iOS 4.1 beta pointing to iPad revision, 'unknown' product?
updated 04:15 pm EDT, Thu August 19, 2010
iPod touch likely getting iPhone 4 trimmings
Apple is doing internal testing of iOS 4.1 with three new products, an AppleInsider source claims. As in other versions of iOS, the latest beta of v4.1 contains "configuration descriptors" for USB devices. One of the devices as listed as "iPod 4,1," clearly referencing a fourth-generation iPod touch.
The player is expected to get many of the features of the iPhone 4, including an A4 processor, a Retina Display and FaceTime support, the last backed by dual cameras. No indication has emerged either way for other wishlist features, such as greater storage or a built-in GPS receiver. When the iPhone 4 was launched in June, it continued to use the same 16 and 32GB capacities as the iPhone 3GS.
More unusual in the descriptors is "iProd 2,1," likely referring to a new iPad, since the current design was at one pointed hinted at with "iProd 1,1." The major question is whether the product might be an updated 9.7-inch model, or a rumored 7-inch variant that would be cheaper and lighter. The latter may be based on ARM's Cortex-A9 processor, and double RAM to 512MB.
The beta finally includes a descriptor for something listed only as "unknownHardware" with the product ID 20547. It could potentially be a 7-inch iPad, or else the reported reincarnation of the Apple TV as the iTV. The latter is anticipated to use iOS and support apps, and even come equipped with an A4.
An announcement of several new devices is expected in September, when Apple traditionally refreshes iPods.
Fresh-Faced Recruit
Joined: Feb 2009
not a 7 inch iPad
It doesn't make sense to me that if Apple would drop the current sized iPad so soon, so if there is a seven inch iPad then there would have to be two different sized models of iPads in the next generation.
I don't see any reason why these wouldn't both be tested side by side and at the same time. So until "iProd 2, 2" shows up as well, I'm gonna say that "iProd 2,1" most likely refers to the same size iPad as this year.