As soon as Apple releases one amazing product, users are already speculating what the company will do next. These are the five Apple rumours that are set to become a reality very soon.

Redesigned iOS 7

Design genius, Jony Ive, prefers the minimalist approach and it is more than likely that his design preferences are set to spill onto the software design of Apple. Analyst at Forrester Research, Charles Golvin said:

Given the new responsibility of Mr. Ive, I expect the redesign to be significant and focused more on simplifying and improving the experience than on whizzy new bells and whistles.

But only time will tell if this rumour is made into a reality when Apple announces the latest version of the iOS 7 operating software at the Worldwide Developers Conference in San Francisco on June 10.

Cost effective iPhone

Apple used to be the king of the castle but in recent years it has lost some market share to Samsung and Nokia. Sales have been sluggish for the iPhone with the market becoming saturated and the company is in need of a device that is lighter on consumer pockets.

The cheaper iPhone is expected sooner than you think. Laura DiDio, principal analyst at ITIC said:

The competition in the smartphone market is simply too intense.

The iWatch

Apple CEO Tim Cook has annonced the company is working on some “exciting new product categories.” But the iWatch has not yet been confirmed. Some believe that Cook was relaying a cryptic message and actually talking about the iWatch.

Horace Dediu, Apple analyst at Asymco said:

New product categories … implies new usage methods and usage contexts. This is what Apple has been doing for a few decades so there should be no surprises.

It seems only natural for the company to move into the smart watch industry. Whether the idea is feasible or not is debatable among few.

The iTV

No this is not the Apple TV set-top box that Apple sells. This rumour is regarding an actual TV set or an advanced set-top box that would include live television. There are high expectations for the iTV. It is set to offer a different way for users to purchase and interact with media. Golvin said:

Clearly it has been a focus of Apple’s for a long time to revolutionize the home video consumption experience.

Analysts are expecting the iTV to be launched either the end of this year of the beginning of next year.

A bigger Apple

The new design of the iPhone 5 saw a bigger display screen but the phone size, however, is dwarfed by the likes of Samsung Galaxy’s 5 inch screens.

Some analysts believe that the growing 4G networks translate into users viewing movies and TV shows on their phones, and this could prompt Apple to follow. Although Apple has never been much of a follower. According to Asymco’s Dediu:

Management comments suggest that they tested various screen sizes and found the current size to be the largest usable with one hand. I can only assume that one hand use remains a design criteria for the iPhone.

Part of Apple’s appeal is its sleek design and minimlaist nature, making it bigger may not be the best idea.

[Source: CNN Money]