Each week, there are dozens of rumors, reports, and patent filings that hint at what’s coming out of Cupertino next. Some are legit, but many are totally bogus. As always, we’ve parsed the rumors, ranking them in order from "utterly ridiculous" to "duh, of course." First up…
ABSOLUTELY NOT: Apple Working With Swatch On iWatch
On Wednesday, the rumor mill was abuzz with word that Apple was working with iconic watchmaker Swatch and other big name watch companies on an upcoming product line of watches ranging in style from "geek to chic." Partnerships with names like Swatch and Timex would give Apple's wearable some clout among watch wearers, and an added dose of expertise in terms of design (although Apple has hired a number of folks from both the fashion and health tech worlds in recent years to reportedly work on this project). But alas, on Thursday the Swatch Group issued a statement denying the rumor, saying that while it's supplied components like integrated circuits to smartphone makers in the past, it is not collaborating with Apple on a watch-device.
DON’T COUNT ON IT: Apple to Release 4.7-Inch and 5.5-Inch iPhones Separately
In an effort “to avoid competition between the two models,” Digitimes reports that Apple could launch its two differently-sized iPhones at separate times. According to supply chain sources, Apple “does not want to repeat the mistake it made” this past year when it launched the 5s and 5c at the same event. This report makes little sense because Apple has sold incredible numbers of both the 5s and 5c (the 5c even outsold the 5s last quarter). Also, supply chain folks just get orders for parts—Apple likely wouldn't share the reasoning for its decisions with them. What’s more reasonable? The two handsets could begin shipping at different times. We’ve been hearing the larger version is having some production issues.
ASK AGAIN LATER: Do Not Disturb Mode Could Extend to During Physical Activities
Currently, you can set Apple's Do Not Disturb mode to switch on at certain times of day when you don't want to be interrupted, like from midnight to 6 am when you're sleeping. You can also manually set it for occasions like meetings or movie watching. A newly published patent application shows that Apple's considering expanding Do Not Disturb to include times when you're clearly active. This would be a setting the user would control: Switch it on, and when the device detects a high degree of movements from its onboard sensors, it would hold all email, text, and call notifications until after the workout is done. This setting would have a certain time threshold that needs to be reached before it turns on so it doesn't mistake your run to catch the bus with your 6 mile morning jog. It could also be manually switched on or off. This idea sounds like a reasonable future extension of Do Not Disturb, but we'll have to wait and see if Apple ever decides to go with it or not.
SIGNS POINT TO YES: Apple’s Mobile Wallet Initiative Could Launch With the iPhone 6
Apple’s long-awaited mobile payments service could launch this fall alongside iOS 8 and the next iPhone, according to a report from The Information. It would let people use their iPhone to pay for things at retail stores by securely uploading their banking information to a virtual wallet. Credit card companies such as Visa are reportedly onboard. The Information says that Apple could use Bluetooth and Wi-Fi for payment transfers (the same tech that it currently uses for iBeacons), and not NFC, as some have reported in the past.
SIGNS POINT TO YES: Late October Launch for Yosemite, New Macs
Sources with 9to5Mac say that OS X Yosemite will debut in late October, roughly a month after we're expecting iOS 8 to drop. Right now, the OS is available in beta to developers and members of a public preview program. It's possible that Apple could precede the release with a media event, which could also bring with it the introduction of some new Macs. Apple is reportedly working on a 12-inch Retina display MacBook as well as a new desktop computer. The latter could be a monitor or an iMac, but it will have a 4K display. The MacBook may be a member of the Pro line, Air line, or a new line of notebooks. Also to take advantage of the new OS and hardware, Apple is reportedly preparing new versions of Final Cut Pro and iMovie. And despite close integration with iOS 8, Apple will release its desktop and mobile operating systems separately, a second report reasonably suggests.
WITHOUT A DOUBT: Apple Planning Mid-September iPhone Event
And thus it makes sense that Apple is ”tentatively planning” a mid-September media event to debut the next iPhone and iOS 8, according to sources with 9to5Mac. The second and third weeks of September are looking like the most popular options. If we didn’t see an iPhone event in September, I’d be very, very surprised.
