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.
Wednesday April 29, 2026 11:31 am PDT by Juli Clover
Apple has all but given up on the Vision Pro after the M5 model failed to revitalize interest in the device, MacRumors has learned. Apple updated the Vision Pro with a faster M5 chip and a more comfortable band in October 2025, but there were no other hardware changes, and consumers still weren't interested.
The Vision Pro has been criticized for its high price tag and its uncomfortable...
While the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max are not launching until September, there are already plenty of rumors about the devices.
It was initially reported that the iPhone 18 Pro models would have fully under-screen Face ID, with only a front camera visible in the top-left corner of the screen. However, the latest rumors indicate that only one Face ID component will be moved under the...
Thursday April 30, 2026 8:40 am PDT by Joe Rossignol
In a social media post this week, Bloomberg's Mark Gurman reiterated that Apple is planning to release new AirPods with cameras "for Siri."
Last month, Gurman said these AirPods will likely be priced above the current AirPods Pro 3, which Apple sells for $249. As a result, he said Apple is likely considering using "AirPods Ultra" branding for the camera-equipped AirPods.
"AirPods Ultra"...
