Mike Wuerthele
As has become customary with Apple event invitations, fans are dissecting the minimalistic graphic associated with its Sept. 7 keynote invitation, in a futile attempt to glean clues. In reality, all of the guesses are probably just some form of wish fulfillment.
Initial over-analysis of the invitation spotted heavy bokeh, or selective out-of-focus areas, on the individual elements in the picture that make up the upper third of the Apple logo from the leaf down. Some believe the graphic could hint at features made possible by the dual-lens camera suspected to be in the "iPhone 7 Plus."
The dual lenses said to be on the 5.5-inch "iPhone 7" model could perform computational calculation of depth with one shot, allowing for selective application of a bokeh digital filter over images.
Weight is also being given to the Sept. 7 date, suggesting that the choice of scheduling reinforces that new releases will in fact be called the "iPhone 7." Some rumors referred to the new device as the "iPhone 6SE" as recently as the middle of August, because of lack of design changes.
The choice of the word word "see" is being thought of by some as a possible reference to iris scanning for authentication. That's a feature rumored to be included in a future iPhone, but not necessarily this year's "iPhone 7."
Finally, AppleInsider forum user "TurboPGT" humorously suggested that the graphic could represent the three products that Apple is introducing, with the large group of bubbles the iPhone, and the smaller group being the Apple Watch. The "small, lone greyed-out bubble" in the back, they joked, could represent the Mac — "all but forgotten."
However, new Mac hardware is not expected to launch at this month's event, instead waiting until later this fall.
AppleInsider will be attending the release event, scheduled for 10 a.m. Pacific, 1 p.m. Eastern on Sept. 7 at the Bill Graham Civic Auditorium in San Francisco.
In April, Apple's WWDC 2016 announcement had 12 lines of text, all seemingly relating to something. In hindsight, the individual lines were little more than marketing blurbs, not even pointing to specific features or apps available on iOS or macOS.
Regardless of picture dissection, expected at the event is the "iPhone 7" family of phones, rumored to be nearly identical to the iPhone 6 design language, lacking an analog headphone jack, have a haptic feedback home button, an "A10" processor with "M10" motion co-processor, and a dual-lens camera on the "iPhone 7 Plus."
Also expected is a second-generation Apple Watch with integrated GPS, allowing for pace and distance tracking during exercise without the need for a connected iPhone.
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19 Comments
That greyed-out bokeh bubble is Apple car coming over the horizon.
"[Iris scanning] That's a feature to be included in a future iPhone" - way to promulgate half-a$$ rumors as fact. There's no credible evidence that Apple is even working on Iris scanning. And, what's more, it's not even clear that it's a desirable feature! As I pull my iPhone out of my pocket, I touch the home button with my thumb so, by the time the phone is in front of me, it's unlocked and ready. Why would I replace this efficient authentication mechanism with something that is less so? Iris scanning has the stench of "gimmick" written all over it, as far as I'm concerned. What, exactly, is the reward for the user? An increase in security of a couple percent? If TouchID is not secure enough, I'd guess Apple is working hard on a next-generation of that technology rather than bother with something as cumbersome and unreliable as iris scanning (bright sunlight or no light at all give it trouble, so do all manner of glasses).
Touch ID is great!
No need for any "features" that was just released as a gimmick by Samsung!
A few people will probably get their eyeballs pulled right out of their sockets!
I'd rather lose a thumb than an eyeball, but hey, that's just me! :#
I received a Note 7 for work. The Iris scanning is not that good and I turned it off almost immediately. TouchID on the iPhone is really fast, so fast they had to announce iOS 10 features to allow you to see the screen. Iris scanning is not necessary imo.
I wish sites like AI would start to realize that rumors become facts in the digital universe. Then when the new iDevice is released without the rumored feature or function the conversation turns to underwhelming disappointment, depression, and predictions of doom. But on the other hand Apple has never lifted a finger to quash any rumor so they must understand and accept it. Now if Phil Schiller were to come out publicly and say, “No, the new iDevice will NOT have an iris scanner this time around” I suppose the reaction would be the same anyway. Sigh.