Rumors

Back in April, PocketGamer claimed Apple secretly met with developers at the annual Game Developers Conference to discuss production of an unnamed iOS "joypad". It was then discovered at the Worldwide Developers Conference on Monday, that Apple had added MFi (Made for iOS) game controller support to iOS 7. Apple followed up the MFi announcement by holding a 45-minute long session on Tuesday, where they showed developers app frameworks and hardware mock-ups for third-party iOS controllers, according to Apple Insider.

The event was entitled "Integrating with Game Controllers", and Apple revealed that both Logitech and Moga were already collaborating on some prototypes. Apple also showed two mock-ups of a "form-fitting" design, and a standalone device for both the iPhone and iPad. Both controllers featured the standard D-pad and dual analog sticks seen in most home console controllers these days. The form-fitting model turns the iPhone into a gamepad that and frees up space on its smaller display, and the standalone mock-up is a wireless device that does not need to connect to the iPhone or iPad to work. Both controller mock-ups featured a dedicated pause button, pressure-sensitive buttons and non-drifting D-pads.

UPDATE: The iTweakiOS blog accusing Apple of throttling data speeds has been removed, and Kevin Fitchard of GIGaom has debunked the rumor.

Joseph Brown from iTweakiOS, the developers behind the T-Mobile, AT&T and Sprint carrier hacks, claims Apple is working with wireless carriers to slow down the data speeds of certain iOS devices. In a very detailed and long blog post, Brown explains why iPhones are being "out-performed by Android devices," and why he thinks his recent carrier hacks have been able to deliver increased data speeds. Brown says both "Apple and the carriers have implemented coding to purposely slow down or limit the data speeds" a device can achieve.

Brown posted several examples of "throttle coding" (pictured above) from AT&T, Verizon and Sprint, while noting "T-Mobile is the exception" to the throttling accusation. Brown doesn't claim to know why Apple and the carriers are limiting data speeds, he just says they are.

There doesn't seem to be a need for multicolored iPhones since most people prefer to use a case, but that hasn't stopped the rumor mill from insisting they're a possibility. The Japanese blog Macotakara claims both the rumored iPhone 5S, and low-cost iPhone, will be available in an array of rainbow-like colors this fall.

According to the translated report, the low-cost iPhone will ship in white, pink, green, blue, and yellow-orange, and the so-called iPhone 5S will be available in the standard black and white, plus green and gold. A previously leaked image of two rumored iPhone 5S nanoSIM trays also suggests that the new handset will be available in gray.

Tired of fingerprint scanner rumors? Well get used to them, because it looks like fingerprint sensors are going to be the big iPhone rumor this year. According to the Taiwanese website TechNews, the next-generation iPhone will feature a sapphire crystal capacitive touch home button with fingerprint scanning technology. The iPhone 5 iSight camera is also made with sapphire crystal to cut down on scratches. Using the same material for the home button would help keep the fingerprint sensor intact and functional.

TechNews also claims that the next-generation iPhone will be all small upgrade from the iPhone 5, and will feature a 4-inch display. The Taiwanese website's supply chain sources believe that the so-called "iPhone 5S" will be released sometime in August alongside the rumored budget iPhone. Previous rumors have also suggested that the new iPhone will feature a new 13 megapixel camera with a larger rear flash, and it will be available in an iPod touch-like array of colors.

Next-generation iPhone rumors have been scarce and underwhelming this year. The possibility that Apple will release an all-plastic budget iPhone is not really interesting to those who already own an iDevice, and rumors about fingerprint technology isn't really turning many heads. The latest leak, two purported "iPhone 5S" nanoSIM trays posted by Cult of Mac, is not helping create any iPhone mania either.

It is hard to believe Apple would release gold and gray iPhone models. However, Cult of Mac points out that the iPhone 5 nanoSIM trays are silver and black to match the device's color. A gold iPhone would be pretty tacky, and no one is clamoring for a gray smartphone. There has been mention that Apple will offer the next-generation iPhone in an array of different colors like the iPod, but I don't think gold and gray is what people had in mind.

When it comes to the iPhone camera, the hardware has remained basically the same since the iPhone 4S launch. That's set to change based on information from a credible report detailing the next generation camera to be featured on the iPhone 5S. Tinhte.vn claims its sources at Wonderful Saigon Electrics have the inside scoop on new camera modules they're manufacturing for Apple.

A jump in resolution from the current eight megapixel CMOS image sensor to a 13 megapixel version on the iPhone 5S will be a significant change. Besides higher resolution, the new cameras are said to have better low light performance for improved night shooting. This could be an important distinction for Apple, considering smartphone and camera manufacturers alike are striving to compete on this front.

It goes without saying that mysterious photo leaks from anonymous sources can't always be trusted. Apple itself has been known to develop and test several prototypes before deciding which model to put into production for the masses, so even legitimate leaks don't mean much. Even so, Tactus claims this photo depicts the back of the upcoming budget iPhone coming later this year.

Analysts and the rumor mill have been talking about a less expensive iPhone model for some time, which would presumably make it possible for Apple to further increase the market share of the handset. Not only could a cheaper iPhone make the device more accessible to more people, it would certainly lower production costs for Apple while introducing the App Store and iTunes to more paying customers.

The iPhone will play a "prominent role" at today's T-Mobile "Uncarrier" event being held in New York City, according to CNET. T-Mobile is expected to use the iPhone to showcase its new no-contract service plans which were rolled out over the weekend.

The carrier hopes its new no-subsidy model will attract customers since they can pay for smartphones and data in smaller monthly installments. This will allow customers to avoid restrictive two-year contracts and costly data plans by paying for new devices such as the iPhone 5 themselves. T-Mobile is also expected to roll out its new 4G LTE network on Tuesday.

I don't know if it's due to a lack of interest, or lack of information, but next generation iPhone rumors have been scarce this year. However, one rumor that has been consistent is that the next generation iPhone will feature a fingerprint sensor. Apple is purportedly working with Chipbond Science and Technology to make the fingerprint sensor a reality, according to the China Times.

The Home button will be transformed into a fingerprint scanner, which will allow users to easily enter passwords or authorize purchases with just the push of a button. This will be a lot easier than having to enter a password every time you want to access your phone, or buy an app, but I doubt Big Brother conspiracy theorists will be big fans.

Apple's low-cost iPhone will feature "a 4-inch screen, like the iPhone 5, a bottom like the latest iPod touch, and a shape that’s most similar to the iPod classic," according to iLounge's Jeremy Horwitz. The phone will be comprised mostly of plastic like a previous rumor suggested, and it will feature the same sensor, camera, and button arrangement as the iPhone 5. The low-cost iPhone 5 will also sport a Gorilla Glass screen, "pill-shaped" volume buttons, and Lightning port.

Here's Horwitz's description of the new phone:

"Apple’s budget housing looks closest to the iPod classic in shape, though not in materials. Unlike the plastic iPhone 3G/3GS, which featured soft curves on all sides, the budget iPhone’s curves start and end at flat surfaces, so each side and the back are flat..."