In this stage of the rumor cycle, we typically see leaked photos and parts of the forthcoming iPhone. And while we've been seeing them for the low-cost iPhone with a polycarbonate case in multiple colors, we've seen much less related to the supposed iPhone 5S. All we've heard it it's rumored to be nearly the same as the iPhone 5, but with changes "under the hood." This is a bit fishy. And this fact lends credibility to a rumor reported yesterday by Bloomberg that at this late stage Apple has decided to go with a 4.3-inch display on the iPhone 5S. Citing the Taiwanese newspaper TheCommercial Times, Bloomberg said this change could delay the introduction of the iPhone 5S until the end of the year. According to TheCommercial Times, Apple had originally planned to launch the new model in October.
In addition, DigiTimes, a leading purveyor of rumor, recently reported that Apple's manufacturers are having problems producing the fingerprint sensor that's expected to be part of the iPhone 5S. This, too, could factor into Apple's decision to delay the introduction of the iPhone 5S.
So it's starting to appear that in September we'll see a new low-cost multicolored iPhone, a new 9.7-inch iPad that's thinner, lighter, and shaped more like the iPad mini, and possibly a new version of the iPad mini that may be thinner but still won't have a retina display.
What else will we see this fall? The appearance of an iWatch is unlikely. Apple's foray into wearable computing will likely happen in 2014. Also, it's unlikely that we'll see an Apple HDTV or a TV service from Apple, as many had hoped. The New York Times reported yesterday that Apple is focusing on partnerships with cable companies such as Time Warner. Apparently, the collaboration would entail Apple providing a new interface for cable TV channels — one light years ahead of what's currently available. BUT, you'd still need to be subscribed to a cable service. Everyone had been hoping that Apple would roll out its own a la carte TV service, in which you just pay for the channels that you actually watch. And Apple was rumored to be trying to achieve this. However, the cable companies weren't going for it.
The question therefore remains: When will we see something new from Apple? A low-cost colored iPhone will no doubt create a splash. But everyone keeps waiting for the Next Big Thing — the game changer, just as the Macintosh, iPod, iPhone, iTunes, and iPad were game changers.