "sources who have been reliable in the past" or perhaps even spyshots of parts, products, or entire production lines. This type of article probably (*) turns out to be right about as often as random chance.

Then there's "news" from "analysts," which almost always consists of 100 percent pure, grade-D B.S. Articles with an analyst as a source usually turn out to be as accurate as a blind tennis player (with apologies to any blind tennis players who may be reading this).

These guys (they're almost all men) are so laughably wrong so often that I often wonder:

• How they still have jobs
• Why anyone pays attention to them
• No, seriously, why does anything they say qualify as newsworthy, ever?

This past week was a classic example of rumor blogs paying way more attention to analysts than is warranted (i.e., any attention at all). This post would have been way shorter if these blogs had learned their lesson and stopped paying attention to this second-worst of sources on all things Apple -- don't worry Digitimes, you're still bottom of the barrel in our hearts -- but this week was a veritable analyst overload.

Almost kind of real news

Alleged iPhone 5S assembly line shots show new internal layout, linear motor (9to5 Mac)

"Update: These are likely an iPhone 5 clone (with better vibrating motor). Note the smaller 1150 mAh battery and the (d'oh) SD card slot."

D'oh indeed.

Apple secretly developing entire platform for wearable, attachable computing (AppleInsider)

Although the potential applications of this patent filing are intriguing to consider, the standard caveat applies: Apple often patents ideas it never brings to store shelves. And there's a pretty wide gulf between "Wouldn't it be cool if?" and "Thing that makes us money when we try to sell it."

Apple Said to Have Team Developing Wristwatch Computer - Bloomberg

Apple purportedly has a team of 100 "product designers" working on an iWatch. Small problem: haven't we heard over and over again that Apple has an extremely small product design team? There's Jonathan Ive, a handful of lieutenants, and... well, that's about it, isn't it? If Apple has 100 "product designers" working throughout the entire company, that's news to me. Maybe if you start lumping in the software teams the number starts getting higher, but in terms of hardware design we're generally given the impression that Apple has a tiny cadre of people in this area.

Shares of Television Set Maker Loewe Jump as Apple Acquisition Rumors Resurface (MacRumors)

Almost exactly the same thing happened last May. Apple didn't buy Loewe then, and it's probably not buying Loewe now, either. Check back in another nine months to see if this happens again.

Regarding iWatch, iTV, iPhone 5S, bigger and less expensive iPhones, iPad 5, and iPad mini 2 | iMore.com

Less of a rumor on its own and more of his own roundup, Rene Ritchie does a good, level-headed analysis of what we're likely to see from Apple this year -- and what's less likely.

The Fall TV Lineup May Include Apple Dominating Gaming | TechCrunch

MG Siegler speculates that Apple TV could be updated to run apps, especially games, and thereby steal Nintendo, Sony, and Microsoft's lunch money.

"We all know the current Apple TV is already running iOS (even if Apple dances around directly stating it)," Siegler says. "And we know that the Apple TV is running on the same type of hardware stack that iPhones/iPads/iPod touches run on. The thing is ready to go. All Apple has to do is flip a switch."

Personally, I would love for this to be true. I do almost all of my gaming on iOS these days; I only turn on my Wii when I weigh in on Wii Fit, and my PS3 has been doing nothing but gathering dust for nearly three months. iOS doesn't (yet) replicate the super hi-def, immersive, US$60 for a 30-hour game you can still get on a traditional console, but in my case I'm not even looking for that. Let me play The Blockheads or Canabalt on my HDTV, and I'm all set.

"News" from "analysts"

Analyst says $300 price point is sweet spot for unsubsidized iPhone mini (9to5 Mac)

Based on no evidence whatsoever.

Cheaper iPhone estimated to shrivel Apple's margins, would risk 'damaging its brand equity' (BGR)

Based on no evidence whatsoever.

Apple's iWatch and Apple TV initiatives could drive an additional $80 billion in yearly revenue (AppleInsider)

Based on no evidence whatsoever.

Full-size iPad's glory days may be over (BGR)

Based on no evidence whatsoever. Are you getting it?

Apple iWatch: People are getting excited for all the wrong reasons (BGR)

"Wristwatches are in cultural decline, victims to the very smartphones that smartwatches aim to augment." Hey, who let this guy in? The things he says make sense. Turn in your analyst badge and gun, Detective Sagawa.

Apple Planning March Special Event to Introduce Developer Tools for TV? (MacRumors)

It took just a couple hours for Jim Dalrymple of The Loop, renowned for his accuracy in such matters, to pronounce "Nope" to this rumor. Cult of Mac helpfully provides a smackdown of the woefully inaccurate history of the analyst in question.

Apple's 4.8-Inch iPhone 6 Reportedly Not Launching Until Mid-2014 (MacRumors)

The same analyst tosses some more words against a wall. Some of them stuck, apparently.

"How does this man still have a job?" Jim Dalrymple wondered last week. That's a fair question. Here's a variant: How do I get a gig like that? I assume these analysts are paid in the high five figures, minimum. That's more than I'm earning in my current job, and way more than I'd earn as a novelist.

If these guys are all getting paid to just make crap up out of thin air, then as someone with tons of experience at fiction writing, I'm officially offering my services. For the right salary, I too will join the dark side and perform my "supply chain checks" (i.e., three lunchtime vodka martinis) and issue a "note to investors" (i.e., whatever nonsense enters my head after the third martini) once or twice a week. Page views guaranteed or your money back! Everyone wins, except for Apple's shareholders!

Piper Jaffray says media event still likely by April, sees 'new iPad body styles' (AppleInsider)

""We believe that looking at the history of time between Apple product launch events suggests that the company will introduce something new in March or April," says Gene "Dude, Where's My Apple HDTV?" Munster.

Too bad you can't really count on Apple to be perennially predictable anymore. If you could, iPhone launches would still happen in summer, the iPad would only get one major update per year, and Mac updates would happen whenever the company felt like it. Wait, that last part is still true.

(*) There are four kinds of lies: Lies, damned lies, statistics, and analyst projections.

Rumor Roundup: Analyst overload originally appeared on TUAW - The Unofficial Apple Weblog on Mon, 18 Feb 2013 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

A light week for rumors brought out the usual dross with an unexpected late-week bonus: a truly ridiculous story about the long-rumored "iWatch."

OS X 10.9 Activity Ramping Up as Speculation on Developer Preview Release Increases (MacRumors)

The next version of OS X, version 10.9, keeps popping up in various sites' visitor logs. In the past, this has been a reliable indicator that the next major version of OS X will appear on the market anywhere from a year to a few months later. Other reliable indicators: the rising and setting of the sun, the passing of seasons, common sense.

Rumor: Apple's next iPad mini to pack 324ppi Retina display (AppleInsider)

Some Asian publication (not Digitimes for a change) renews claims that a Retina Display is in the mix for the next-generation iPad mini. Considering the sheer number of outlets reporting this rumor, if the next iPad mini doesn't have a Retina Display, you can fully expect at least 1000 variants of the "Apple is DOOMED" meme to appear online within hours.

'Radio Buy Buttons' found in iOS 6.1 via newly jailbroken iPads, could mean new functionality coming (9to5 Mac)

In a classic case of overanalysis, 9to5 Mac found some random graphic assets in the iPad version of iOS 6.1 and let the speculation fly rampant from there. Even assuming these buttons are the real deal, I hope Apple plans on calling them something other than "radio buttons," because that name's taken.

Apple 'leaving money on the table' by not releasing big-screen iPhone (AppleInsider)

According to some analysts, Apple is "leaving money on the table" by not releasing a giant-screened version of the iPhone to compete against the ridiculously massive "phones" Samsung has on the market.

Here's a short list of hypothetical products that Apple is also leaving money on the table by not releasing them to a ravenous market:

• Apple HDTV
• iWatch
• iCar
• iFridge
• iToaster
• Apple Space Shuttle
• 27-inch iPad
• 7-inch MacBook Air
• PowerBook G5
• Sub-$1000 Mac tower

Apple reportedly tells French reseller that a new Mac Pro is coming in the spring (9to5 Mac)

Allegedly Apple told some random French reseller that new Mac Pros were coming this spring, and the first thing that reseller did was blab to the rumor blogs. Either this reseller is making stuff up to draw more attention (and customers) to itself, or the rumor is legitimate... and Apple probably won't be too pleased with them if it is.

Of course, since we already know that Mac Pro sales in Europe have to be halted in March for regulatory reasons, and Tim Cook has already sent a Tim-o-gram noting that the Mac Pro is getting a 2013 major overhaul -- our money would be on "legitimate."

Chinese Source Claims iPhone 5S and 5-Inch iPhone 6 to Launch in 2013 (MacRumors)

Another case of the usual vague "friend of a friend" reporting from China. Nothing new to see here.

Disruptions: Apple Is Said to Be Developing a Curved-Glass Smart Watch - NYTimes.com

Despite the sensational headline and the supposedly aboveboard authority of the Times, this article doesn't really bring anything new to the table. Two people who are supposedly "familiar with the company's explorations" claim that "Apple is experimenting with wristwatch-like devices made of curved glass."

I'm sure Apple experiments with lots of things, and the patents it applies for bear that out. Whether those products will ever find their way to store shelves is another matter entirely. I still think an "iWatch" is a niche product at best and a ridiculously useless bauble at worst, but that's without ever having seen leaked prototype components, much less a working model.

Naturally, given the provenance of this rumor, the Internet ran wild with it this past week, with several sites making it sound like the iWatch is all but inevitable. You know, just like they have with the Apple HDTV and a pile of other rumorware.

Rumor Roundup: Watch this originally appeared on TUAW - The Unofficial Apple Weblog on Mon, 11 Feb 2013 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Not much happened in Apple rumors this week. In fact, probably the most interesting "rumor" this week wasn't really a rumor at all, but rather some decently level-headed analysis from Marco Arment on the possible form factor for the long-rumored "big iPhone."

But first...

New Details On Apple's Budget iPhone 5 | iLounge Backstage

"Unless something major changes between now and its release, we know pretty much what the new low-end iPhone will look like, thanks to reliable sources." That's a bold statement, and it's one I'll happily come back to when/if this product ever actually launches. In the meantime, although iLounge's claims regarding the phone's supposed design are actually pretty plausible, the fact that they're so specific about a product that's not even confirmed to exist is cause for skepticism.

Is this the back of Apple's redesigned fifth-generation iPad? (9to5 Mac)

In accordance with Betteridge's Law: No. This is supposedly a prototype piece that a Chinese iPad accessory maker somehow got ahold of, but it could just as easily be a mockup they built themselves, extrapolating from the iPad mini's design.

That's all anyone is doing anyway when it comes to the next full-size iPad; virtually everyone expects the iPad 5 (or whatever Apple winds up calling it) to look like a bigger version of the currently-shipping iPad mini. So brace yourself for the late-year onslaught of idiocy from bloggers who'll loudly proclaim that Apple is out of ideas and the ship is sinking.

Apple reportedly chops Q1 9.7-inch iPad orders in half as consumers clamor for iPad mini (BGR)

As told by "sometimes-reliable" Digitimes, which means you'll find more truth at the bottom of a bottle of gin. (Note: TUAW does not condone consuming an entire bottle of gin at one go, no matter how many of these dumb rumors you've been reading.)

Rumor: 'G/F2' touchscreen will make Apple's next 9.7" iPad thinner, lighter (AppleInsider)

Here's some more Digitimes-sourced nonsense, "which has a spotty track record but has been known to receive advance word of Apple's potential product plans from component suppliers," according to AppleInsider.

Digitimes' track record is "spotty" the same way winter in Prudhoe Bay, Alaska is "a bit nippy."

A crazier prediction: iPhone Plus is real, and huge (Marco Arment)

Marco Arment makes the case for a 4.94-inch giant iPhone, akin to the ginormous Samsung Galaxy phones that are apparently all the rage these days (according to Samsung). Here's the crazy part (contains no actual crazy): he makes a really good point.

Say what you will about this mentality, but a not-insignificant portion of the buying public is convinced "bigger is better" when it comes to buying decisions. Bigger cars, bigger boxes of cereal, bigger burgers, bigger houses, and now, paradoxically, bigger phones. The last image in Arment's post, where he compares the iPhone and the theoretical "iPhone Plus" versus two behemoth Samsung phones really drives the point home: whether it makes sense for Apple to build a bigger iPhone or not, there's a market for it. People would buy it. Maybe a lot of people.

Rumor Roundup: Bigger is better originally appeared on TUAW - The Unofficial Apple Weblog on Mon, 04 Feb 2013 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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?

Rumor Roundup: Having it both ways originally appeared on TUAW - The Unofficial Apple Weblog on Mon, 28 Jan 2013 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

This past week was light on rumors but still managed to pack in plenty worth picking apart. A last-minute entry, the supposed "iPhone math" is a particularly good knee-slapper rumor. It's got everything: sketchy Asian source, potential mistranslation, and every last ounce of logic checked at the door. Actually... that's about average for Apple rumors.

