Apple To Refresh Entire Line Of iDevices Adding Mini-Dock At September Event?
by Joe White
August 6, 2012
Apple could be planning on refreshing its entire line of iDevices at the company's fall event, adding new, miniaturized dock connectors, according to iMore.
For a while now, we've been expecting Apple to launch the sixth-gen iPhone in September or October, and recent reports have indicated that this new model could launch with a 19-pin (or even an eight-pin) dock connector. It is speculated that the move, which will render a lot of iDevice accessories redundant for sixth-gen iPhone-adopters - unless a suitable adapter launches - will be made in order to free-up important space inside the smartphone.
Now, iMore - citing reliable sources - claims that this new dock connector will make its way into Apple's entire line of iDevices this September, including the anticipated iPad mini and the standard 9.7-inch iPad model already available. Of course, if such a tablet as the iPad mini becomes available later this year, it would make sense for the Cupertino, Calif. company to grace it with the small-size dock many are expecting to launch with the sixth-gen iPhone. But equally, a refreshed third-gen iPad (or even a fourth-gen model) has been suggested by a couple of sources.
Typically, Apple used its September event to talk about the company's line of iPods. This year is said to be no different, with a sixth-geneneration iPod touch - that is said to mirror the sixth-gen iPhone in screen-size, processor power and internal specs - expected to be announced soon. If Apple indeed launches a small-size dock with its new iPhone, it wouldn't surprise us if the iPod touch (along with the company's other iPod devices) also sports the same 19- or eight-pin dock connector.
All in all, the only aspect of iMore's report we'd consider to be somewhat unexpected would be the refreshed 9.7-inch iPad. Enough rumors have pointed towards the launch of an iPad mini, iPod refreshes (at the very least, iPod touch refreshes) are generally a given, and we're all practically certain that Apple will launch its sixth-gen in the near future.
If a new, small-size dock connector is indeed on the cards, it would of course make sense for Apple to add it to its 9.7-inch iPad as soon as possible. The only question - if such a dock launches - is whether the company will wait until March, and for the launch of the fourth-gen iPad, before doing this.
Thoughts?
Source: iMore