Apple uses new iOS beta to hide hardware

Apple as part of its iOS 5.1 beta 2 release has started deliberately masking the identities of future hardware. Following its showing the iPad 3 and iPhone 5, it now has numerous entries for models that would normally be years away, such as "iPad 9,3" or "Apple TV 5,1." It's presumed the entries will stay and could become active without necessarily tipping off beta testers.

The company regularly has to include references to future iOS hardware and Macs in its beta updates as it starts company testing. They don't necessarily reflect imminent launches but often give clues as to whether Apple expects a major revision, a minor one, or whether there will be multiple variants. [via 9to5]

by MacNN Staff