Home button fingerprint sensor in 'iPhone 5S' would give Apple a new leg up on the competition (AppleInsider)

Some analyst thinks Apple will integrate a fingerprint sensor into the next-gen iPhone's Home button. He doesn't have any actual proof, mind you -- not even the always accurate "checks with supply chain sources" -- so he could have said the next iPhone will use powdered unicorn horn for its antenna assembly and had about as much credibility.

Apple's next 9.7" iPad to be 'significantly lighter and slimmer' (AppleInsider)

Hey, look! It's the same analyst, with the same source: thin air and his imagination.

Apple's iPhone business may have already peaked (BGR)

Two analysts are a week late to the party, predicting DOOM for Apple's iPhone business. Guys, that's last week's news. This week, Apple's doomed for an entirely different reason. Get with the times.

Reuters claims Sharp has all but stopped producing iPad Retina displays (9to5 Mac)

Oh no! One of the three suppliers for the full-sized iPad's display has "nearly halted production!" The other two suppliers haven't seen any significant cuts, but don't let that stop us (where "us" means Reuters) from speculating that the iPad mini is cannibalizing sales of the full-sized iPad so much that Apple literally doesn't need to make it anymore...

Apple users have been accused of cult-like behavior for decades, but this constant doomsaying from the media seems far more cultish to me. "Look, man, I read the signs, and when the moon is in the seventh house, the sky will be as black as sackcloth, and no one will buy iPhones anymore, and Apple will fall."

4.8-inch iPhone 'Math' reports don't add up (9to5 Mac)

This rumor is such a train wreck that 9to5 Mac took the time to pick it to shreds instead of swallowing it whole and reporting it without reservation. Good on them. I don't have much to add aside from what they've written on the subject of a 4.8-inch iPhone "math" except this: if even for a moment you thought it plausible that Apple would release a product called the iPhone math, please seek medical assistance immediately. A subdural hematoma is nothing to trifle with.

Rumor Roundup: Bad at math originally appeared on TUAW - The Unofficial Apple Weblog on Mon, 21 Jan 2013 07:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

The "Apple will make a low-cost iPhone" rumor is turning into one of the leading tech industry memes of 2013. Just like the "Apple will make an HDTV" and "Apple will introduce a streaming music service" rumors, the "low-cost iPhone" rumor isn't exactly new; there have been rumors of an "iPhone nano" for close to five years now.

The question no one seems to be asking is this: does it even make good sense for Apple to make a low-cost iPhone? Fellow TUAW writer Richard Gaywood and I batted that question around; our point/counterpoint follows.

Chris Rawson: The low-cost iPhone is the only way to save Apple. Otherwise, it's DOOMED. I know this because more than one analyst said so. This is the dumbest rumor so far this year, and that's saying something. There's already a low-cost iPhone; it's called the iPhone 4. In the next product cycle, it'll be the iPhone 4S. Duh.

Richard Gaywood: Hmmm. While it's certainly true that the iPhone 4 is free on contract, in the rest of the world pre-pay is far more common than it is in the US. Here in the UK, for example, I enjoy a choice of at least five mobile operators in the UK that offer competitive pre-pay iPhone tariffs. Pre-pay is more than 80% of the entire Italian mobile market, and it's typically 25-50% in most European markets. And so on, and so forth.

So let's consider Apple's pre-pay offering. A contract-free 8 GB iPhone 4 is £319 -- far more expensive than a Nexus 4 (£239 from Google, admittedly with vexing supply issues that are, remarkably, worse than trying to get an new iPhone in the first week after launch). The Nexus 4, of course, is probably more fairly compared to the iPhone 5 than the ageing iPhone 4; Apple's most advanced handset costs £529 for a 16 GB model. The Nexus's lack of LTE is less of an issue here in Europe, where LTE coverage is lagging behind the aggressive rollouts in US cities. (For another comparison point, the best-of-breed Samsung Galaxy S3 is showing on Amazon right now for around £399.)

This "the iPhone is already free, can't get any cheaper" meme is US-centric nonsense. Consider this graph posted on Twitter by telco analyst Benedict Evans, which breaks down handset sales by OS and price point. Android owns the $100-200 and the $200-300 brackets, markets that Apple simply doesn't compete in. That's Apple's economic motivation for a cheaper iPhone.

Now, often, people say Apple doesn't want this cheaper end of the market -- although I'm not sure I'd characterise that $200-300 bracket as particularly cheap, myself. That's not necessarily the wrong call. But right now, it is conceding huge numbers of sales to Android. And didn't Jobs once say something about a mistake when Apple went for profit and should have gone for market share...?

Indeed, Tim Cook said at the iPhone 4S launch that "The iPhone has 5% share of the worldwide market of handsets. I could have shown the bigger smartphone numbers. But we believe over time all handsets become smartphones." Cook chose to couch market share in terms of all phones, not just the thin sliver of the market -- "smartphones above $300" -- where Apple competes today.

CR: As someone living in New Zealand and shelling out over a thousand bucks for an off-contract iPhone every other year, I'll agree with you wholeheartedly on that "free iPhone 4" thing being US-centric bullhonkey. As for whether it makes sense for Apple to address the pre-paid market at all, much less at the low handset retail numbers people are wildly throwing around? Let's pretend it's Opposites Day. Of course, it makes perfect sense that Apple will produce a cut-rate iPhone just to beef up its market share numbers. If there's one thing Apple's famous for, it's producing cheap, crippled crap in the name of increasing market share.

RG: Because the iPad nano and Shuffle were such disasters?

To use with my iPhone 5, I have a pay-monthly contract (i.e. I can leave any time I want, with no lock-in, but I don't have to faff with top-ups; it's billed from my account). I pay £25/mo, and that's relatively expensive. I get 2000 minutes for outgoing mobile and landline calls, 5000 minutes for outgoing calls to other users of my network, and 5000 SMSs. Plus unlimited -- truly unlimited -- data. I've wracked up 10 GB in a month before now (mostly Netflix streaming in hotel rooms).

But of course, my off-net iPhone 5 that I needed for that cost more than twice as much as a Nexus 4 would have... Hence the entirely reasonable conclusion that the iPhone is expensive. The Nexus 4 is a very close match, in most of the ways I care about, for the iPhone 5. And there are plenty of other high spec Android handsets around that cost more than the Nexus but a lot less than the iPhone, too.

Then there's the other bit. Look at the graph I posted earlier. Look at the Nokia Feature and Samsung Feature lines; the hundreds of millions of sales in the developing world. Over time, many of these people are going to naturally migrate to smartphones, but they are going to do it without paying very much more. At the moment, Android is getting cheaper and cheaper, and gobbling up more and more of the market. Apple have frozen themselves out. Is that wise? I don't know, but I don't think it's an open-and-shut case that it is the right decision.

CR: All these arguments for why Apple "must" introduce a low-cost iPhone strike me as very similar to the pre-iPad discussions for why Apple simply had to build and ship a netbook. And yet I read an article the other day (can't find the link, rare moment of Google Fu letting me down) that said low-cost netbooks have likely caused a market crash in the average sale price (ASP) of Windows-based PCs-possibly permanently.

ASP for PCs is down near US$450, according to that article. ASP for Macs is around $1499. It doesn't take a math genius to notice the disparity.

Android handsets are gobbling up market share, true... and yet the only Android handset maker who's turning an appreciable profit is Samsung. And while I don't have the figures in front of me, I'd be willing to bet its most profitable phones aren't the cheap crap flooding the prepaid market, but the flagship lines that it advertises so heavily.

People see how much money Apple makes and how many devices it sells, and they assume it's a standard consumer electronics company. It's not. It's still very much a luxury brand, and if they drift away from that they do so at their own peril. If they sell a $200 pre-paid iPhone, that creates the illusion that a smartphone "should" only cost $200, the same way netbooks created the illusion that a PC "should" only cost a few hundred bucks. And then boom, crash, there goes the neighbourhood, and Apple's profits along with it.

RG: I'm not arguing that Apple "must" make a cheaper iPhone; that way lies madness. I'm making the case that perhaps it would behoove Apple to do so, nothing more; and I am doing so because the main reason for it to do so is being disregarded by a lot of American bloggers due to an artefact of how the US cellular market works.

There's a stronger case in favour of Apple doing this than many people are seeing. Doesn't mean Apple will. Doesn't mean Apple should.

Look at it this way. As the aforementioned Benedict Evans explains here, Apple will soon approach -- if it hasn't already -- saturation in the premium smartphone market. It's already selling a bit more than 50% of all the phones in the small sliver of the market it completes in. Which is more likely: that Apple will choose to push into new market segments, or that Apple will just rest on its laurels and accept stagnation?

And whilst I accept your arguments that Apple would be unwise to destroy its margins in the name of market share, the iPod market is clearly a demonstration that it can manage both. Profit margins on all the various iPods are certainly healthy, and yet Apple has managed to own practically the entire market of portable music players. That's not an easy trick to pull off, certainly -- it helps that Apple almost created the market, whereas smartphones are subject to far more intense competition -- but still, it shows there's hope that Apple could both have its market share cake and eat its tortuously constructed metaphor for profit.

Also (he adds, cheekily), isn't this an action reply of your arguments against the iPad mini?

CR: The iPod comparison is an interesting one, particularly in light of the fact that the iPod touch is Apple's best-selling iPod... accounting for more than half of all sales, by itself. I'd wager the iPod shuffle is pretty insignificant overall, which just leaves the iPod nano. So how does Apple make an iPhone nano? Do they put out a plastic thingy with a non-Retina screen? Well, they already had one of those for a few years -- the iPhone 3GS -- and they discontinued it. Not much enthusiasm apparent there.

So (and this may be the margaritas I had with dinner talking), how about a smaller iPhone, with a smaller screen, that just runs Apple's core applications and nothing from the App Store? That solves the problem of not wanting to force developers to target yet another screen size, but even though that's all we had to go on for that first year the iPhone was out, can you even imagine using an iPhone that couldn't run third-party apps? I certainly couldn't. And imagine the derision from the Android camp if Apple did that.

The only thing I can see making sense is if Apple does something similar to what it did with the iPad mini: make a product that costs (slightly) less without also making it suck. In retrospect it was kind of obvious how to do that with the iPad mini; it's less obvious how to do that with the iPhone.

My arguments against the iPad mini were made in the light of people predicting it would have an entry cost of $199 and seeing how craptastic competing tablets in that size/price range are. Since its entry cost is $329 instead and it's arguably superior to the full-size iPad in some ways, it alleviates pretty much all of the problems I saw with it undercutting Apple's profits and "commoditising" the iPad.

With Bloomberg and others saying this "low cost iPhone" will cost $99 or $149 (ridiculous), the same argument does indeed apply. If Apple instead introduces a "low cost" device in the neighbourhood of $249-299 for the base level handset, and it does the same thing it did with the iPad mini -- in other words, it doesn't compromise on build quality or performance in the name of hitting a price point -- then fine, it starts to make slightly more sense for them to go ahead and build/sell it.

The iPhone is already Apple's biggest moneymaker by far, though. I don't really see the need to mess with success. Meanwhile, Schiller has openly denied this "cheap iPhone" rumor... unless he hasn't. Reuters is making me dizzy.

Hey, here's a crazy thought: What if the "low-cost iPhone" is really just a souped-up iPod touch with data-only 3G? Call it the "iPad nano" or something.

RG: Well, I think the idea of an iPod touch with 3G is silly, which we touched on in a previous debate. The point I was making all along is that "there's a stronger case for Apple to do a cheaper iPhone than many people are giving credit to." That's divorced from the idea that Apple should chase that market (the best rebuttal being "this is the cheap end of the market that Apple doesn't want anyway"), so I think my points still stand.

CR: Agreed, and honestly, if Apple can find a way to make the iPhone less expensive without also making it terrible, I'll be first in line. I know I'm tired of shelling out NZ$1349 every couple of years when I want to buy a handset off-contract.

What's your take? Is Apple about to throw a cheaper iPhone out there? Let us know in the comments.

Point-Counterpoint: The 'cheap iPhone' originally appeared on TUAW - The Unofficial Apple Weblog on Wed, 16 Jan 2013 10:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

This week was a particularly ridiculous one as far as Apple rumors go. The big "news" this week? Apple is launching a cheaper iPhone! Except that it maybe/probably isn't. Also, Apple's manufacturing orders for the iPhone are shrinking! DOOM! Except that maybe/probably isn't what happened at all... and there may be highly nefarious motives behind people making such claims.

Smooth sailing is over for Apple (BGR)

Some analyst is full of doom and gloom about Apple's future prospects. He's skeptical that Apple's single-device, high-margin approach to the smartphone market is the right answer, and he holds up Samsung as an example of a company supposedly doing it right.

This guy is a perfect example of the "what planet are you living on?" breed of analyst. Supposedly high market share is all that matters, and profits mean nothing. The fact that Apple earns more revenue and profits than Samsung while holding a smaller percentage of the overall market share for smartphones is supposedly cause for alarm, for some reason never adequately (nor logically) explained.

