This Week's Apple Rumors, Ranked From Dumbest to Most Plausible - Wired

If you drop your iPhone 5c, you may be able to replace specific parts like the screen at your local Apple Store in the near future. Photo: Josh Valcarcel/WIRED

Each week, there are dozens of Apple rumors, reports, and patent filings that hint at what’s coming out of Cupertino next. Some are legit, but most are totally bogus. We’ve parsed the week’s rumors, ranking them in order from “utterly ridiculous” to “duh, of course.” First up…

DON’T COUNT ON IT: Apple Slimming Its Mystical iWatch Using Bluetooth LE-Like Technology

A patent application published Thursday indicates that Apple could be looking for new ways to make its purported wrist-worn mobile device thinner. Specifically, Apple could do this (partially) by using intermittent signals delivered similarly to Bluetooth LE, the new standard that uses around half the power of traditional Bluetooth. This could mean a smaller battery could be used in the device — and batteries are a large part of what makes our gadgets chunkier than they otherwise would be. The patent itself doesn’t mention a watch or wearable, it references only a “device.” Bluetooth LE (aka Bluetooth 4.0) is already baked into a number of Apple products. Still, this remains a rumor based on a patent linked to a product that still doesn’t exist. So… yeah.

ASK AGAIN LATER: Apple Adding New Partners for iOS Device Production

A report from the Wall Street Journal says that Apple is going to pick up some new manufacturing partners to help ease production stresses on iOS products. It will work with Wistron and Compal Communications for producing the iPhone 5c and assembling the iPad mini, respectively, as Apple shifts iPhone 5c orders away from Foxconn and Pegatron in the wake of all those nasty labor issue reports that have been cropping up in the past few years.

ASK AGAIN LATER: Retina iPad Mini Launch Delayed Because of LCD Burn-In

Why did Apple decide to release the iPad Air shortly after its last media event, and wait to ship the iPad mini till late November? According to a report from Korea’s ETNews.com, it’s because the LCD burn-in issues in the device’s IGZO Retina display from Sharp. Apparently the problem isn’t actually visible to the human eye, but since Apple has such rigorous standards for its Retina displays, the burn-in is causing low yield rates. LG and Sharp are reportedly splitting Retina display production duties for this tablet 60-40.

SIGNS POINT TO YES: Apple Stores to Start Offering On-Site Repairs for New Models

Sources with 9to5Mac indicate that Apple Stores will soon start administering some repairs on-site for the iPhone 5s and 5c. This means, should you happen to drop your just-purchased iPhone 5s and crack the screen, you don’t need to fork over hundreds to completely replace the device. In-store staff would be able to just swap out the touchscreen display. Screen replacements will reportedly run $150 unless you’ve got AppleCare, in which case damage repairs are free. Other fixes Apple Stores would be able to handle: replacing the speakers, rear-facing camera, volume buttons, and vibrating motor, as well as the home button on the 5c. Some of this stuff has already started showing up in a few select Apple Stores. With a large number of Apple Stores closing early next weekend, maybe staffers are getting trained on these new repair procedures as part of their quarterly meetings?

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