Following Apple's introduction of a new "Space Gray" color to replace the slate color previously used on the iPhone 5 and the company's iPod lineup, many have wondered whether the iPad and iPad mini will be making similar color transitions when they are updated in the near future.
Photos of alleged next-generation iPad mini rear shells have leaked several times over the past several months, but all of the parts have been of the silver variety that is paired with a white front panel in current models.
But now Japanese parts retailer Moumantai has begun selling a space gray version of the part (via Nowhereelse.fr), suggesting that the new color will indeed replace the slate color seen on the original iPad mini.
A somewhat sketchy report from C Technology yesterday [Google Translate] had claimed that the next iPad mini will be coming in the current silver/white and new space gray color options, and today's photos support that claim.
The report also claimed that the full-size iPad will be arriving in the same three colors seen on the iPhone 5s: space gray/black, gold/white, and silver/white. Nearly all of the recent fifth-generation iPad shell leaks have been of the silver variety, but the very first leak back in January showed the part in the slate color used on the iPhone 5 and current iPad mini. It is certainly possible, however, that Apple altered its plans after that point and opted to shift all of its planned slate-colored products to the new space gray.
Apple is expected to update its iPad lineup within the next several months, most likely at a media event scheduled for as soon as next month in order to ensure the new models hit the market in time for the holiday shopping season. Much of Apple's Mac lineup is also due for updates, suggesting that the company may yet have a slew of product releases coming once interest in the upcoming iPhone 5s/5c launch begins to ebb.
If you've been following iPhone rumors over the last few years, you may remember reading reports that Apple flirted with the idea of introducing a super high-end "Ultra" model that would either replace its Pro Max device or sit above it in Apple's smartphone hirearchy. These reports appeared in the pre-launch iPhone 15 and iPhone 16 rumor cycles, but ultimately came to nothing. Now though, the...
Wednesday March 12, 2025 6:05 am PDT by Joe Rossignol
The upcoming iOS 18.4 update for the iPhone includes a smaller but meaningful improvement for Apple's in-car iPhone mirroring system CarPlay.
Specifically, CarPlay now shows a third row of icons, up from two rows previously. However, this change is only visible in vehicles with a larger center display. For example, a MacRumors Forums member noticed the change in a Toyota Tundra with a...
Tuesday March 11, 2025 3:26 am PDT by Tim Hardwick
Despite being released over two years ago, Apple's AirPods Pro 2 continue to dominate the wireless earbud market. However, with the AirPods Pro 3 expected to launch in 2025, anyone thinking of buying Apple's premium earbuds may be wondering if the next generation is worth holding out for.
Apart from their audio and noise-canceling performance, which are generally regarded as excellent for...
Apple is planning some of the "biggest iOS and macOS redesigns in its history," according to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman.
In his Power On newsletter today, Gurman reiterated that iOS 19 will have a visionOS-like design with more transparent interfaces:The new interfaces will adopt the design principles introduced in visionOS, the software for Apple's Vision Pro headset. That includes greater...
Saturday March 15, 2025 10:50 am PDT by Joe Rossignol
While the so-called "iPhone 17 Air" is not expected to launch until September, there are already plenty of rumors about the ultra-thin device.
Overall, the "iPhone 17 Air" sounds like a mixed bag. While the device is expected to have an impressively thin and light design, rumors indicate it will have some compromises compared to iPhone 17 Pro models, including only a single rear camera, a...
Apple today launched a new app called Surveyor, which is designed to allow users to collect data like images of street signs and roadside details to improve Apple Maps.
The app is not public facing and appears to be for use with companies that Apple partners with to assign mapping tasks. Downloading the app and opening it up directs users to "Open Partner App" to choose a task. Tapping on...
Apple is reassuring employees on the Siri team who may be feeling demotivated by the recent Siri delays and the bad press surrounding the company's decisions, reports Bloomberg.
In a Siri team meeting, Apple senior director Robby Walker acknowledged that employees might be feeling "angry, disappointed, burned out and embarrassed" following the Siri delay, but he praised the hard work of...
Apple is set to release iOS 18.4 in early April, bringing further refinements to Apple Intelligence features, a neat new capability to iPhone 15 Pro devices, new emoji, and more.
While not quite as packed with new features as Apple's preceding iOS 18 point releases, iOS 18.4 still introduces enhancements that aim to make your iPhone smarter and more intuitive. Below, we've listed 12 new...
Thursday March 13, 2025 4:02 pm PDT by Juli Clover
Apple made a major misstep with the way that it handled the delay of Apple Intelligence features for Siri, Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo said today. Announcing the delay through a press statement was a bad decision, and Apple should instead have gone through official channels.
Kuo referenced the well-known "Antennagate" PR crisis when the iPhone 4 launched in 2010, and the way that then Apple...
Awesome. I love the style of MacRumors, but once again...I read this on 9to5Mac and Cult of Mac hours ago... :(
I'll be honest, I stick with MacRumors because I really, really dislike 9to5Mac's web-site. It's horrible to look at. So I have accepted getting news a little later.