It's almost like the only job requirement for analysts is, "minimum five severe concussions over the past six months."

New 'higher-end' iPhone reportedly launching by June, low-end model could be coming as well (BGR)

Some analyst says the next iPhone will launch in June. Well, stop the presses. "We believe Apple could launch a higher-end iPhone model by the June quarter versus its more typical September/October timing for a new iPhone launch," he says. You believe? Cool story, bro. I believe that I'll win the lottery and become an overnight millionaire sometime within the next twelve months. Does that make me an analyst, too?

Apple's next iPhone to reportedly feature larger screen and 'brand new exterior design' (BGR)

This story is sourced from Digitimes and therefore has zero credibility. Moving on.

Apple Working On a Less-Expensive iPhone - WSJ.com

Oh, juicy! It's in the Wall Street Journal, so you just know it has to be true!

Apple Said to Develop Cheaper IPhone Model for Late 2013 - Bloomberg

Now Bloomberg is saying the same thing? BREAKING EXCLUSIVE: CONFIRMED: Apple will launch cheaper iPhone in 2013 (developing)

Gene Munster thinks a cheap iPhone could sell like crazy, and he backs that up with a bunch of made-up numbers. I don't know how he does it! But I'm guessing it involves tequila.

New cheaper iPhone called 'absolutely awful news' for Apple (BGR)

A different analyst took the opposite stance from Munster and said a cheap iPhone doesn't make sense, would likely hurt Apple's financial bottom line, and the whole idea is probably built on flimsy and stupid rumors. Folks, this is a Rumor Roundup first: for the first time ever, I find myself in total agreement with an analyst. I know, I'm scared too.

Apple Marketing SVP Phil Schiller seems to deny talk of cheap iPhone (9to5 Mac)

Apple's own Phil Schiller (allegedly) said what the level-headed among us knew all along: Apple doesn't give a damn about market share. It cares about making the best products that people will enjoy using, and it cares about making money off of those products. It's that simple.

Yes, Apple could make a cheaper iPhone and go for a market share grab, thus overturning the company's entire history of making high-end, high-margin products. But Daring Fireball's John Gruber makes the same point I'd make: Apple won't make a cheap piece of crap just so it can sell ten terrible products when it could sell three great ones instead.

Look no farther than the iPad mini, a product that made no sense to me at all when analysts and rumormongers were claiming it'd be a cut-rate $200 device designed with only market share in mind. Instead, it turned out to be a device with a $329 entry point and, with the exception of its display, a design that's arguably superior to the full-size iPad.

It doesn't take a genius to think a cheap iPhone might go the same route, which makes the WSJ and Bloomberg's claims look incredibly goofy.

Reuters: Cheaper iPhone story withdrawn after 'substantial changes' to China report (AppleInsider)

Speaking of incredibly goofy, apparently the original story citing Phil Schiller got changed after the fact, and no one is really clear how or why. All that means is we can look forward to three more months of winter stupid cheap iPhone rumors.

2013 smart TVs dismissed as 'not that smart,' leaving opportunity for Apple (AppleInsider)

Some analyst (correctly) says current smart TVs aren't all that great, and he thinks the only way the devices will really come into their own is if Apple steps up to the plate. Whether or not it's in Apple's best interests to do so is an exercise left to the reader. (Hint: hahaha, no.)

Rumor: Fifth-gen iPad, second-gen iPad mini to debut in March (AppleInsider)

Some analyst thinks the next-gen iPads are launching a month and a half from now. His proof? "Checks with industry sources at CES." Yeah, about that... if my Twitter feed last week was any indication, half the people at CES were drunk, and the other half had influenza. Probably not the best sources.

Demand for cheaper iPhones may have hurt Apple's holiday quarter (BGR)

When does an iPhone sell too well? When some analyst says so. Apparently Apple sold so many iPhone 4 units last quarter that the two-year-old handset supposedly hurt sales of the new iPhone 5. This is a strange claim to make weeks before Apple releases its actual sales numbers, but as we'll see, this analyst isn't the only one making numbers up out of thin air.

Apple Cuts Orders for iPhone Parts - WSJ.com

Here it is, the article that launched 1000 posts this week. Supposedly, according to the Journal, "Apple's orders for iPhone 5 screens for the January-March quarter, for example, have dropped to roughly half of what the company had previously planned to order." That's the kind of news that you might expect to send Apple's stock into a downward spiral. And, predictably, it did. But what's really going on here?

The strange math of Apple's alleged massive iPhone 5 order cuts (BGR)

"In what world did Apple expect to order components for 65 million iPhone 5 handsets in the seasonally soft March quarter?" BGR asks. Valid question. A question just as good: how do I suddenly, and for the first time ever, find myself nodding in agreement with BGR?

Apple's earnings per share could decline for first time in almost a decade (BGR)

Some analyst joins the fray and says "DOOM, DOOOOOM" in an attempt to look as silly as possible hours after Apple releases its quarterly earnings statement.

iPhone 5 order cuts dismissed as 'not news,' simply 'noise' (AppleInsider)

Okay, what's going on here? Where are all these intelligent, rational analysts coming from, and why don't they write about Apple more often?

iPhone 5 demand 'robust,' order cuts likely stem from improved yields & supplier shifts (AppleInsider)

Another analyst adds to the chorus of people disagreeing with the WSJ's reports of doom and destruction for Apple's iPhone 5 sales.

iPhone 5 order cuts reportedly not as severe as claimed (BGR)

And another.

What is this all adding up to? That's a very good question, and it's one that many bloggers have tried to answer over the past few days. Once again I find myself agreeing with John Gruber; over the past few days he's linked to and commented on multiple pieces pointing to the possibility that the rumors of Apple's demise were greatly exaggerated, and with deliberate purpose: to drive the stock price lower immediately before Apple announces its earnings, almost undoubtedly driving the stock price back up.

It's an age-old game. Buy low, sell high. It's the basis of getting rich off Wall Street stocks. So it stands to reason that if you can find a way to drive AAPL down below $500 when speculation points to the stock being worth 1.5 to 2 times that much, and you can find a way to do that without getting caught, you stand to reap huge financial rewards.

Hence, "people familiar with the matter" making grandiose claims about tanking sales for the iPhone 5, Apple's biggest moneymaker, right before Apple announces its quarterly earnings.

I'm not saying that is what's happening here (end legal disclaimer), but if it walks like a duck...

Apple to begin preliminary 'iPhone 5S' builds in March for June/July launch - report (AppleInsider)

What AppleInsider calls a "report" I instead call "random daydreaming from some analyst."

Seriously, can anyone give me a rational explanation for why so many blogs parrot analysts' "notes to investors" as if they're actual news?

Report: 2013 budget iPhone to sport plastic shell, perhaps metal internal parts (9to5 Mac)

Another blog plays fast and loose with the word "report" by citing Digitimes as if it's a reputable source.

Apple's 2013 Product Roadmap Predictions: Multiple iPhones, Retina iPad Mini, All-Retina MacBook Pros (MacRumors)

Some analyst went the extra mile and predicted Apple's product roadmap for the entire year. Normally I'd be disposed to make fun of anyone so obviously overambitious... but A) this particular analyst has been right before, and B) his predictions actually sound entirely reasonable for the most part. Not a single Apple HDTV, smart watch, or toaster/fridge to be found. It's eerie.

This past week of rumors was indeed pretty crazy. I don't know what's weirder: that the Wall Street Journal is starting to sound more and more like Digitimes, or that analysts are finally starting to say things about Apple that make rational sense. I feel like I've fallen down the rabbit hole.

Rumor Roundup: The incredible shrinking iPhone originally appeared on TUAW - The Unofficial Apple Weblog on Wed, 16 Jan 2013 09:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

This past week was relatively light on rumors, and as usual those rumors were light on evidence... but when has that ever stopped anyone from pontificating about Apple?

No HDTV from Apple in 2013, according to new report (BGR)

Some analyst is now saying the Apple HDTV won't launch in 2013. This calls for a no-holds-barred cage match between him and Gene Munster in Madison Square Garden. Winner take all, where "all" is a Google TV with an Apple sticker slapped on the back.

Rumor: Apple evaluating new 'touch-on display' tech for next iPhone (AppleInsider)

Apple is said to be investigating new display technology that could replace the current "in-cell" display tech in the iPhone 5. "In cell" touch sensors have caused some minor input difficulties in some use cases, so there's a sense of plausibility to this report. The fact that this "report out of China" isn't sourced from Digitimes lends it even more credibility.

Corning's third-gen Gorilla Glass could be bound for next iPhone, iPad (AppleInsider)

Corning has only stated that third-gen Gorilla Glass exists; details on pricing and availability are yet to be revealed. That hasn't stopped people from speculating the material will find its way into next-gen Apple products. If any of the rumors pointing to an early spring launch of the next iPhone and iPad are true, that doesn't seem likely.

Apple's Pandora-like iRadio Service to Launch in 2013? (MacRumors)

Some analyst says Apple will finally launch a music streaming service this year, as foretold in years worth of rumors. As proof, he says that -- haha, just kidding. This "report" came from an analyst. He doesn't have any proof. Just like the rest of these so-called analysts, he's the 21st century equivalent of some transient standing on a Brooklyn street corner ranting and raving about the Apocalypse. Put a three-piece suit on that guy and have him rant and rave about Apple instead, and somehow it becomes newsworthy.

That Apple/Waze Deal Hits A Roadblock - That Roadblock Being Reality (Not Happening) | TechCrunch

Remember last week, when I said not to get too excited about those rumors that Apple was going to buy Waze? Those were good times. Oh, how we laughed.

Could Disney be working with Apple on a new Gaming Console Called Toy Box?

According to Betteridge's Law of Headlines, any headline that asks a yes/no question can invariably be answered with a no. In fact, Patently Apple gives us the "no" answer to its own headline, though you have to get pretty deep into the text to find it:

"While it's true that Apple's late CEO Steve Jobs was Disney's largest shareholder after his sale of Pixar and that Apple has hinted in a number of patents that they may expand their push into video gaming, there's still no definitive proof as of yet to connect Apple to this project."

Well, there you go then. I don't know about you, but my parents raised me to believe "no definitive proof" equals "not gonna happen."

Rumor Roundup: Light on evidence originally appeared on TUAW - The Unofficial Apple Weblog on Mon, 07 Jan 2013 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

"My 2013 New Year's resolutions: Stop taking analysts' nonsense seriously, stop sourcing from Digitimes and do some basic fact-checking and/or engage common sense prior to publication." --None of the Apple rumor blogs

2013 is off to a blazing start, with all kinds of juicy, poorly-sourced and ultimately dumb rumors to deconstruct.

Apple reportedly moving Mac mini production to US with Foxconn (9to5 Mac)

"Digitimes has shed more light on" are the opening words of this post. Let's just stop right there. Digitimes never sheds light on anything except tech blogs' inability (or unwillingness) to consider the credibility or validity of their sources. For example, when I consider the source of this story and its infamously poor track record, I find it slightly more likely that Apple will move Mac mini production to Antarctica.

Apple reportedly continuing talks with Sharp over IGZO display panels for iOS devices (9to5 Mac)

"Digitimes reports that" -- same story here. Poorly sourced rumor, zero proof. This isn't even the first time this claim has been made; the past few iOS devices were supposedly going to feature this type of display panel, if "sources" like Digitimes are to be believed (hint: they're not).

MacBook Air, MacBook Pro refreshes expected June 2013 with same designs, new processors (9to5 Mac)

"Digitimes expects Apple to unveil" blah blah, yadda yadda. I'm pretty sure (thanks to "people familiar with the matter") that Digitimes cobbles together its stories by letting a cocker spaniel loose in a room full of colored scraps of paper with random tech buzzwords and dates scribbled on them. Whichever papers the dog eventually soils are gathered and presented to the tech community -- and, sadly, almost always accepted as gospel.

Apple A6 X processor production reportedly goes from Samsung to TSMC, trial set to begin this quarter (9to5 Mac)

For a change of pace, here's a story not sourced from Digitimes, which lends it an air of credibility. Apple has been rumored to be moving away from Samsung for processor production for quite some time, and considering the bitter rivalry between the two companies, it makes perfect strategic sense.

Apple and Intel Working on Bluetooth Smart Watch for 2013 Launch? (MacRumors)

Man, this one exploded all over the internet this past week. It's as though the collective common sense of the Apple blogging community suddenly went on vacation to Patagonia. Rumors of an Apple-branded "smart watch" began almost the instant the invitingly wearable sixth-generation iPod nano debuted in September 2010. "You could totally wear that as a watch!" people mused, and the illogical leap to "Apple might be building a watch!" wasn't far behind.

