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

An array of photos, including ones of the next iPhone’s SIM tray, show the next phone could be coming in gold, gray, and silver colors, quite similar to the iPhone 5s. Josh Valcarcel/WIRED

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 we’re nearing the launch of the next iPhone, we’re starting to see lots of leaks. As always, we’ve parsed the rumors, ranking them in order from “utterly ridiculous” to “duh, of course.” First up…

ASK AGAIN LATER: Thinner MacBook to Arrive by 2016

Well this doesn’t sound like anything Apple would ever do: an even thinner MacBook? Digitimes reports Apple’s working on a thinner MacBook and will cease production of the non-Retina 13-inch MacBook Pro by the end of this year. Both of these sound like logical moves for the company, with or without word from supply chain sources, but 2016 is still a ways away.

ASK AGAIN LATER: Analyst Says 5.5-Inch iPhone Will Get Sapphire, Only Some 4.7-Inchers Will

Apple’s made a significant investment in sapphire displays, but has reportedly experienced production issues that may hinder the company’s ability to use them in the next iPhone. We heard before that the larger model iPhone may get these extra-hard displays. Analyst Matt Margolis echoed this rumor again this week, but also speculated that some 4.7-inch models may also get them.

ASK AGAIN LATER: Apple Prepping for Production of 12.9-Inch iPad

Bloomberg reports Apple is getting ready to start production on an extra-large 12.9-inch iPad early next year. Apple would likely target the slate at business and enterprise folks. The 12-inch iPad rumor has been circulating for a long time now, picking up steam earlier this year before settling down again as iPhone reports amped up.

ASK AGAIN LATER: Reversible USB Adapter Not Likely Debuting With New iPhone

A third-party vendor that works with Apple’s main Lightning cable supplier says a new cable may in the works, but it’s not being mass produced. Apparently samples of the cable have been sent from the supplier to Apple for approval, but as they haven’t been approved yet, neither has wide scale production, so they won’t be ready for a few more months yet.

SIGNS POINT TO YES: Next iPhone to Come in Silver, Gray, Gold

An array of photos, including ones of the next iPhone’s SIM tray, show the iPhone could be coming in gold, gray, and silver colors, quite similar to the iPhone 5s.

SIGNS POINT TO YES: Apple to Unveil a Wearable Sept. 9

After signs Apple wouldn’t be, Recode reported this week that Apple is in fact planning to unveil its wearable at the company’s media event Sept. 9. If true, I’d expect this to be just an announcement of the product—its shipping date would likely be holiday time frame at the earliest (Indeed, Recode elaborated it won’t ship until 2015). Apple’s done this before with the iPad and the Mac Pro.

WITHOUT A DOUBT: iPhone 6 Will Include an NFC Payment Platform

WIRED confirmed the next iPhone will in fact include a mobile payment platform, and it will incorporate NFC. Additionally, another parts leak points to NFC inclusion in the next iPhone, as well. We think Apple could also be utilizing iBeacons as part of its solution.

WITHOUT A DOUBT: Apple’s Next Event Happening Sept. 9

Invites went out on Thursday. ‘Nuff said.

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