Rumors

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.