Two years later, there's no credible evidence that Apple is building a smart watch. Two things decidedly point in the other direction, in fact. First, Apple abandoned the wearable form factor for the iPod nano's 2012 redesign. Second, nobody freaking wears watches anymore. A "smart watch" is seriously the dumbest idea ever, and if Apple made this product tech blogs would be climbing over one another to shout about how Apple is DOOMED because it's focused on obsolete technology. "What's next," someone like Dan Lyons might say, "an Apple-branded buggy whip?"

"Hey, you numbskull, I might actually buy and use a smart watch," you're already furiously typing in the comments below. Congratulations. You're the 1 percent. No one else cares.

Developers begin seeing new Apple iPhone hardware and iOS 7 in usage logs - The Next Web

"BREAKSCLUSIVE: Apple developing and testing new products, software." As my colleague Richard Gaywood points out, you need only play Opposites Day with this story to see how completely meaningless it is.

Apple-built wearable computers seen as long-term replacement for iPhone (AppleInsider)

Gene "The Apple HDTV is coming out this year for sure" Munster thinks Apple's future lies in "wearable computing" -- things like the mythical Apple-branded "smart watch" or something similar to Google Glasses.

Just as a fun exercise, look at the hypothetical smart watch in the picture associated with that AppleInsider article and ask yourself what problem, if any, the device solves. "I can see my messages on it!" you may say. Yes... and then you have to get your iPhone out of your pocket to reply to them. "I can control some of my phone's functions with it!" You can do the same thing with the remote controls built into the headphones. "Um... I can tell time on it?" Well, you got me there.

'iPhone 5S' to reportedly launch by June with multiple color options and two different display sizes (BGR)

Some analyst thinks the next iPhone will come in multiple colors and have two different display sizes. He doesn't offer any proof other than a vague allusion to "supplier checks," and at least half of his assertions make no sense at all -- why in seven hells would Apple launch an iPhone 5S with two different display sizes? "Market share expansion" is apparently the answer to this question according to the analyst, with the smaller-screened phone offered as a lower-cost option.

You analysts are seriously going to beat on this "low-cost iPhone" drum all year long, aren't you? And somehow, you're going to keep getting paid for that. The mind reels.

Apple Teams Up With Broadcom For 802.11ac Enabled Macs (TheNextWeb)

This sounds credible at first glance, but keep in mind this is coming from the same site that was "almost certain" the iPhone 5 and next-gen iPad would have fingerprint reading tech. Time will tell if the "sources familiar with Apple's plans" actually are familiar with those plans at all.

Any time a story like this comes out, where Apple is rumored to buy "Company X you may actually have heard of," it's essential to keep one's excitement in check and take a "wait and see" approach. Apple was rumored to be in talks to buy Twitter so many times that it became almost a monthly ritual for awhile. Aaaaand... Apple never bought Twitter, and probably never will.

Whether or not it makes sense for Apple to acquire Waze for its crowdsourced mapping data, I'll believe it when I see it.

Rumor Roundup: Resolutions are made to be broken originally appeared on TUAW - The Unofficial Apple Weblog on Thu, 03 Jan 2013 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Just because the holiday season is upon us, that doesn't mean people have stopped idly speculating about non-existent Apple products or ruminating on the company's impending downfall. Far from it! In fact, if you take the pundits seriously (but seriously... don't do that), the Apple HDTV is definitely coming out in 2013. And if it doesn't, Apple is definitely doomed. Somehow.

All I Want for Christmas Is My Apple TV -- Jeremy Allaire -- Voices -- AllThingsD

Brightcove's CEO went on a lengthy speculative bent about what the Apple HDTV might be, what it might look like and how it could save the world from the depredations of SPECTRE Comcast. There's just one problem: The guy is totally making stuff up. He has no proof for anything he's said, especially this knee-slapper: "There's every reason to expect the new product to launch in 2013." Just like there was in 2012, 2011, and 2010.

I could say the Apple HDTV will have a built-in beer dispenser and be as accurate as this guy.

Apple predicted to build cheaper 'iPhone for the masses' (AppleInsider)

Gene Munster took time off from his perennial ravings on the Apple HDTV and instead directed his attention to another nonsensical chestnut: the el-cheapo "iPhone for everyone." Once again, I find it incredible these people are actually paid to write this stuff; Apple doesn't sell cheap crap just to expand its market share. Tim Cook has blatantly said so, multiple times, as did Steve Jobs before him. Apple does not care about market share. It cares about high profit margins and customer experience, in roughly that order. Period.

Android growth prior to iPhone 5 launch further established market dominance (AppleInsider)

Here's another analyst blinded by market share to the expense of every other number that matters, such as revenues, profits and a company's cash on hand. No, Android is "winning" because more people are buying Android-based handsets than iPhones. This is a very old argument -- one that's been done to death and is one of the most epic clichés in all of tech right now -- and it never stops being funny.

Apple in Talks With Foursquare About Data-Sharing Deal (Wall Street Journal)

Apple may be getting ready to make a deal with Foursquare to incorporate crowdsourced data into its Maps app. Unlike the majority of Apple rumors, this one actually makes logical sense; it would certainly be a swift means of improving data in Apple Maps. I think we can all agree that's something that needs to happen as quickly as possible.

'Project Azalea' - A TSMC Chip Factory Dedicated to Building Processors for iDevices? (MacRumors)

Taiwanese chipmaker TSMC has long been rumored to supplant Samsung as the major provider for Apple's A-series "system on a chip" for iOS devices, and further rumors now suggest the company may be considering building a factory in either New York or Oregon. Samsung, who currently supplies A4, A5 and A6 chips for Apple, supplies many (if not most) of those from a factory in Texas.

Rumor: Apple moving up next-gen iPad mini production, release date still unknown (AppleInsider)

Some analyst, citing "Asian supply chain sources," claims the next-gen iPad mini will launch earlier than expected. Sounds legit! Except for the part where he "notes the information is of little use as no rumors have surfaced pertaining to the next-gen mini's release." Well, that's... a relief? I guess that's one word for it.

Report: Hon Hai source says 46 to 55-inch Apple TV set in testing, no panel supplier confirmed, 2013 launch unlikely (9to5 Mac)

The meat of this story is pretty much all there in the headline. It manages to bolster some rumors (Apple testing HDTV prototypes) while slamming others (panel suppliers already selected, launch imminent). The lesson here? Until we start seeing actual leaked parts, don't buy the HDTV hype.

Without an 'iTV,' Apple's growth could shrink to the single digits by 2015 (BGR)

Some analyst says that unless Apple introduces a low-cost iPhone or HDTV, it's pretty much doomed. This raises a serious question: with so many analysts all saying the same stupid thing at once, is it possible something got into their food supply? Something... sinister? Get Langley on the line, we need a field agent to investigate this immediately.

Google/Motorola Developing Flagship Phone to Compete with Apple and Samsung (MacRumors)

Nexus phones have been such a huge success so far that Google is reportedly going the same route that Microsoft has with its Surface tablet -- another doorbuster product -- and preparing to launch yet another in-house developed smartphone likely to compete with its own partners far more than it will with Apple's devices.

Well... good luck, Google.

Rumor: Fifth-gen iPad to debut in March with iPad mini design cues (AppleInsider)

"Hit-or-miss" blog Mac Otakara claims a thinner, lighter full-size iPad is due in March according to "people familiar with the matter." Mac Otakara does occasionally get its rumors right -- far more often than DigiTimes does at any rate -- so it'll be interesting to see if this one pans out. If it does, stay tuned for the epic nerd rage from all the people who bought fourth-gen iPads.

Rumor Roundup: Silly season originally appeared on TUAW - The Unofficial Apple Weblog on Thu, 27 Dec 2012 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

In the absence of much real news to report on this week, the rumor blogs did what they do best in times of drought: they took so-called "analysts" way too seriously. I've always thought of "analysts" as the tech world's equivalent of astrologers -- they generally keep things vague enough to make it difficult to call them out for being wrong right away, and when they are wrong (which they nearly always are), almost no one calls them on it. Yet just like astrologers, for some reason these people continue to get space right next to actual news items. It's baffling.

Analyst thinks 'iPhone 5S' due in June with better camera, NFC, multiple color options (9to5 Mac)

This is a perfect example of what I'm talking about. Some guy said the next iPhone will come out in June, with multiple colors and other features. His proof? Trick question, because he doesn't have any. So why was it worth reporting on what this guy said at all? Is he an expert on Apple's supply chain? A former Apple executive with decent insight into the company's inner workings? Nope, he's just some guy. He knows as much about the next iPhone as you do: virtually nothing.

Analyst: Apple could purchase partner TomTom to accelerate improvements to Maps app (9to5 Mac)

Apple might buy navigation company TomTom... according to some analyst who offers no concrete proof of this claim whatsoever. Yet again we have some guy sitting around daydreaming about what Apple might do without offering a bit of evidence, and because he works for some kind of financial firm, that somehow algebraically renders his musings as newsworthy.

47% of consumers interested in Apple television, willing to pay 20% premium (AppleInsider)

This is one step farther removed from anything resembling real news because it's a consumer survey that a bunch of analysts ran. Absolutely the only tale the survey's numbers tell is consumers supposedly have pent-up interest in an Apple-branded TV set. It says nothing at all about whether or not Apple will actually build such a device, rendering the whole exercise pretty much moot.

Where is Apple's 'next big thing'? (BGR)

Another analyst says that Apple needs to launch its next big thing in 2013 in order to turn its dwindling stock price around, and that "next big thing" must inevitably be an HDTV.

Keep in mind that in spite of its sliding stock price, Apple is still one of the most profitable companies on Earth right now. Also keep in mind that HDTVs have never been particularly profitable devices. Also keep in mind that intelligent people who still have a grip on their rationality, such as former Apple executive Jean-Louis Gassée, think there's no chance Apple will make a traditional HDTV set.

Once you have all those things in mind, it starts to become really unclear why this analyst's ravings were worth taking seriously.

Hey, speaking of "sources" that aren't worth taking seriously...

Digitimes claims next iPad mini to have higher-res display, next 9.7-inch iPad to be lighter (9to5 Mac)

9to5 Mac does us all a huge favor here. By citing Digitimes as the source in the headline itself, it makes it completely unnecessary to read the story that follows.

Even if the stars somehow align and Digitimes manages to get this one right, they're not really saying anything original here; virtually everyone expects (demands?) the iPad mini's display will go Retina quality eventually, and the same goes for the iPad grande's supposed weight loss regimen.

The biggest Apple-related rumor this week came from the Wall Street Journal, which claimed that those always-reliable "sources in the Asian supply chain" told it Apple has been testing designs for an HDTV. The story itself isn't quite as interesting as the way various blogs reacted to it.

WSJ: Apple testing 'several' HDTV designs with Asian manufacturers (AppleInsider)

Straightforward re-write of the WSJ story.

WSJ: Apple testing several TV set designs with component suppliers, not considered a 'formal project yet' (9to5 Mac)

Pretty much the same, just a shorter summary.

WSJ reports Apple has tested TV designs -- don't get too excited (Engadget)

Brief report with a bit of analysis on why TV continues to be a tough nut for Apple (or anyone) to crack.

Designs reportedly in the works for Apple-created TV, but in "early stages" (Ars Technica)

Short synopsis of the WSJ story, followed by a big, welcome bucket of cold water thrown on the idea that any of this means Apple-branded HDTVs showing up on store shelves any time soon.

Apple Testing Television Set Prototypes, 'Isn't a Formal Project Yet' (Mac Rumors)

Another short summary, with more cold water on the idea that an Apple HDTV launch is imminent.

WSJ: Apple is developing a TV (BGR)

Breathless shouting from the rooftops: APPLE IS BUILDING AN HDTV!!!*

(*where "building" means "engineering prototypes, and maybe not even that")

Rumor Roundup: Taking analysts way too seriously originally appeared on TUAW - The Unofficial Apple Weblog on Mon, 17 Dec 2012 08:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Last week was pretty dead as far as rumors so, and this one was only marginally better. For the most part rumors focused on furious speculation regarding what Tim Cook could have meant when, in a recent interview, he called TV "an area of intense interest." That naturally led more credulous bloggers to speculate that the long-awaited Apple HDTV is just over the horizon (as it has been for several years now), but that's not to say it's the only harebrained subject the rumor blogs hit this week.

Apple predictions for 2013: Entry-level iPhone, Apple HDTV and a MacBook Air with iOS (BGR)

Some analyst came out with three "predictions" that would almost be hilarious if they weren't predictions that literally dozens of other analysts have been making for years. First, a low-cost iPhone designed to address the mass market of... um... people who aren't already buying iPhones.

This analyst conveniently ignores Apple's entire product history of producing lower numbers of high-margin, high-profit goods rather than going for market share with low-cost junk, and his next two predictions aren't any more intelligent: an Apple HDTV and a MacBook Air running iOS instead of OS X. Because that device would make any sense at all.

Here's my prediction for 2013: absolutely none of this guy's predictions will come anywhere close to coming true.

