It’s one of the most exciting parts of a new iOS beta being seeded to developers, and people just love digging around for it. "It" is any kind of reference to a new iDevice or Apple TV hidden inside the latest betas to ship out of Cupertino, and iOS 5.1 beta 1 has thrown up a few interesting tidbits already.
First off, we have the new iPhone, and it’s set to start off the rumors-mill all over again, and we’re only a couple of months into the iPhone 4S lifecycle!
Dubbed as the iPhone 5,1 internally by Apple, the next iPhone will feature an all-new internal make-up. We know this thanks to the jump from the code of 4,1 which was the iPhone 4S. Using the prefix of ‘4’ would have meant a similar bump in specs, but with the change in code number 9to5Mac believes we are in for a completely new handset. That aluminum teardrop-shaped affair may be on the cards after all.
The iPhone isn’t the only one to see a new model appear in iOS 5.1, either. The iPad is also showing a new version number with the iPad 2,4 putting in an appearance. The belief here is that this is a Sprint CDMA version of the iPad 2, which would obviously make sense now the carrier is stocking Apple’s iPhones.
Also there are references to an iPad 3,3 – just to prove that Apple will make another iPad after the iPad 2. You could never have guessed that, right?
Apple’s hobby is also getting a refresh according to the numbers popping up in iOS 5.1.
The Apple TV, much loved by geeks but seemingly an after thought inside Apple HQ is represented by the new codename of ‘J33’ which suggests that it is further along the development cycle than a simple number. Apple’s iPad was called the K48, while the iPhone 4S was dubbed the N94. Apple seems to be getting ready to bring a new Apple TV to market, but will they give it more of a chance this time around?
While the news that Apple is working on new products isn’t exactly a surprise, it is interesting to see so many pop up in a .1 release of iOS. Why were they not present in iOS 5? It is possible Apple didn’t want the numbers to be out there for so long, knowing people would spot them, but at this point is Apple really trying to keep the fact they are making new products a secret?
So, let the rumors commence once again!
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