Hrmpf reports on Apple's latest patent application which depicts the previous iPod mini casing but with particular attention paid to the materials used in the enclosure.
According to the patent application, Apple suggests the use of Zirconia as a radio-transparent material for part the enclosure:
A portable computing device capable of wireless communications, the portable computing device comprising: an enclosure that surrounds and protects the internal operational components of the portable computing device, the enclosure including a structural wall formed from a ceramic material that permits wireless communications through.
Consideration for radio-transparent material is to allow cellular/mobile phone functionality from the device itself. This is simply further evidence that Apple has been actively considering wireless integration with current iPod devices.
Current iPhone rumors suggest a target date of the first half of 2007 for the possibility of such a device.
Thursday June 18, 2026 2:17 am PDT by Tim Hardwick
We're only three months out from the launch of Apple's premium next-generation smartphone lineup, and while we're not expecting a sea change in terms of functionality, there are still several enhancements rumored to be coming to the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max.
One thing worth noting is that Apple is reportedly planning a major change to its iPhone release cycle this year, adopting a ...
Apple today detailed why five Apple Watch models will miss out on watchOS 27 and the new Siri AI features that come with it.
The Apple Watch Series 6, 7, 8, SE 2, and the original Apple Watch Ultra will not receive watchOS 27, and will only get basic security updates going forward. With the update, Apple is effectively dropping three years' worth of device support in a single software...
Apple last week unveiled five new apps, with four announced at WWDC 2026 alongside its upcoming fall software updates, one released in beta for developers, and one released independently by its subsidiary Claris.
Siri AI App
One of the biggest announcements of WWDC 2026 was Siri AI, a ground-up rebuild of Apple's voice assistant that for the first time comes with a dedicated standalone...