Apple again predicted to build low-cost iPhone for emerging markets (AppleInsider)

Some other me-too analyst dragged out the same tired meme as the other one: Apple will produce a low-cost iPhone to address "emerging markets" and go after the low-end smartphone market. It makes perfect sense, because if there's one thing Apple's famous for, it's cutting corners and costs in order to go after the low-end market. Wait. No.

First Claimed Images of iPhone 5S Rear Shell Surface (MacRumors)

The iPhone 5 is barely out of its diapers, yet we already have purported images of "iPhone 5S" parts surfacing. MacRumors at least takes pains to explain that this could easily represent a prototype part; it could also be a slightly tweaked version of existing parts used in the iPhone 5.

That didn't stop people from leaping to the conclusion that the next-gen iPhone will debut six months after the iPhone 5's launch, though. Some cited the quick six-month turnaround between the "new iPad" and its fourth-generation successor as precedent, but the one thing Apple seems to be getting good at lately is turning precedent on its head. Especially if it's the one establishing the precedent in the first place.

Apple forecast to sell as many as 5M T-Mobile iPhones in first year (AppleInsider)

Not soon after we heard rumors (later confirmed, apparently) that Apple would start selling T-Mobile compatible iPhones in the States, at least one analyst was quick out the gate with a prediction of how many millions of iPhones the long-spurned mobile network would sell in the first year. The magic number, pulled from... somewhere... is 5 million.

How he came up with that number is anyone's guess. Let's see... I'm currently surfing on a cocktail of painkillers designed to help me cope with injuries I sustained in a motorcycle crash a few weeks back, so let me consult the Fates and see what they say... A HA! Apple will sell 6 million iPhones on T-Mobile next year. Take that, analysts!

Full-fledged television considered 'more in tune' with Apple than simple set-top box (AppleInsider)

After Tim Cook's remarks during an interview this week that television was "an area of intense interest" for Apple, speculation ran rampant over what he could have meant by that. The analyst responsible for the linked article is an example of speculation farthest afield from anything making logical sense.

A big, bulky, low-margin product like an HDTV, which people will only replace or upgrade once or twice a decade, is somehow "more in tune" with Apple's strategy than a small box, an accessory, an almost throwaway little thing like the current Apple TV puck? Someone hasn't been paying attention to Apple's "tune" at all, apparently.

Apple's upcoming iOS update to unlock full Bluetooth keyboard control for Apple TV (9to5 Mac)

Hey! Finally, a rumor that actually makes sense and has proof, with screenshots and everything. Apparently the latest Apple TV beta "finally" enables Bluetooth functionality that has, until now, lain dormant and unused inside the device. It's a tiny leap forward -- all this does is let you use wireless keyboards to navigate and search for content -- but it could potentially open the door to all kinds of interesting accessorizing with Apple's little hobby box in the future.

Rumor Roundup: 'An area of intense interest' originally appeared on TUAW - The Unofficial Apple Weblog on Mon, 10 Dec 2012 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Not much happened in the realm of Apple rumors this week. With the end of the year approaching, and Apple's product line pretty much cemented in place for the next quarter or so, the usual roar of rumors has died down to a tiny buzz.

In biggest blow yet, Apple to reportedly dump Samsung as chip supplier (BGR)

This isn't the first time we've heard rumors that Apple is leaning toward alternate chip suppliers for its iOS devices. However, BGR does us all a disservice by burying the source for this story in its final paragraph; seriously, I had to read almost that entire story before finding out it was sourced from Digitimes? Bad form.

'Speculation is Heightening' for Potential T-Mobile USA iPhone Announcement Next Week (MacRumors)

There's no direct evidence for this, only "heightening speculation" that T-Mobile will be getting the iPhone at long last. Given the lack of evidence and the fact that speculation has heightened along this front before with no results, I wouldn't get your hopes up if you're a fan of both T-Mobile and the iPhone.

That's seriously all there is to report this week. Maybe next week the rumor blogs will give us more to chew on.

Rumor Roundup: The well is dry originally appeared on TUAW - The Unofficial Apple Weblog on Tue, 04 Dec 2012 08:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

It's a brief Rumor Roundup this week, partly because there weren't many rumors out there, partly because motorcycle accident + four broken ribs + codeine = very difficult to write coherently. Remember, kids, the rubber parts of the motorcycle are the ones that go on the ground. The goal is to keep them there!

Early builds of Apple's upcoming OS X 10.9 include Siri and Maps integration (AppleInsider)

OS X 10.9 is already in testing within Apple's labs, and it seems that Siri and Apple Maps may be making their way "Back to the Mac" from iOS devices. I, for one, am looking forward to the day when I can ask my Mac, "Book an appointment with the optometrist," only to have my Mac book an appointment with "the atomic tryst" instead. (The Atomic Tryst is the name of my Arcade Fire cover band.)

Apple reportedly prepping next-generation iPhone for mid-2013 launch (BGR)

"New claims have emerged from the Far East that further support a summertime launch for Apple's next iPhone," BGR writes. Sounds juicy. "Digitimes cites unnamed market observers" -- BZZZZT, WRONG. Next.

Apple television predicted to headline three core product launches in 2013 (AppleInsider)

Gene Munster is pounding the Apple HDTV drum yet again. Even though the device didn't show up on shelves in 2012, 2011, 2010 or any other year that Munster claimed it would, Munster essentially says, "2013 is totally going to be different, guys. It's seriously coming this time. Guys? Guys, where are you going?"

Microsoft rumored to take on Apple TV with Xbox-branded set-top box in 2013 (AppleInsider)

In addition to the "sequel" to its videogame console, the Xbox 360, Microsoft reportedly plans to release a smaller version intended to compete with the US$99 Apple TV. Like that device, the "Xbox mini" (my name for it, no one else's) the box will be used primarily for streaming media. It may also be used for "casual gaming," which almost certainly means yet another version of Angry Birds for you to buy.

The device will run Windows 8 as well, so... well, good luck with that.

Rumor Roundup: The boy who cried Apple HDTV originally appeared on TUAW - The Unofficial Apple Weblog on Mon, 26 Nov 2012 23:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

There weren't many rumors this week, but there were two hilarious instances of rumors almost immediately being contradicted by other sources. Fact-checking isn't a four-letter word, guys. It's one four-letter word, a hyphen, and... I've lost you, haven't I? Oh well.

Rumor: Release of new iMacs may be delayed into 2013 (AppleInsider)

As noted today, supplies are constrained, but iMacs are still expected to be available on schedule.

Apple to Begin Trial Production of iPhone 5S for Earlier Than Expected Launch? (MacRumors)

"DigiTimes relays a report," is as far as I got before I closed the browser tab. Out of morbid curiosity, I reopened it and found that MacRumors considered the actual source, the Commercial Times, to have a "spotty record." It's nothing to be ashamed of; my dog also had a spotty record until I got her house trained.

Reports out of Asia: New iPhone 5S, iPad & Apple TV to launch in 1st half of 2013, Samsung hiking prices on Apple processors | 9to5Mac

The iPhone 5S, iPad, and Apple TV bits came from the same "spotty" source, so they can safely be ignored. The story about Samsung increasing prices on A5 and A6 processors set off a firestorm across the Apple blogosphere this week, however, with pretty much everyone speculating it was a direct counter-reaction to Apple's victory in its patent suit against Samsung.

Small problem...

Report: Samsung will not increase price of A-series processors (9to5 Mac)

An "unnamed Samsung official" denied the price increase. Oh, well. I guess this means we've all learned our lesson, and we'll never cite a sketchy source on a sensationalistic topic ever again.

Oh, wait.

Apple HDTV announcement said to be 'imminent' (BGR)

Some analyst says the long-awaited, never-proven-to-exist Apple HDTV is "imminent." Obviously this guy we've never heard of must be a credible source familiar with the matter, because this story got plastered all over my RSS feed.

Small problem...

Apple HDTV's 'imminent' release shot down in new report (BGR)

A person with a little more credibility concerning all things Apple, namely AllThingsD's John Paczkowski, doused this rumor with a bucket of logical, cold water. That naturally didn't get quite as much attention as the rumor itself; the outrageous claims always get more attention than the arguments debunking them. Isn't that right, every single political pundit ever?

Rumor Roundup: Yes, no, maybe so originally appeared on TUAW - The Unofficial Apple Weblog on Mon, 19 Nov 2012 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Following Apple's most recent event, a solid two weeks went by with no rumors of consequence. It turns out that was just probation. The rumors have returned -- just a trickle compared to the flood of the past few months, but there nonetheless.

iPad mini 2 Retina display tipped already in pipeline from AUO (SlashGear)

One of the suppliers for the current iPad mini's display is reportedly already preparing a 2,048 x 1,536 Retina display for the second-generation model, due for release just under a year from now. This is good news, because it gives iPad mini owners with an over-inflated sense of entitlement many months to stoke the fires of their nerd rage over the iPad mini 2's release.

Exclusive: Microsoft Office for iPhone, iPad, and Android revealed | The Verge

I'm not sure whether to classify this as a "rumor" or not since it was unveiled via a press release. Nevertheless, Microsoft Office is supposedly coming to iOS next year -- as a viewer-only app. If you want to actually edit Office documents, you'll have to purchase a subscription. Or you can do what I'm going to do: ignore these apps altogether and go on happily using anything but Office.

Apple not likely to ditch Intel chips for Macs in near future (Macworld)

This past week, multiple outlets came out with the perennial old story that Apple is planning to ditch Intel processors in favor of its own ARM-powered CPUs. Anyone possessing a passing familiarity with the enormous gulf in processing capability between the most powerful ARM A6 and the weakest Intel i5 might laugh this off as implausible, but that didn't stop the Internet's echochamber from sounding off for most of the week. Macworld's take on the matter seems the most sane to me, and I'm not just saying that because its position agrees with mine.

That's all of this week's credible rumors out of the way. Let's see what our old pal Digitimes is up to.

Rumor: Samsung expecting to lose a portion of orders for future Apple chips (AppleInsider)

The real news here is AppleInsider has downgraded Digitimes from "sometimes reliable" to "hit-or-miss."

Apple unlikely to hit MacBook growth target (BGR)

Digitimes thinks Apple won't make its 2012 target for MacBook growth because its "new MacBooks" didn't launch until late October. The hit-or-miss publication apparently doesn't remember that Apple actually refreshed its entire MacBook lineup at WWDC in June. Only the Retina display 13-inch MacBook Pro is newer.

That's it for this week's rumors. The well is likely to be this dry or drier for the rest of this year; Apple's product lineup is likely locked down for the next few months at least.

Rumor Roundup: Probation violation originally appeared on TUAW - The Unofficial Apple Weblog on Mon, 12 Nov 2012 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

After two years of foreplay from the rumor blogs, Apple unveiled the iPad mini onstage last week. Finally, I don't have to write about the thing anymore! Except for this post, and the inevitable "iPad mini HD" rumors that will come in 2013, and so on.

I spent most of the past two years completely unconvinced that Apple would ever build or sell a device like the iPad mini. In fact, it was only when convincing-looking parts leaked out and Jim Dalrymple of The Loop gave his "Yep" blessing to the iPad mini event that I started believing the product actually existed anywhere outside the Mountain Dew-fueled fever dreams of bloggers and the opium-fueled speculation of analysts.

So, in full recognition of the term "turnabout is fair play," instead of poking fun at the rumor blogs this week, this Rumor Roundup is an assemblage of my own boneheaded iPad mini-related quotes from the past several months. Let's all point and laugh, shall we?

May 14

A product that's been rumored but never seen for almost two years, the "iPad mini" would serve no other purpose than to cannibalize the existing iPad line. Even if you assume that making a 2,048 x 1,536, 7-inch screen is technically feasible, saying Apple could sell such a device for the current asking price of the iPod touch is downright laughable.

The iPad mini already exists. It's called an iPod touch. Those who claim Apple wants to address the mid-sized market the Kindle Fire took by storm in late 2011 seem to be conveniently ignoring the fact that Kindle Fire sales went down the tubes in early 2012.

As for a lower-priced option to address budget-minded consumers, that already exists too. It's called an iPad 2. Maybe you've heard of it. It's just like the new iPad, only it's $100 cheaper and its screen looks like it's been smeared with Vaseline when you put it next to the new iPad.

I'm sure Apple has been technologically capable of making an iPad mini for years. All the company lacks is the poor business sense to actually release one.

LOLometer reading: 10/10. Man, there's so much wrongness packed into that passage that I don't even know where to begin. So I won't. I think it pretty much speaks for itself... probably after five beers too many.

May 21

Even though it failed to surface in 2010 or 2011, 2012 will be the year of the iPad mini! Unless it launches in 2013. Or 20-never.

LOLometer reading: 7/10. I'm dating my checks "20-never" for the rest of this year.

May 28

Even assuming the iPad mini existed, it'd have to be just as multifunctional as the iPad Grande it's supposed to complement. Otherwise, why would anyone buy it?

