Would signal return to old timetable

Apple is planning to announce the next-generation iPhone and a smaller iPad model at an event on September 12th, according to iMore sources. The new iPhone is then expected to launch on September 21st, but no release date has been mentioned for the new iPad. The latter is also true for a new iPod nano, which is also expected to premiere at the September 12th presentation.

A September launch would be earlier than has often been rumored, but would allow Apple to return to its usual fall product schedule. The company typically holds an iPod/iTunes-related event in early September, shipping new products roughly around the same time. In 2011, though, Apple decided to move that event to October, also incorporating the iPhone, which had previously only seen major updates in June or July.

There is no word from the iMore sources on a new iPod touch, although it is predicted that Apple will make some sort of upgrade. Last year the company made virtually no changes to the Touch beyond adding a white option. This year it may have to head in a new direction, since a smaller iPad could prove too close in terms of price and features.

by MacNN Staff