A Foxconn insider with knowledge of Apple's product roadmap has purportedly leaked some interesting tidbits about iPhone 8, Siri speaker, AR glasses, e-Ink keyboard and future iMac design changes. The leaks have apparently surfaced via IAMA on Reddit from a user known as 'Foxconninsider,' who has been verified as a legitimate member of the forum by Reddit mods.
The leaker has given an extensively detailed info about a range of products which are currently under development by Apple. The positioning of the iPhone 8 Touch ID seems to be one such hot topic being addressed by the tipster on the Reddit thread.
iPhone 8 Touch ID
The rumoured design and ergonomics of iPhone 8 Touch ID has drawn a lot of debate and confusion in recent times, which is now being put to rest with the claim that the Touch ID will not be featured on the rear of the device. The tipster also claims that the iPhone 8 design mirrors the thinner vertical bezels on the iPhone 7 with more reinforced glass protection.
It is further reported that the fingerprint sensor will be retained below the main screen glass as rumoured earlier. Consequently, it is unlikely that the iPhone 8 will feature an integrated fingerprint sensor.
Siri speaker
Apple's personal voice assistant device aka Siri speaker is expected to be unveiled at the WWDC 2017 keynote on June 5. Ahead of the official launch, the tipster points out that the Siri speaker resembles a smaller trash can with Mac Pro-like design.
Although Apple had reportedly tested multiple designs of Siri speaker including one with a camera and another with a display, neither of those implementations will see the light of day at the forthcoming WWDC event, according to the latest rumours.
Redesigned iMacs
Moving on the redesigned iMacs, the 2018 models are expected to undergo a major overhaul with more glass construction and a dark black finish. We may also see the return of glowing Apple logo as a micro-LED panel.
e-Ink keyboard
MacBooks are expected to receive dynamic e-Ink keyboards with the 2018 model, besides featuring the OLED Touch Bar and the e-paper smart keys.
Apple's AR smart glasses
Apple's AR smart glasses are still in their early stages of testing and development with a proposed launch date set for 2019. The AR glasses will reportedly feature a cellulose acetate frame, multiple microphones for voice input, bone conduction modules, an accelerometer to detect motion, and a capacitive frame on one end to serve as volume control.
A quick summary of the leaks shared by the Foxconn insider about various Apple products can be found below:
Apple Smart AR Glasses
- Project likely delayed or 65 percent chance it is cancelled
- Featured a microphone, accelerometer, and capacitive frame for navigation and interaction
- Kopin NED Acetate frame
- Polarised or prescription lens with Zeiss smart optics
- Bone Conduction earpiece
- Aim was to bring AR to masses
- Unique design
- Flexible battery difficult to mass produce
MacBook and iMac
- Only minor internal hardware refresh for MacBook and iMac lineup in 2017
- 2018 MacBook to make use of e-paper display instead of traditional keyboard
- Different e-paper display prototypes were tested including a colour one from Qualcomm
- The OLED Touch Bar will continue to co-exist with the e-paper keyboard
- 2018 iMac to feature more glass and will be available in a new dark black/grey colour
- 2018 iMac to make use of microLED display and feature glowing Apple logo
iPhone 8/X
- Multiple prototypes in testing, including one with a radical new design featuring stainless steel chassis
- Design similar to that of iPhone 7 with more glass and smaller bezels
- Fingerprint scanner integrated into display
- Vertically aligned camera module at the rear
- Almost uniform top and bottom bezels
- iPhone X production delayed due to optical fingerprint scanner
Smart Siri Speaker
- Speaker has been delayed until late 2017
- Will be powered by an A9 chip variation
- Mass production contract has been given to another Chinese vendor instead of Hon Hai
- Multiple speaker prototypes were in testing including one with screen and camera
- Design similar to that of trashcan Mac Pro