LOLometer reading: 0/10. This turns out to be one of those rare instances where I was right, because Apple agreed with me. The iPad mini is, in Apple's own words, the "condensed" version of the bigger iPad rather than a stripped-down model.

July 9

It's well-known by now that Google's margins on the Nexus 7 are razor thin, which makes it incredibly unlikely Apple intends to compete on price alone with an "iPad mini" tablet. It's equally well-known that Apple is selling tens of millions of full-sized iPads per quarter already, while sales of the Kindle Fire tanked after the first quarter and the Nexus 7 hasn't been around long enough to tell what impact it's had.

Despite the new tablet announcements from Microsoft and Google over the past few weeks, Apple still doesn't have any real competition for the iPad. An iPad mini would very likely cause more lost sales for the full-sized iPad than it would for either the Nexus 7 or Kindle Fire, two products that seem to be aimed at markets that either can't afford an iPad or just hate Apple that much.

LOLometer reading: 3/10. This turned out to be mostly right; the iPad mini's entry price is significantly more than either the Kindle Fire HD or the Nexus 7. And the iPad mini probably will result in a few lost sales of full-sized iPads over the long term, but its impact on competing tablets will be more difficult to judge since neither Amazon nor Google release hard data on those numbers.

Unfortunately, I kind of went off the meds later on the same day:

No matter how reputable or disreputable the news outlet and no matter what evidence they claim to have, after more than two years of speculation, prestidigitation and obfuscation concerning the iPad mini, I am burnt out on this device and the rumors surrounding it. After 24-plus months of nonsense, there is literally no source worth listening to on this matter other than an Apple executive walking onto a keynote stage holding a miniaturized iPad in his hands.

Until that happens -- if it ever happens -- there is no way I will believe this product exists. And despite the fact that I don't really see any plausible economic reason for Apple to make one, I still kind of hope they do introduce something like an iPad mini just so the rumor blogs will finally shut up about it.

LOLometer reading: 7/10. I got my wish, sort of. Also, note to self: do not blog immediately after spending an entire weekend battling with airport and transit officials trying (and nearly failing) to get from Palmerston North to Auckland, then having your car die on the other side of town when you get back home. For some reason, after going through all that my writing sounded a bit... testy.

August 13

I don't see a point to the iPad mini, and it seems Apple would be making a mistake to release a product that would only cannibalize sales of the more expensive iPad Señor.

I almost want the iPad mini to actually be a real, shipping product now. Not to buy one -- count me among the 46 percent who think it's pointless -- but to see how it would do on the market. It seems like a no-win scenario product to me; if it turns out few people want to buy a cheaper, smaller iPad, then it's a failure. But if a bunch of people buy it instead of the more expensive iPad with its presumably fatter profit margins, then it undermines Apple's profits.

LOLometer reading: 8/10. In retrospect, I think a lot of my problem with the iPad mini and why I couldn't see a clear spot for it in Apple's lineup is because I already have a full-sized iPad and an iPhone. I sure don't need an iPad mini, and for me it would indeed be a waste of money. But somehow I forgot about the billions of humans who don't own either of those products -- people who just might be drawn to an iPad that's both smaller and less expensive than its bigger cousin.

August 27

I must be the only person left in the tech world who thinks "iPad mini" is a tremendously irksome product name. Why not just go full-on ridiculous and call the iPod touch the "iPad nano" instead?

LOLometer reading: 9/10. I still think "iPad mini" is kind of a daft name, but really, what else was Apple going to call it? And come to think of it, "iPad nano" might actually be a more fitting name than "iPod touch" for the 4-inch device.

October 22

9to5 Mac's "best guess" is $329. I don't buy that price at all; Apple's a fan of nice, round numbers for its introductory pricing of premium products, a bit of psychological trickery that's taught in Marketing 101. $299 seems more likely.

LOLometer reading: 10/10. I'm still baffled by Apple's pricing for the iPad mini; a $299 introductory price would've at least given consumers the illusion they could get the base model device for under $300. The extra $30 doesn't seem to have made any difference, though, since preorders are already sold out.

October 29

So, we're all caught up now. The lesson here is pretty obvious: it no longer pays to be ultra-conservative when it comes to Apple rumors. There are clearly some internal leaks from Apple, but it's the supply chain leaks that are really killing Christmas morning for us geeks.

And at the end of it all, you must be able to guess what happened: I bought a base model iPad mini the instant it was available for preorder. Stop looking at me like that -- it's not for me.

Rumor Roundup: Self-flagellation edition originally appeared on TUAW - The Unofficial Apple Weblog on Mon, 29 Oct 2012 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Amazon has a rather cheeky ad on its homepage right now comparing its Kindle Fire HD to the newly unveiled iPad mini. The ad opens with, of all things, a Gizmodo quote. "...your [Apple's] 7.9-inch tablet has far fewer pixels than the competing 7-inch tablets! You're cramming a worse screen in there, charging more, and accusing others of compromise? Ballsy."

Nah, what's ballsy is drawing on quotes from Gizmodo in support of your product. If Apple discovered a cure for cancer, all Gizmodo would do is complain about the resulting population explosion.

What's not up for debate is the difference in pixel counts -- the Kindle Fire HD does indeed offer "much more for much less" -- but I'm willing to bet that a lot of people firing off support for this statistic are the same ones who claimed Retina displays on Macs and iPads are "overkill" and all those extra pixels don't matter. "Ballsy" indeed.

Amazon's table doesn't tell the whole story, either, so I've decided to help them out.

"Much more for much less" doesn't quite ring true here. How about, "You get what you pay for," instead?

Amazon compares Kindle Fire HD to iPad mini, forgets some key specs originally appeared on TUAW - The Unofficial Apple Weblog on Mon, 29 Oct 2012 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

An 80-meter yacht that Steve Jobs helped design has launched a year after his death, according to Dutch blog One More Thing. The uniquely styled craft, christened "Venus" after the Roman goddess of love and beauty, has floor-to-ceiling glass in many areas and other interior design elements reminiscent of Apple's retail stores.

Far more interesting from our perspective are the seven 27-inch iMacs that seem to serve as the ship's main instrument monitors. They definitely appear to be the new super-thin iMacs, but speculation in the TUAW newsroom ran rampant over what software they're running. It's possible they're operating on entirely custom software, but they may also be running an off-the-shelf solution (likely virtualized in some fashion).

Though we called it Jobs' yacht in the headline for the sake of brevity, it's obviously his family's yacht now. In gratitude, the family issued shipbuilders with iPod shuffles and notes thanking them for their "hard work and craftsmanship."

A video of the yacht is embedded below.

[via The Verge]

Steve Jobs' yacht unveiled originally appeared on TUAW - The Unofficial Apple Weblog on Mon, 29 Oct 2012 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Just like most everyone else on the East Coast of the United States, Apple Stores in five states, D.C. and Canada are making preparations for "Frankenstorm" Hurricane Sandy. ifoAppleStore.com reports that between 35 and 50 stores may close in the northeastern US and Canada (if they haven't already), as they are either within the expected landfall zone of Sandy or just outside it.

One of our readers has confirmed that Rhode Island and Boston area stores are shut. Meanwhile, two of Apple's flagship New York City stores have surrounded themselves with sandbags, with the Fifth Avenue store even wrapping Macs and other products in plastic bags as an extra precaution against water damage.

All of this goes to show that if Apple isn't taking chances with this megastorm, neither should you. If you live in the area expected to be affected by Hurricane Sandy, please take every precaution possible. Forewarned is forearmed.

East Coast Apple Stores batten down for Hurricane Sandy originally appeared on TUAW - The Unofficial Apple Weblog on Mon, 29 Oct 2012 02:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

You may remember that a UK judge ruled in Samsung's favor in the patent spat between Apple and Samsung companies in that country. The judge went one step farther than most and required Apple to publicly declare that Samsung didn't copy Apple and to include a post about the matter on Apple's website.

Apple has adhered to the letter of that judgement in perhaps the most minimalistic fashion possible. It's posted an unobtrusive "Samsung/Apple UK judgement" link in the footer of its main UK site; this links to the most Spartan page I've ever seen on an Apple site, and possibly on any website ever.

Apple opens with legalistic language acknowledging the judgement (and no doubt putting 90 percent of readers off from reading the rest), then moves on to the actual quotes from the case's judge. Apple, of course, could not resist throwing in the best quote from the judgement, where the judge describes Samsung's products: "They do not have the same understated and extreme simplicity which is possessed by the Apple design. They are not as cool."

The letter closes by divulging that the same patent trial in other countries, including Germany and the United States, was ruled in Apple's favor. "So while the U.K. court did not find Samsung guilty of infringement, other courts have recognized that in the course of creating its Galaxy tablet, Samsung willfully copied Apple's far more popular iPad."

In other words: "This UK judge has forced us to say Samsung didn't copy us -- but we don't believe that for a second, and neither should you."

Apple's 'Samsung didn't copy us' legal notice goes up on UK site originally appeared on TUAW - The Unofficial Apple Weblog on Fri, 26 Oct 2012 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Consumers and competitors alike apparently can't get too comfortable with the pace of iPad updates, because just six months after the "new iPad" came out, Apple has announced the fourth-generation iPad. Powered by an A6X chip, it doubles the CPU performance of its predecessor. It has a 720p FaceTime HD camera and has "greatly expanded LTE coverage" according to Phil Schiller.

The newest iPad comes with the same Lightning connector as the iPhone 5 and the newest iPods. It's available at the same prices as the third-generation iPad and has the same Retina display.

Apple announces fourth generation iPad originally appeared on TUAW - The Unofficial Apple Weblog on Tue, 23 Oct 2012 13:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Apple has introduced a new line of iMacs, its eighth generation of what it's now calling its "flagship desktop line." Although broadly similar in design to its predecessor, the big departure is its thickness -- the new iMac is 5 mm thin at its edge. Part of how Apple got the iMac that thin is that it ditched the optical drive from the iMac. The display is laminated directly to the glass, similarly to how the iPhone and MacBook Pro with Retina display LCDs are built.

The 27-inch display resolution is 2,560 x 1,440, while the 21-inch is 1,920 x 1,080. Looks like you'll have to wait a while for Retina displays on the iMac. It comes with a 720p FaceTime HD camera, Core i5 or i7 processors, 768 GB of flash memory or 3 TB HDD, and up to 32 GB of RAM. There are four USB 3.0 ports and two Thunderbolt ports -- Firewire is gone.

With the iMac, Apple has introduced a Fusion Drive -- a hybrid of a 128 GB flash drive and 1 TB or 3 TB HDD. They're fused into a single logical volume, with the OS and pre-installed applications living on the flash drive. The OS dynamically decides whether apps are stored on the SSD or hard drive depending on your usage patterns in order to optimize performance.

The base model 21-inch iMac starts at US$1299 and ships in November, while the base 27-inch starts at $1799 and ships in December.

Apple introduces new line of iMacs originally appeared on TUAW - The Unofficial Apple Weblog on Tue, 23 Oct 2012 13:44:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

As expected, Apple announced a 13-inch MacBook Pro with Retina display this morning. "We're taking our best product and introducing something so much better," Phil Schiller said. It's 0.75 inches thin and weighs just over 3.5 pounds, almost a full pound lighter than the previous generation -- the lightest MacBook Pro ever.

The 13-inch model has the exact same ports as the 15-inch MacBook Pro with Retina display. Its screen resolution is 2,560 x 1,600, four times the number of pixels of its predecessor. Its pixel count is higher than any competing 13-inch or 15-inch laptop from other manufacturer, displaying almost 2 million more pixels than a typical HDTV.

Like the 15-inch model, it has a 720p FaceTime HD camera and stereo microphones. You can get up to 768 GB of flash memory, Core i5 or i7 processor, 8 GB of RAM, and up to seven hours of battery life.

The 13-inch MacBook Pro with Retina display is available starting at US$1699 -- $500 less than the base model 15-inch Retina model -- and it ships today.

Apple announces a 13-inch MacBook Pro with Retina Display originally appeared on TUAW - The Unofficial Apple Weblog on Tue, 23 Oct 2012 13:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

If this week's flurry of rumors are to be believed, not only has the iPad mini finally graduated from mythical unicorn status to "shipping soon" after over two years of rumors, it's also going to share the stage with updates to virtually every other product Apple makes.

"How is Apple going to cram all this into one keynote?" you may ask. It's a fair question, and the answer is simple: they probably won't bother. Rumored updates to the Mac mini and iMac in particular sound like they're just processor/RAM bumps of the existing models, unlikely to be worthy of mention at Apple's media event.

After each product that was the focus of rumors this week, I've put in my guess for how likely it is to get specifically mentioned at the upcoming event.

13-inch MacBook Pro with Retina display: 90 percent

Let's Get Small: 13-inch MacBook Pro Retina Will Join iPad Mini at Apple Event (AllThingsD)

"Sources familiar with Apple's plans" confirmed the 13-inch MacBook Pro with Retina display is coming to a keynote stage near you, complete with a 2,560 x 1,600 pixel display. AllThingsD's sources are usually spot on when it comes to these last-minute revelations, so I'll buy this rumor for a dollar.

