More

Jason Gilbert
jason.gilbert@huffingtonpost.com Become a fan of this reporter
GET UPDATES FROM Jason
 

This Week In Apple Rumors: iPad 3, iPad Mini, And Android's Siri

First Posted: 12/18/11 04:50 PM ET   Updated: 12/18/11 04:51 PM ET

Every week the numerous blogs covering the machinations of the Apple empire float tons of unconfirmed rumors, futuristic speculation, and questionably-sourced reports on what the company might be unveiling in the near or distant future. Let's take a look back at what these Mac blogs were excited about this week, from December 11 - 17. Check out last week's Apple rumors here, and for all the latest, follow me on Twitter here.

The iPad 3 Could Feature A 'Major Redesign!'
1  of  6
PLAY
FULLSCREEN
ZOOM
SHARE THIS SLIDE 
Just days after I published an article full of evidence that the iPad 3 was going to look very similar to the iPad 2, the Internet Apple rumor machine fired itself up from sleep and presented us this: A picture of what is supposedly a part in the next iPad 3, one that just might indicate a total redesign! (Sigh.)

What you are looking at (above) is a "microphone flex cable," reportedly from the iPad 3. The image was posted on Chinese parts retailer TVC-Mall. Here's what Mike over at Cydia Blog, the "#1 blog on jailbreak," thinks this photo indicates:

The new part, when compared with iPad 2, shows a different arrangement in internal circuitry, hinting a major re-design. The tail end of the part makes a "U-turn", whereas the iPad 2′s Microphone Mic Flex Cable makes almost 90-degree turn both ways. Except for few details, the leaked part so far doesn't offer a tantalizing tease.


I am inclined to believe him, as I am unskilled at the art of extrapolating an entire product's design based on an internal part I couldn't identify in a million years.

Rumors of a wholesale redesign of the iPad 3 are probably the last thing Apple wants in the days leading up to Christmas, especially given the company's stance that rampant rumormongering hurt sales of its iPhone in the months before the announcement of the iPhone 4S; and yet here we are, fantasizing about a totally different iPad 3, based on a supposed microphone flex cable.

Really, though, these are Apple rumors we're talking about. Why dream about what a product might look like based on a questionable internal part, when we could be dreaming about what a product might look like based on total speculation and wishful thinking? Read on for more!
MORE SLIDESHOWS NEXT >   |   < PREV
RATE IT!   |  
VOTE
Meh.
Excited!
CURRENT TOP 5 PICK YOUR OWN TOP 5
USERS WHO VOTED
NEW! CREATE YOUR OWN SLIDESHOW

FOLLOW HUFFPOST TECH

Every week the numerous blogs covering the machinations of the Apple empire float tons of unconfirmed rumors, futuristic speculation, and questionably-sourced reports on what the company might be unve...
Every week the numerous blogs covering the machinations of the Apple empire float tons of unconfirmed rumors, futuristic speculation, and questionably-sourced reports on what the company might be unve...
Related News On Huffington Post:
 

What's Your Reaction?
Inspiring
 Funny
 Obsolete
 Scary
 Must-Have
 Amazing
 Innovative
 Nerdy

More in Technology...


 
 
  • Comments
  • 223
  • Pending Comments
  • 0
  • View FAQ
Post Comment Preview Comment
To reply to a Comment: Click "Reply" at the bottom of the comment; after being approved your comment will appear directly underneath the comment you replied to.
View All
Favorites
Bloggers
Recency  | 
Popularity
Page: 1 2 3 4  Next ›  Last »  (4 total)
photo
HUFFPOST SUPER USER
GirlInNYC
A girl in NYC
293 Fans
 
10:16 PM on 12/19/2011
Will it look like the iPhone 5 that Never was?
Permalink  |
This user has chosen to opt out of the Badges program
photo
booker52
avid reader
1202 Fans
08:43 PM on 12/19/2011
iPad mini? Doesn't that exist already? An iPod???
Permalink  |
photo
HUFFPOST BLOGGER
Lowell Thompson
Artist, writer, recovering adman
177 Fans
12:24 PM on 12/19/2011
Whatever it is, I want one.

