Edible Apple

Not one to sit around and bask in the glow of previous successes, Apple appears to have a slew of new iOS devices prepped for release over the next few months. Citing a highly reliable source, iLounge earlier today posted a number of interesting nuggets pertaining to upcoming products Apple has in the pipeline. While iLounge’s track-record isn’t perfect, they typically have a significantly higher batting average than most. So with that disclaimer out of the way, here are the juicy details.

iPods – Though the iPod may not be the financial lynchpin for Apple that it once was, it’s far from being a goner. Apple reportedly has three new iPod models in the works – a new iPod Nano, a new iPod Touch, and perhaps a small touchscreen-based iPod Shuffle. While Apple typically announces refreshed iPods during its annual September music events, Jeremy Horwitz of iLounge notes that one model may see the light of day as early as this month.

iPad – In line with other rumors we’ve seen floating around, Horwitz writes that Apple is working on a smaller 7-inch iPad poised for release either later this year or in early 2011.

iPhone – Now here’s where things get interesting. iLounge writes, somewhat skeptically, that Apple’s 5th gen iPhone will be released in early 2011 as a result of the antenna controversy that’s plagued the iPhone 4.

It’s unknown whether this will be a repackaging of iPhone 4 components in a different shell or something more substantial. We reiterate: it’s hard to believe. But as with so many seemingly far-fetched early reports, it’s not impossible.

This seems somewhat unlikely. Not only would it appear that Apple is conceding that the iPhone 4 was poorly designed, but it might result in a early adopter backlash amongst iPhone 4 owners.

iPhone Bumpers – Just a few weeks ago, Steve Jobs begrudgingly announced that Apple would be giving away free iPhone Bumpers to all iPhone 4 owners, and always looking to save a pretty penny when possible, “the company is currently working on a less expensive all-silicone version of the Bumper to give away after September.”

Interestingly enough, iLounge’s source notes that Apple had, at one point, considered giving iPhone Bumpers away with every iPhone 4 purchase, though it remains unclear if the Bumpers “were originally intended for glass protection or antenna coverage.” This also seems somewhat dubious, but such is life in the Apple rumor mill.