Estimated prices on 13-inch Retina MacBook Pros: Starts around U$1,699 (9to5 Mac)

Leaked pricing information seems to indicate the 13-inch MacBook Pro with Retina display will start at $500 less than its 15-inch big brother. Makes sense.

13-Inch Retina MacBook Pro Said to Carry 'Unprecedented' Battery Design, Same Port Layout as 15-Inch Model (MacRumors)

Spyshots of the 13-inch MacBook Pro with Retina display show a design pretty much identical to the 15-inch model, just smaller. No real surprises there. Followup pics show a fully-assembled model.

Seemingly concrete evidence has come from a wide variety of sources makes the 13-inch MacBook Pro with Retina display seem like a very safe bet.

Mac mini and iMac: 10 percent

Apple also planning new Mac minis for launch alongside smaller iPad

Apple is doubling its built-to-order RAM configurations for new Mac minis, and likely iMacs (9to5 Mac)

Those of you who are unabashed Mac mini fans are likely excited by this news, but spec bumps just aren't sexy enough for the rest of us. Unless Apple's adding something else in addition to beefier numbers on its desktop Macs, I wouldn't expect them to get mentioned at the event at all.

iPad mini: 100 percent

I've spent the past two years being skeptical that this product existed or that it ever would exist, but for better or worse it seems to be coming, and it's likely to be the main focus of the event.

Exclusive: 'iPad mini' part numbers reveal Apple plans 12 configurations in two colors (AppleInsider)

Supposedly the iPad mini will come in 24 different flavors, with two colors, four different storage capacities, and WiFi-only plus 3G/LTE-capable models. None of that is unexpected except for the wide breadth of storage capacities; the iPad has only ever come in three different capacities, with 16 GB at the low end. AppleInsider suggests the iPad mini might come in a cheaper 8 GB model, but this seems unlikely considering how huge iOS apps' sizes have become over the past two years.

Photos of 4:3 Display from Apple's 'iPad Mini' Surface (MacRumors)

Photos show an LG-built display matching the purported size of the iPad mini's display. No one put this display under the microscope to determine its pixel density, but thus far all the rumors have pointed to a non-Retina display 1,024 x 768 resolution for the 7.85-inch display.

Every five 'iPad mini' sales projected to cannibalize one full-size iPad (AppleInsider)

Analyst Gene Munster crunched some numbers and decided that the iPad mini will sell 5 million units during the upcoming holiday quarter. According to him, that means sales of full-sized iPads will go down by 1 million units. He expects total iPad sales of 25 million units this quarter: 5 million iPad minis and 20 million iPads.

If you think it's weird to start making projections like this before Apple even shows the thing onstage, you're not alone. It will be interesting to revisit this claim in about three months and see whether Munster got it right or not.

Apple's smaller iPad forecast to become 'competition's worst nightmare' (AppleInsider)

Another analyst says Apple doesn't need to compete on price with the iPad mini, because it's going to kick competing tablets' butts up and down the block no matter how much it costs. He says a Nexus-like $199 price entry for the iPad mini doesn't make sense, and $299 is more likely. On the other hand...

Apple's smaller iPad to likely start at a minimum of $329 in the U.S. (9to5 Mac)

9to5 Mac's "best guess" is $329. I don't buy that price at all; Apple's a fan of nice, round numbers for its introductory pricing of premium products, a bit of psychological trickery that's taught in Marketing 101. $299 seems more likely.

Several reporting iPad mini will ship and hit stores Nov. 2 (9to5 Mac and many others)

Multiple sources are claiming the iPad mini will be on store shelves less than two weeks after its unveiling.

Apple predicted to phase out iPad 2 to streamline product line for 'iPad mini' (AppleInsider)

Some analyst thinks Apple will discontinue the iPad 2 in order to "make room" for the iPad mini in Apple's product lineup -- a question we put to our TUAW reader braintrust over the weekend. This claim makes a lot more sense than typical analyst meanderings; I can't think of many reasons to recommend an iPad 2 over a smaller iPad with the same display resolution. Battery life, maybe.

Full-size iPad refresh: 50 percent

New full-sized iPad with improved internals, Lightning connector to be announced next week at current prices (9to5 Mac)

Rumor: Image allegedly shows 9.7-inch iPad with Lightning port (AppleInsider)

This isn't the first time rumors of a mid-cycle refresh of the "new iPad" a.k.a. iPad 3 have been voiced, but from my perspective they still don't make much sense. I'm having a tough time figuring out who benefits from changing up the mainstream iPad's design six months after its introduction. Consumers don't benefit from the new Lightning connector, because it's still relatively new and has much fewer accessories than the old-school 30-pin connector.

Apple doesn't seem to benefit either, because its suppliers have to re-tool significantly for a device that's presumably midway through its product cycle. You can argue that it simplifies production having the Lightning connector on both the iPad and iPad mini, but in that case why not put Lightning connectors on the iPhone 4 and 4S, too?

Only one thing is certain: if an updated, full-sized iPad does come out this week, expect an X-Class solar flare of nonsensical Nerd Rage to sweep across the internet over how Apple "obsoleted" the new iPad after only six months.

Other

iTunes leaks mention of iBooks 3.0 ahead of next week's Apple media event (9to5 Mac)

A couple books in the iBookstore say they require iBooks 3.0 or later. The immediate assumption might be that this is merely a typo, but books so labeled aren't fully compatible with the current 2.0 version of the iBooks app.

Our own Erica Sadun is convinced that iBooks and textbooks will be a big focus of the upcoming event, with Apple positioning the iPad mini as an e-reader like the Kindle Fire that's perfect for educational settings.

Troubled media sharing startup Color Labs said to be acquired by Apple (The Next Web)

Whoever TNW's source was on this, I hope they're no longer a "trusted" source. Virtually everyone I know uttered a variation of "Whiskey Tango Foxtrot" when this story broke, because it didn't make the slightest bit of sense. Why would Apple pay "high double digit" millions of dollars for a company infamous for sucking down over $40 million in funding without producing any return on that huge investment?

The answer, of course, is that Apple wouldn't do that at all. According to AllThingsD, Apple paid out a few million dollars to hire away Color's engineering team, and that's it. It's a safe bet we won't be hearing a word about that on October 23.

Rumor Roundup: A little more to show you originally appeared on TUAW - The Unofficial Apple Weblog on Mon, 22 Oct 2012 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

For the second week in a row, the iPad mini dominated the Apple rumor landscape. With much more credible sources now having weighed in on the matter, the device looks a little less mythical than it has before. It's still not "confirmed" until an Apple exec shows one onstage, but now that more trusted names in Apple news have thrown their support behind its existence, it seems like just a matter of time before that actually happens.

It's worth a reminder that Apple builds other products, with associated rumors trailing behind those products -- even (gasp) Macs.

Not the iPad mini

Mac mini supply drying up, could signal Ivy Bridge update (AppleInsider)

Multiple sellers of the Mac mini are starting to run low on stocks of the device. This could point to an upcoming refresh, but as AppleInsider notes, it could also just be a temporary downturn in supplies.

2012 iMac Said to Carry Thinner Design, Alleged Internals Photo Surfaces (MacRumors)

The iMac is supposedly getting an overhaul, with a thinner design and a laminated display similar to the one on the iPhone and MacBook Pro with Retina Display. The 21.5-inch model is said to be updated first, with the 27-inch following later.

Rumor: New 13" MacBook Pro affected by 'weak yields' of Retina display (AppleInsider)

"The details were published on Thursday by the hit-or-miss Taiwanese electronics industry publication DigiTimes," AppleInsider says. I guess DigiTimes no longer counts as "sometimes reliable" when they're only right once or twice a year.

13-inch Retina MacBook Pro said to be on track for Q4 launch (BGR)

Some analyst "strongly believes" Apple will unveil a 13-inch MacBook Pro with Retina display later this year. If "strong belief" in something is enough to get things moving in the real world, then I strongly believe that when I wake up tomorrow morning I'll find Mila Kunis and a BMW G650GS motorcycle in my garage.

13-inch MacBook Pro with Retina display confirmed for Apple event (9to5 Mac)

If 9to5 Mac's source is correct, Mila and I will be touring New Zealand's North Island by motorcycle for the next month. So long, suckers!

Apple's Rumored Carbon Fiber Part Shipments Said to Be Result of Multi-Year Partnership (MacRumors)

Earlier rumors that Apple had suddenly ordered a bunch of carbon fiber turned out to be only half-true (if that). Apple supposedly did make a big order for carbon fiber, but spread out over many years.

Quality issues with iPhone 5's aluminum chassis slows production, report says (AppleInsider)

Supposedly "Scuffgate" drew the ire of Apple officials, and as a result quality control standards at Foxconn have tightened even further. Does anybody else remember how the first-generation iPod nano would get all scratched up if you even breathed on it? Good times.

Apple Stores to begin stocking iPhone 5 cases later this month (9to5 Mac)

"Multiple sources" claim iPhone 5 cases are coming to Apple Stores, so finally you can undo years of engineering and design effort in two minutes by wrapping your svelte smartphone in a thick rubber case.

Apple's 'next big thing' may be iDevice TV remote, not standalone HDTV (AppleInsider)

Some analyst thinks Apple's going to build an iOS-based TV remote. He doesn't offer anything concrete to back up his assertion, such as evidence, but that's hardly important. What's important is figuring out how Apple's going to find time to build TV remotes when it's already so busy making HDTVs, watches, cars and fridge/toasters.

Apple Reportedly Tapping TSMC for 20-nm Quad-Core Chips with Late 2013 Production (MacRumors)

This isn't the first time we've heard of Apple courting TSMC for chip production, and it makes perfect strategic sense for Apple to get someone other than Samsung to build the "brain" for its iOS devices.

iPad mini

iPad Mini Design "Could Outshine the New iPad" (AllThingsD)

Some analyst claims the iPad mini will be more aesthetically pleasing than the iPad (3). I sure hope so, because between the extra weight and thickness giving me a hernia and the heat output giving my left hand third-degree burns, almost anything would be better than the new iPad.

iPad mini could push total holiday iPad sales to nearly 30 million (BGR)

Some analyst thinks Apple will sell 10 million iPad minis over the holiday season, and 20 million iPad grandes. As long as we're making up numbers out of thin air, why not go for broke? "BREAKING EXCLUSIVE -- Analyst reports Apple will sell 222 hojillion iPads in 2012 Q4 (developing)"

'iPad Mini' Design Change Halts Production by Case Manufacturers? (MacRumors)

Supposedly a last-minute design change in the iPad mini's casing has case manufacturers scrambling to adapt. It seems that basing your case designs off of rumors and "sources from the Far East" may not be the wisest move after all.

Belkin and Brenthaven join the list of mainstream iPad mini accessory makers (9to5 Mac)

Case manufacturers you may have actually heard of have accessories ready to go when/if the iPad mini hits the market.

'iPad mini' likely to be WiFi-only - but revised 9.7-inch model will offer UK 4G (The Guardian)

"Industry sources" told The Guardian the iPad mini will be WiFi only, with no 3G/4G cellular option. That's all well and good, except...

Retailer purports to show 'iPad mini' in WiFi, cellular models priced from 250-650 euros (AppleInsider)

A German retailer's computer system shows 16 different models of iPad mini, including ones with cellular options. It's possible these are guesses and/or placeholders, however.

Retailers gearing up for Apple's 'iPad mini' with plans for accessory displays (AppleInsider)

A Best Buy planogram shows a kiosk devoted to iPad mini accessories.

Apple's 'iPad mini' predicted to be 'the next big thing' in China (AppleInsider)

Some analyst thinks the iPad mini will "take off like wildfire" in China. For once, an analyst may be right; I was going to say something snarky here, but after a bit of research it turns out average disposable income in China is a lot higher than I thought it was.

Apple Likely to Unveil "iPad Mini" at October 23 Event (AllThingsD)

Given that bold predictions of an October 10 invite failed to pan out, I was all set to ridicule this one too -- right up until Jim Dalrymple of The Loop gave his "Yep" blessing to this bit of news. He hasn't been wrong yet, so I'll take him at his word on this one, too. Looks like the iPad mini may finally stop being an irritating myth and start being an irritating reality.

Apple's hypothetical iPad mini event to have strong iBooks focus (The Next Web)

"Multiple sources" claim the iPad mini event "will have a strong focus on iBooks." If Apple pitches it as "Like a Kindle, but it can do all this other cool stuff too," that's a potentially compelling message for a lot of consumers.

Photos of 'iPad Mini' Battery Reveal 16.7 Watt-Hour Capacity (MacRumors)

One thing's for sure: the quality of spyshot photos has gotten a lot better over the past five years.

Assuming the rumored event date is true, at time of publication we're eight days away from the iPad mini's unveiling. I'm still not even remotely enthused by the concept of a device that's midway between an iPhone and an iPad, but that's probably because I already own both of those devices. People who don't already own a full-size iPad are probably going to give an iPad mini a serious look, especially if the price is right.