http://buythecover.com

BTW: I just hope, because of the Kindle Fire, it will cost less and/or do a lot more than past iPADs.
Permalink  |
photo
king soloman
104 Fans
11:55 AM on 12/19/2011
im still waiting for flexible screens
Permalink  |
photo
HUFFPOST COMMUNITY MODERATOR
J0E1
Phil Hill 2012
687 Fans
10:32 AM on 12/19/2011
How about the new apple commercial where they have Santa using siri to guide himself around the world... only if you listen close, he only asks for the weather in US cities because siri doesn't even work outside of the US LOL. I can't believe they had the nerve to claim that Santa would use a device feature that doesn't work for 9/10th of the worlds population on Christmas eve.
Permalink  |
photo
HUFFPOST SUPER USER
JohnTheMac
Now, why don't you go home and get your shine box?
164 Fans
01:09 PM on 12/19/2011
I can't believe you're being critical of a TV commercial featuring Santa Clause on the basis of being unrealistic! hahaha!
It is a "Beta" product right now. Thanks for promoting it though!
Permalink  |
thianar
1 Fans
06:03 PM on 12/19/2011
That is a funny comment if I ever heard one! Something my little 4 year old niece would say and make us all smile .
Permalink  |
HUFFPOST SUPER USER
Jim NLN
Obama 2012 and beyond!
350 Fans
09:36 AM on 12/19/2011
Think suppository!
Permalink  |
This user has chosen to opt out of the Badges program
photo
cuoi
The obstacle is the path
810 Fans
10:23 AM on 12/19/2011
I'm thinking but nothing coming out. Maybe I should work it out with a pencil?
Permalink  |
This user has chosen to opt out of the Badges program
photo
gaydood
Denied HC? goto PCIP.gov
3293 Fans
09:25 AM on 12/19/2011
they had ipod like gizmos in the movie dune in 1985
Permalink  |
HUFFPOST SUPER USER
Steven Travis
Just killing time
158 Fans
09:22 AM on 12/19/2011
Assuming the iPad 3 will be using the A6, don't look for said iPad to be available until Q3 of 2012. The whole tape out process of the A6 and it's availability should make it obvious to anyone with fab experience that there is little to no chance for the iPad 3 to be here earlier.
Permalink  |
photo
dmsdzinr
Progression wit a twist of sarcasm.
1479 Fans
09:13 AM on 12/19/2011
It is going to be very interesting to see what creativity, innovation and new products Apple comes up with post Steve Jobs.
Permalink  |
HUFFPOST SUPER USER
chairman1969
26 Fans
09:11 AM on 12/19/2011
I heard it will resemble a device largely composed of a screen surface where user can interact with the device
Permalink  |
This user has chosen to opt out of the Badges program
photo
cuoi
The obstacle is the path
810 Fans
10:26 AM on 12/19/2011
Next version will feature tactile feedback so that other appendages maybe used for interaction...
Permalink  |
photo
HUFFPOST SUPER USER
ThePericles
37 Fans
09:01 AM on 12/19/2011
I heard the iPad 3 will have attached hinged keyboard and wireless human interface pointing device that will allow "handsfree touchscreen!"

I am pledging to save every penny from my tip jar at the coffee shop to buy this baby!
Permalink  |
photo
HUFFPOST SUPER USER
Benbo
203 Fans
08:48 AM on 12/19/2011
Why use a picture of the Enterprise-C—the ship doomed to destruction by a Romulan fleet—when discussing Android?
Permalink  |
highlyqualified
267 Fans
08:40 AM on 12/19/2011
OMG! They are going to be BLACK and GOLD! Kewl!
Permalink  |
HUFFPOST SUPER USER
SeanMMasters
centrist
430 Fans
 
08:38 AM on 12/19/2011
There is nothing "radically different" facing the consumer here. Misleading headline at best.
Permalink  |
ingua2
9 Fans
08:10 AM on 12/19/2011
not really surprising to see higher res screens on laptops in general. It's funny that Apple is getting all the press for this while they didn't invent the higher res screens or the GPUs necessary for pushing higher resolutions. These will appear in generic LCDs prior to any tablet. Fact.
Permalink  |
photo
HUFFPOST COMMUNITY MODERATOR
J0E1
Phil Hill 2012
687 Fans
10:27 AM on 12/19/2011
Laptops actually used to offer very hi-res screens. The whole low-res craze has been a fairly new phenomenon for some reason. Probably to bring the costs down while still advertising them as "hi-def" (720) screens.
Permalink  |
 
Page: 1 2 3 4  Next ›  Last »  (4 total)