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Tomorrow is finally the big day; the day Apple enthusiasts have long waited to arrive. On Wednesday morning, we’ll finally find out what surprises — or lack thereof — Cupertino has in store. While rumors surrounding the event have swirled ever faster, tomorrow brings the opportunity to get ahold of some concrete news. The iPhone 5? Crazy iOS 6 features? New iPods? Here’s a rundown of what might await in the morning, live from San Francisco.
The iPhone 5 Gets Taller, Runs Faster
If Apple somehow doesn’t reveal the sixth-gen iPhone tomorrow, everyone’s head will explode. Based on months of speculation, alleged photo leaks, and a ridiculous number five-shaped shadow on the event invite, it’s safe to say our skulls will stay intact. But what features will the new iPhone have?
The concept of a widesceen display seems fairly obvious at this point. As noted by DisplayMate’s Dr. Soneira, the iPhone would benefit from the 16:9 aspect ratio, as well as improved resolution. A big part of Apple’s presentation tomorrow should focus on why the iPhone is still the device to beat in the smartphone marketplace. A 4-inch — or even 4.5-inch — Retina Display screen and slick aluminum back are a great way to turn heads back to the iPhone.
Image render: Martin Hajek
But there’s more to the iPhone than just external appearance. Internally, expect to see an upgrade from the iPhone 4S A5 chip. While rumors have mentioned a possible A6 processor, the A5X — as seen in the new iPad — seems a bit more likely. The front-facing camera could get an update as well, increasing quality for the new FaceTime over cellular function.
Speaking of data networks; there’s some indication the iPhone 5 will feature 4G LTE. Since the third-gen iPad already offers LTE, there’s a good chance the new iPhone will, too. Additionally, look for Verizon, Sprint, and AT&T to all offer 4G LTE plans. Of course, Samsung may not be too happy about any of this.
Keeping with Apple’s release history, iPhone 5 pre-orders should start tomorrow, with an official street date of September 21. Oh, and your old 30-pin iPhone charger? Yeah, it may not work anymore.
iOS 6 Is ‘The Best Mobile Operating System In The Universe…And Android Stinks’
OK, so maybe Tim Cook won’t say it exactly that way. But there’s no doubt Apple will spend some time tomorrow morning touting the increased excellence of iOS. Expect to hear a lot of talk about Passbook, Apple’s new virtual wallet app, and don’t be surprised if there’s mention of partnerships with large retailers. But don’t expect an NFC chip.
Image courtesy GigaOM
Moreover, we’ll probably hear some discussion of other first-party apps, especially anything replacing Google-based standbys like Maps and YouTube. The two companies sort of don’t like one another right now.
Siri should receive a quality update in iOS 6. If Apple can reveal a more intelligent personal assistant, the possibilities just grow exponentially. In particular, advanced voice recognition could be shown with new applications like integration into motor vehicle systems.
New iPod Touch: It’s Taller, Too!
Apple’s fall events have showcased iPod improvements in the past, so there’s a very good chance we’ll see some new models on September 12. Expect a widescreen, similar to the iPhone 5, and a 1136×640 resolution. According to 9to5Mac, the slightly updated iPod Shuffle will feature eight different colors. The iPod Nano may feature a taller screen — but we’re still talking “nano,” here.
Image courtesy iLounge
Some Unexpected Surprises Sure Would Be Nice
Who knows? Maybe we’ll see confirmation of the long-rumored iPad Mini tomorrow — but probably not. An October announcement still makes more sense, with Apple putting a bigger spotlight on its 7-inch tablet competitor.