Rumor Roundup: The 'Yep' heard 'round the world originally appeared on TUAW - The Unofficial Apple Weblog on Mon, 15 Oct 2012 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Last week, I noted that the relative dearth of iPad mini rumors painted a bleak picture for its purported October launch. Seemingly in retaliation, rumor blogs and mainstream outlets alike were bursting at the seams with iPad mini rumors this week.

First, let's clear the few non-iPad rumors out of the way.

Apple new Maps app hints company could extend service to Mac, PC browsers (AppleInsider)

Literally months after WWDC and the debut of Apple's new in-house Maps effort, AppleInsider finally noticed that entering maps.apple.com in the address bar of an iOS 6 device will direct users to the Maps app, while the same URL on a Mac or PC directs users to Google Maps. They go on to speculate this could be indicative of Apple extending its Maps service to Mac and PC browsers.

What they never bother to answer is why Apple would be even remotely interested in doing that, or how maps.apple.com redirecting to maps.google.com supports their thesis in the slightest. If anything, Apple redirecting OS X users to its smartphone rival's website during Mac-based searches makes the case that Apple sees its own Maps as a necessarily mobile-only effort.

Apple wants to move Macs away from Intel chips -- report (AppleInsider)

In another case of "definitive statement in headline does not match article content," AppleInsider dusts off another perennially nonsensical rumor suggesting that Apple is investigating alternatives to Intel chips for its Macs.

Any time you want to see the tech press's ignorance of computing architecture laid bare, look for a story like this one suggesting that the A6 chip -- with a Geekbench score around 1,600 -- would be in any way an acceptable substitute for even the most anemic Intel chips now powering Macs.

And suggesting Apple will abandon Intel for AMD isn't any more logical.

Apple seen as 'unlikely' to introduce new, inexpensive iPhone model (AppleInsider)

Some analyst thinks Apple's discontinuation of the iPhone 3GS means Apple's likely not interested in producing low-cost iPhones to make gains in the prepaid market. This contradicts at least a year of other analysts saying the exact opposite -- and turning out to be wrong -- but who's keeping score?

Yield rates for Apple's iPhone 5 in-cell touch panels improving (AppleInsider)

Some other analyst says Apple's iPhone production is finally starting to catch up to demand. This is a spectacularly easy call to make considering it happens every single year.

Apple Job Posting Hints At Major New System-On-A-Chip Design Effort (TechCrunch)

Apple seems interested in continuing to roll its own chips for iOS devices at the very least; the A6 is largely a custom job, and it looks like Apple wants to keep that trend going. TechCrunch unfortunately falls into the same logic trap of speculating this might have something to do with replacing Intel chips on the Mac; not going to happen, guys.

Supply of Apple's new iPod touch, iPod nano may be limited at launch (AppleInsider)

Considering every rumor blog out there is saying the screen is the limiting factor in the iPhone 5's production, and considering the iPod touch uses the exact same screen, this should come as no surprise. What's less clear is why the iPod nano's supply will be limited.

Rumor: iPad mini invitations set to be mailed out Oct. 10 (Apple 2.0 / Fortune Tech)

Event announcement October 10, event October 17, shipping November 2. Bold statements all. We'll see.

iPad mini production begins...in Brazil? (9to5 Mac)

Macotakara says iPad mini production has already begun. Their record wasn't all that great earlier this year, but they've been getting more positive hits lately.

AU Optronics reportedly building 'iPad mini' screens ahead of November launch (AppleInsider)

According to "sometimes-barely-ever-accurate Digitimes."

Is Sharp showing high-res iPad mini screens? (TechHive)

The actual story here has little if anything to do with Apple, focusing instead on new display technology unveiled by Sharp that may find its way into future Apple products.

Purported iPad Mini parts show full digitizer, frame and housing assemblies (9to5 Mac)

Ukrainianiphone.com (sounds legit!) showed some "iPad mini" parts, some of which 9to5 Mac thinks are suspiciously similar to the Kindle Fire.

Apple reportedly scrambling to get iPad mini production up to speed for launch (BGR)

BGR reports, with Business Insider as a source, on what some analyst said about an unannounced and unconfirmed product. We've crossed the event horizon of newslessness.

'iPad mini' cases made by Cygnett allegedly for sale in Australia (AppleInsider)

I like poking fun at case makers for how often they've gotten things wrong in the past, but the recent designs for the iPhone 5 and new iPod touch were on the ball. Cygnett sells loads of cases in this part of the world, though, so they can afford the hit if they turn out to be wrong.

Purported 'iPad mini' headphone jacks appear online (AppleInsider)

In earlier decades, people grasped at straws. Today, they grasp at ribbon cables.

iPad mini could face shortage due to tough-to-produce anodized unibody case (BGR)

Any time a new Apple product is just over the next hill past the horizon, Digitimes comes out with the same sky-is-falling headline: "Apple product (x) may be in short supply because of component (y)."

New iPad Shows Up in App Analytics Running A6-Based Chip (MacRumors)

An "iPad3,6" showed up in some developer's usage logs. That's totally different from the iPad3,1, iPad3,2, and iPad3,3 already out there. What does it mean? Is it the iPad mini? A moderate refresh of the iPad grande? The 2013 iPad? An A6-powered Mac Pro with Lightning connectors and a 7.85" display? A supply-constrained iPhone nano with inductive charging, NFC and a liquid metal case? A touchscreen iMac with Retina Display? The Apple HDTV? The iWatch?

Apple Suppliers Begin Producing Smaller Version of iPad (Wall Street Journal)

"People with knowledge of the situation" say the iPad mini is in production. For once, I hope they're right, and the product actually hits shelves. I don't know about the rest of you, but after two years of this nonsense, I'm sick and tired of iPad mini rumors.

Rumor Roundup: iPad mini-maxing originally appeared on TUAW - The Unofficial Apple Weblog on Mon, 08 Oct 2012 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

It was another slow week for rumors, which doesn't make a whole lot of sense if the iPad mini is supposed to be launching this month. You'd think that we'd be hearing something like 50 rumors a week about the thing, but instead there's barely a peep.

AuthenTec Said to Cut Off Non-Apple Fingerprint Sensor Customers in 2013 (MacRumors)

A Korean newspaper claims Apple's latest acquisition has informed its customers that its fingerprint sensor tech won't be offered to them anymore starting next year. This has companies like Samsung and HP scrambling to find alternatives, but since AuthenTec -- and by extension, Apple -- owns a large segment of the fingerprint sensor IP, essentially they may all be out of luck.

There's not yet any reliable information on what Apple plans to do with AuthenTec's technology. Wide-eyed claims of last-minute NFC additions to the iPhone 5 based on AuthenTec fingerprint sensors failed to pan out, and Apple's execs have indicated they're not particularly interested in NFC at this time.

iPhone 5 shortage reportedly a result of Apple's in-cell displays (AppleInsider)

Some analyst says the new display tech in the iPhone 5 is the primary reason Apple's suppliers can't manufacture handsets quickly enough to meet demand. This sounds suspiciously similar to rumors from weeks before the handset's debut which said essentially the same thing.

Considering the huge, worldwide demand for the iPhone 5, it's probably a combination of factors keeping supplies (relatively) low rather than one single bottleneck. Most of the components in the iPhone 5 are all new, so it doesn't benefit from any of the production scalability that the iPhone 4S did. It certainly doesn't help matters that all over the world people are climbing over one another and selling their grandparents on eBay to be able to buy this supposedly "disappointing" smartphone.

Rumor: Apple ordering parts for new product made of carbon fiber (AppleInsider)

Macotakara claims Apple has ordered a bunch of carbon fiber, too much for it to be used for engineering samples. My prediction: Tim Cook is using it to build his own race car. He certainly looks like the kind of guy who lives life a quarter mile at a time.

"For those ten seconds or less, I'm free."

Apple investigating inductive charging mat for docking portable devices (AppleInsider)

Despite Phil Schiller pretty much claiming that inductive charging is a solution looking for a problem, it seems like Apple is at least interested in patenting certain applications of the technology. This patent shows that devices could not only charge when placed on a charging pad, but also sync to iCloud or elsewhere, with the device's orientation determining what kind of syncing (if any) takes place.

In spite of the coolness factor, I agree with Schiller that inductive charging is more complicated than what we have now. For one, it's yet another thing you'd have to pack on a long trip. Given that you already have to pack a charger and a cable, then plug that charger into the wall, it doesn't seem practical.

Plus, try explaining inductive charging to your grandma. "Johnny, tell me again how I plug in my phone to give it more juice?"

"Lay it on the charging pad, Grandma."

"Watch your mouth, Johnny!"

Video of alleged 'iPad mini' mockup hits the web (AppleInsider)

Another week, another fake iPad that's somehow newsworthy. For the iPhone 5 we had enough parts leak out over the months before its debut that you could practically build one yourself if you knew the right suppliers. The iPad mini is supposedly going to debut at a "special event" sometime this month, and all we have so far are mockups. I'm still waiting for the smoking gun that finally kills my skepticism that this product actually exists.

Jenkins: TV Will Be Apple's Undoing (Wall Street Journal)

This isn't a rumor as such, just the most boneheaded analysis I've read in at least a couple of months. It was a slow week for rumors, so here it is.

"Apple had snafus under Steve Jobs," Holman Jenkins reminds us, and goes on to list them.

• "Antenna-gate" (sic) -- Not so much a "snafu" as "minor technical defect wildly blown out of proportion by the media."
• "MobileMe" -- Objection sustained.
• "The frequently obtuse Siri" -- Which didn't make it into users' hands until after Jobs's death, but who pays attention to minor details like the date of the biggest tech story of 2011?

"Its latest snafu, a faulty maps application installed on the new version of the iPhone, isn't a testament to the inferiority of Apple's current management," Jenkins says. He's right; it's a testament to people not knowing the difference between "application" and "data." Apple Maps, the app, is great. It's the map data that stinks -- or so I'm told, anyway. Unlike Google Maps, in all the months I've used Apple Maps in New Zealand the app has never once tried to steer me down a road that didn't actually exist, something that happened almost every time I used Google Maps. Apple's satellite photos for my town also aren't more than four years out of date like Google's are.

But I digress, and so does Jenkins. "Forget the maps farrago," he says, simultaneously making me reach for my dictionary and wonder why the Wall Street Journal's editors didn't excise those opening two paragraphs.

"Video-content owners aren't looking for a savior and ultimately won't be satisfied with anything less than an open ecosystem accessible by any device."

HAHAHAHAHA. Wait, are these the same content owners who region-protect DVDs and Blu-ray discs, georestrict content through Hulu and other services so it's not viewable outside the USA, and keep trying to tell me that it's illegal to rip content off a DVD I paid for so I can watch it on my iPad? Are these the same content owners who embrace DRM-laden physical formats like Blu-ray while shunning "open ecosystems" like worldwide digital distribution? Are these the same content owners who are so married to the current cable subscription system in the USA that they'll cling to it with their dying breaths, no matter how inconvenient, needlessly expensive and technologically backward it is for the rest of us?

Those content owners are looking for "an open ecosystem accessible by any device," Mr. Jenkins? Maybe on Earth-253 they are, but here on Earth-442, not so much.

"To maintain its position, [Apple] will have to focus more on giving its devices superb access to content it doesn't control and hasn't approved." Jenkins is conflating the idea of the App Store -- very much controlled and curated by Apple, who holds all the cards -- with the iTunes Store, which only contains as much content as media conglomerates are willing to dole out.

As one example of what seems to be going on in Jenkins's mind, the reason I couldn't buy the recent high-definition remaster of Star Trek: The Next Generation's first season off iTunes is because Apple doesn't want it there. Not Paramount, not Viacom. It's only available on Blu-ray, and that's all Apple's fault. Somehow. The first season of Game of Thrones wasn't released on iTunes for a full year after its TV airing, and I'm sure that's because Apple wants to make it difficult for people to watch the show if they don't subscribe to HBO.

"The time to worry will be if Apple's quixotic quest for TV leads it to block more realistic solutions that emerge on the open Internet." Jenkins, I suggest you travel outside of the USA and try to access literally any streaming video content from major US-based media sites while you're overseas so you can see how "worldwide" the Web really is.

I honestly didn't think anyone could get the situation this completely backwards, but Jenkins managed it. Apple is the villain keeping universal, all-access, anywhere, anytime media content off of my devices? It's only because I have a US-based iTunes account that I'm able to get timely paid, legal access to TV shows and movies here in New Zealand at all.

TV won't be Apple's "undoing," but it's also not likely the company's going to be able to do for TV what it did for computing, music, smartphones or tablets. That's because content owners are the ones standing in the way of progress, not Apple.

Rumor Roundup: Completely backwards originally appeared on TUAW - The Unofficial Apple Weblog on Mon, 01 Oct 2012 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.